(Part 01)
The village of Highfinch sits just on the edge of the Pepperstock Hills and the Lily Green Hollows Golf Club separates the village from the Hamlet of Lily Green, and the combination of those two and Kingfisherbridge made up the parish of St Martins.
Among the residents of Highfinch was Lorraine Weaving, a beautiful 29 year old with hazel eyes, 5 foot 7 inches tall, athletically built and completely bald.
She was completely devoid of any hair at all, no eyebrows, body hair and as everyone was always asking her, nothing down there as well.
And the answer to the other question she was always being asked, was that she fell out of a tree when she was six.
Lorraine was originally born in Childean, but in her 29 years she had lived all over the Finchbottom Vale which nestles comfortably between the Ancient Dancingdean Forest to the south and the rolling Pepperstock Hills in the north, those who are lucky enough to live there think of it as the rose between two thorns.
Throughout its history the Finchbottom Vale was largely dependent on agriculture and so it remained into the 21st century but many and varied occupations and endeavour’s thrived alongside the traditional rural livelihood’s but it was in agriculture that the Weaving family had earned their livings for centuries but Lorraine, who loved her family and the Vale in equal measure, decided pretty early on in her life that agriculture was not for her.
She could have chosen almost any Town or Village in the Vale to start her change of career but she chose Highfinch, partly because she had a great aunt living in the village who offered her a roof over her head but mainly because she held a particular affinity for the village because it was in Hawks Wood where she parted company with her hair.
When Lorraine Weaving took over as practice manager of the Highfinch Surgery she quickly made new friends as she made her mark in her quiet and unassuming way and Lorraine was well liked by staff and patients alike and she firmly believed she had found her niche.
So she had a nice little house in the village a job that she loved and wonderful friends and she was as content as she had ever been, but all of that changed on the 1st of July when she met Captain Peter Loosemore.
He was at the surgery with one of his regiment, Sgt Paul Russell, who had been severely wounded by an IED in Afghanistan, and he was a double amputee, his left leg had gone below the knee and his right just above it.
He was there for a physio appointment and the Captain was there for moral support.
But the meeting left the Captain and the Practice Manager completely smitten.
There second meeting was two days later at the Annual Finchbottom Vale Health Care Summer Ball at the Clayton Manor Hotel in the village of Clayton where they fell deeper.
But straight after the Ball he had to return to Barracks as the Regiment was deploying to Afghanistan.
They didn’t have their first date until after his short but bloody tour.
(Part 02)
The first of many dates for Lorraine and Peter was in Purplemere but it wasn’t until after a carefully planned supper at her house in Highfinch that they made love for the first time
And as they lay panting in the afterglow Lorraine said breathlessly.
“Oh Peter, I love you”
And in response he kissed her hot panting mouth and replied.
“I love you too”
That was an entirely unexpected outcome for Lorraine, the thought that she loved him had never even crossed her mind.
She knew that she liked him from the first moment she met him but was that love?
To her great relief Peter said that he loved her too, but did he?
In the post coital hours they discussed at length the implications of their declarations and the basis on which they made them.
The outcome of their deliberations was that they were indeed in love and were victims of love at first sight.
This was something they had both heard of but didn’t actually believe was possible in reality.
They thought it was just the stuff of Romantic comedies.
However the implications of their joint declarations were self-evident and before they made love for a second time Peter made and Lorraine accepted his proposal of marriage.
Peter had never felt so proud and Lorraine had never known such happiness.
The wedding date was set for May 21st and would take place in St Martin’s church in Highfinch, and the ceremony would be performed by Jenna Lawton.
Her parents were ecstatic when Lorraine broke the news to them and when she introduced Peter to them they fell in love with him as well.
Lorraine Weaving, slender a tall girl, athletically built with a lovely shape and stunning legs and her mother was just an older version of her daughter apart from the bald head.
Lorraine was thirty years old but looked much younger and her mum was beginning to think the day would never come when she could hand down to her daughter her own wedding dress.
Lorraine had been a happy singleton, and content to be so until the day when she walked into the waiting room of the Highfinch Surgery and met Captain Peter Loosemore.
Her mum handed Lorraine the dress box and she said
“You are the spit of me when I got married, I’d love you to wear this”
“What is it?” Lorraine asked
“Open it and see” she replied
Lorraine opened the box and her eyes widened as she unfolded, first the tissue and then the garment
“It’s beautiful” she said with tears welling up in her eyes
“Absolutely beautiful”
When she put it on it was a perfect fit and it was her mums turn to cry as her beautiful daughter wore her mother’s beautiful wedding dress.
Lorraine’s parents stayed at her house on the night before the wedding and Peter stayed at a nearby Hotel, The Montague Beaumont.
But at about 9 o’clock she put on her raincoat and said to her parents
“I’m just going out for a bit”
“Is everything ok love?” her dad asked
“Yes dad” she replied “I just need some air”
“Don’t be late back” her mum said “big day tomorrow”
“Don’t worry I won’t be late to bed” she replied and closed the door.
(Part 03)
Lorraine left her parents in her house and drove the three miles to the Montague Beaumont Hotel and went upstairs to room twelve and knocked on the door.
“Come in” he called and she opened the door.
Peter was lying on the bed in his dressing gown watching TV.
“Hello soldier boy” Lorraine said in her best London street walker voice.
“Hello darling” he said as she walked over to his side of the bed and kissed him.
“What are doing here?” he asked
Lorraine stood in front of the window and drew the curtains.
“I’ve come to show you what I’ll be wearing tomorrow” she said as she undid the belt on her raincoat
“I thought it was bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding day”
“Well traditionally yes” she said “but this is for the groom’s eyes only”
And Lorraine let the coat fall to the floor.
Peter gasped as he looked at her standing with her back to him wearing white stockings, suspenders and a silk teddy.
“Do you think it will be bad luck to see me like this?” she asked coyly as she turned around to face him.
“Oh no not at all” he said “I think the opposite is true”
“I think you might be right because you’re definitely going to get lucky” she said and joined him on the bed.
After they had finished she cuddled up close to her husband to be and he asked
“Can we do it like that again tomorrow night?”
“Tomorrow night you can have me in the dress” Lorraine replied
Afterwards he completely undressed her and then he made love to her like he did the first time when they first declared their love for each other.
On a sunny May afternoon beautiful Practice Manager Lorraine Weaving married Captain Peter Loosemore of the Downshire Light Infantry at St Martin’s church in the village of Highfinch.
She looked even more stunning than usual with her hairless head surmounted by yellow flowers and her veil and wearing her mother’s wedding dress.
In line with tradition her skin flushed pink on her big day.
Lorraine was thirty years old but looked much younger and her mother was so happy on her daughter’s wedding day that she cried all through the ceremony.
Outside the church when the bride and groom emerged there was a traditional military honour guard and when she saw Sgt Russell standing to attention with his comrades, she smiled because it was Paul who inadvertently introduced them.
But the amount of tears shed on the day of her daughter’s wedding were surpassed tenfold on the day Lorraine told her mother she was pregnant.
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
Tuesday, 28 March 2017
Tales from the Finchbottom Vale – (29) Love at a Canter
(Part 01)
When the Mornington Estate exercised its option to purchase Mornington Field from the MOD it also acquired all the buildings and infrastructure on the airfield itself as well as 29 houses in the village formally used as quarters for military personnel.
Plans were immediately drawn up to optimize the newly acquired assets the moment the property was formally handed over on the 1st of June.
The guardians of the estate are the St George family and the head of which is Baron Gabriel St George.
His architect Scott Collier was tasked with designing appropriate conversions to maximize the potential returns, and Ray Walker who dealt with all thing estate maintenance wise was responsible for getting the old Air force housing stock occupied ASAP.
Ray worked tirelessly to that end to have not just the first six houses ready within the month as originally promised, but eight, which were handed over on the 6th of July, two days earlier than forecast. .
Gabriel was then able to instruct Lyndon-Sanders Properties of Shallowfield to find tenants.
Priority was to be given to local people or people with ties to the area or those who worked in some capacity for the estate such as agriculture and the brewery.
Other than that they were to be rented with the only condition being that it had to be the tenant’s primary residence.
Gabriel was always conscious of creating a ghost town of professionals who live and work in Town all week and only return to the village on the weekend.
One such person to benefit from Gabriel St Georges policy was Hayley Gwilym who worked for the Jeffrey and Teague Veterinary Practice.
The Jeffrey and Teague Veterinary Practice had been fulfilling the Veterinary needs of the Finchbottom Vale inhabitants since God was a boy and it was still going strong and they had Surgery’s all over the Vale and beyond as well as a veterinary Hospital in Shallowfield.
Hayley had joined Jeffrey and Teague as soon as she had qualified and was mentored by senior partner Robin Jeffrey.
But after 5 years he had retired and was living in Dulcet’s Mill, one of the three remaining Mornington Windmills.
She loved working in a rural practice and Mornington was her dream job.
Which meant for the most part it was just her and the other senior Ian Teague who she liked very much and Lindsay Cooper who was the veterinary nurse who was fast becoming a close friend and together they also had to do their share at the Shallowfield Hospital.
Moving to Mornington was manna from heaven for her, she loved the village but never dared to imagine that she would actually get to live there one day in all its chocolate box perfection.
And on the day she moved into number 20, Military Row and she closed the front door behind her she punched the air.
So not only did she love where she lived she also loved where she worked and although she was only 29 years old she had high hopes of taking over as senior Vet when Ian Teague retired.
(Part 02)
So her professional life was on track and with her move to Mornington so was her personal life, at least in part the only fly in the ointment being her love life.
Because she had always planned that she would be all loved up and in a stable relationship by the time she was 30 and that deadline was barely a month away.
Hayley was a tall girl just shy of 6 feet, with a happy smiling face and rosy cheeks and short blonde curls.
Her height had always been a bugbear for her relationship wise because she always seemed to attract small men who clearly saw her as a challenge.
In truth it was difficult in her job to meet suitable candidates most of the men she met were either married or attached and the ones that weren’t were clearly unattached for good reason.
The other problem was that even if she did meet someone eligible and not vertically challenged she wasn’t always seen in the most favourable light when covered in muck or with her arm upside a cow’s rear end.
Life for Hayley Gwilym as the resident Vet in Mornington meant a lot of her calls were to Local Farms in and around the village, Manor, Mereside, Smithfield’s, Windmill, Wood Hill and Vale Farms but her territory stretched much father which was why on a sunny morning in August she was driving to Copper Beech Farm in the Dulcets.
The Dulcets consisted of a collection of villages and hamlets such as Dulcet Meadow, Dulcet St Mary, Dulcet Green and Dulcet-on-Brooke to name but a few, and it was a predominantly rural area.
She drove into the cobbled yard of Copper Beech Farm and was greeted by the owner Anthony Holmes, a tall slight figure with sandy hair and hazel eyes, who was the new owner and only arrived a few months earlier.
It wasn’t a big yard as farm yards go but it was a very neat and tidy one thanks to his farm manager Charlotte Clode.
“Hello Hayley” Anthony said “What brings you here this morning”
“Injured horse”
“Oh well you’ll find Charlotte in the stables I expect” he said
“Ok thanks” she responded just as a tall and skinny 22 year old waif with pixie cut straw coloured hair appeared from the stable block.
A look passed between Charlotte and Anthony and it was obvious to Hayley that there was something smouldering between the two of them but nothing seemed to have happened as yet.
“Hi Charlotte” she said “Where’s the patient?”
“Hello Hayley, he’s in his stall”
“Oh ok so who am I seeing today?”
“Hitch” Charlotte replied “He has a rather nasty gash on his face”
“I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of this old chap” she said as she approached the stall and a slightly battered grey.
“No he’s not been with us long” Charlotte replied
“Well you’ve certainly been in the wars haven’t you fella” Hayley said as she approached then directed a question at Charlotte
“What happened?”
“Luke was riding …”
“Luke?” Hayley interrupted
“Yes Luke Barrowman, the owner, he was riding along the Broad Path through Brownhill Woods when someone on a mountain bike crossed the path at speed and caused him to rear up and he cut his face in the bushes”
“Well most of the cuts are superficial but this one will need stapling so I’ll need your help with that”
(Part 03)
Hayley administered a local anaesthetic and the Charlotte held Hitch’s head while the she went to work on his wounds and finally applied a dressing and when she had finished she asked
“So what became of the rider? I assume he was unseated”
“Yes quite a nasty fall” Charlotte said “he’s quite badly banged up”
“All finished with you fella” she said patting the horses neck
“But I can’t do anything for your rider”
As she and Charlotte left the stall a very tall man, taller than Hayley by six inches, very good looking, with receding blonde hair and Robert Redford eyes, was talking with Doctor Browning as they left the tack room.
“You need to rest, let me drive you home”
“I know I need to take it easy Doc, I just want to see my horse”
“Is that the rider?” Hayley whispered
“Yes he’s the one that you can’t do anything for” she whispered back
“Oh I don’t know though let me get the Ketamine” she retorted
“You’re a shocker” Charlotte said and they both laughed
“Are you coming in for a coffee?” Charlotte asked
“Yes but I’ll catch you up” she replied then in a whisper she added,
“I need to try out my bedside manner”
“You really are a shocker”
“Hello Mr Barrowman I’m Hayley Gwilym let me explain what I’ve done for Hitch” she said while Charlotte Clode went inside her flat and boiled the kettle.
She lived in a converted part of the stable block, which had a bedroom, a sitting room, a small kitchen area and a toilet and shower, it was only a small place but she loved it.
She was just pouring the hot water when she heard Hayley say
“I’ll be back in a couple of days to check the staples and redress as necessary”
“Phwoah” Hayley exclaimed when she appeared
“He’s nice isn’t he?” Charlotte said
“Yes he is”
“And he’s single” she added
“Really?”
“You sound interested” Charlotte observed
“Who wouldn’t be, he’s gorgeous, well I say who wouldn’t but you really wouldn’t obviously because your heart already belongs to another”
“I don’t know what you mean” she replied coyly
“Oh I think you do”
“Our relationship is purely professional” Charlotte protested
“That’s as maybe but you knew exactly who I was talking about” Hayley said and thought professional relationship or not they would be a couple by Christmas.
Half an hour later after she drank her coffee she stood up to leave and thanked Charlotte.
As she stood at the door she noticed Luke Barrowman trying to get into his car.
“What does he think he’s playing at?” she said and shot out of the door
“What are you doing you silly man you’re not fit to drive”
“It’s not far, I only live in Dulcet St Mary” he protested
“I’m going your way I’ll drop you off” Hayley said
“You don’t have to”
“Well I’m doing it so get in” she ordered
“Has anyone told you that you’re very bossy?” he asked
“Yes, almost everyone” Hayley said “Which is probably why I live alone”
She settled him in the car and then walked back to Charlotte and picked up her bag and kissed Charlottes cheek.
“Got to go hun, the Ketamine’s starting to take effect”
“Alright but treat him gently” Charlotte said
(Part 04)
Hayley drove out of the yard before turning into the lane and asked
“Why didn’t you go with Doctor Browning? When he offered to drive you home”
“I wanted to check on Hitch” he replied flatly
“Well that’s all very admirable but you clearly can’t drive” she said though he didn’t respond further and after five minutes of silence she asked
“Why Hitch?”
“What?”
“Why is the horse called Hitch?”
“Oh I see” he said “It’s short for Hitchcock”
“Robert or Alfred?” Hayley asked
“Who’s Robert Hitchcock?”
“A fat ginger boy who used to bully me at middle school” she replied
“Really? Someone used to bully you?” he asked in disbelief
“Yes I was a very delicate little thing” she said
“God what happened?”
“Watch it” she said “I carry a humane killer in my bag”
“I don’t doubt that for a moment” Luke said and then laughed until it was quickly curtailed by a wince.
“Ow” he exclaimed and held his ribs.
“See that’s what happens when you’re cheeky” Hayley said with a chuckle then she added a few minutes later
“So he’s named after Alfred then?”
“Yes”
“How come?” she asked.
“Oh that’s obvious he’s my favourite director”
“Really? Mine too” she said
“Oh” he exclaimed in surprise and asked
“What’s your favourite film?”
“That’s a difficult question” she said thoughtfully “I particularly like Marnie, but generally I like the old ones, Young and Innocent, 39 Steps, or the Lady Vanishes”
“Good choices” he said
“What about you?”
“Well I agree with you it is difficult but if I had to choose just one it would have to be Rear Window” Luke said
“That is a good one” she agreed
“So when you’re not watching old movies or falling off horses what do you do?” She asked “For a living I mean”
“Well I’m actually a film director myself” he said “I work for Peter Lutchford’s company over at the Purplemere Studios”
“Wow I know Peter” she said “I’m friends with his sister Amanda, we ride together sometimes when she’s not away filming”
“I ride with her sometimes as well” he said “it’s certainly a small world”
Hayley was just about to comment when Luke said
“Oh here we are, this is me”
Hayley pulled up at the kerb and Luke got out then he leant in through the window and thanked her for the lift and the enjoyable company.
“No problem” she replied “I’ll check in on Hitch in a couple of days.
Good to her word Hayley drove back into the cobbled yard of Copper Beech Farm on Friday morning and was met by the farm manager Charlotte Clode.
“Hi Hayley” she called as the vet got out of her car.
“Have you come to check up on Hitch?”
“Yes, how’s he doing?” Hayley asked
“He’s doing fine”
“That’s good”
“You’ve missed Luke, if you were hoping to check him out again”
“Oh that’s a shame” she said minding the fact more than she showed.
“He’s been back though?”
“Yes he was here at 7 o’clock this morning before he went to work” Charlotte explained
Hayley removed the dressing and examined Hitch’s wound and was very pleased with it but redressed it again.
She then sat and had a coffee with Charlotte.
“So when will you be back to see him?” she asked
“I’ll probably leave it a few days” Hayley replied
“Luke will be here on Sunday afternoon” Charlotte revealed
“Sunday it is then” she replied and laughed
(Part 05)
Hayley wasn’t working on Sunday but after reading the Sunday Paper’s and attending St Winifred’s she set off towards the Dulcet’s.
While she was reading that Sunday’s Abbottsford Clarion she had spotted something interesting in the entertainment section and a plan began to formulate in her mind.
When she arrived at the farm she was disappointed to find the yard was empty so she parked the car and walked towards the stables.
Once inside she headed for Hitch’s stall and when she saw him she said
“Hello big fella, how are you doing today?”
“I’m doing fine” a voice said and Hayley almost jumped out of her skin and Luke Barrowman, who was sitting in the corner out of sight drinking a mug of tea, roared with laughter.
“You frightened the life out of me” she said and laughed as well
“I’m sorry but I couldn’t resist” he said between guffaws
Having passed Hitch fit for light exercise Luke walked her back to her car and she said casually
“I read in the Abbottsford Clarion this morning that there’s a Hitchcock retrospective at the Tivoli all next week”
“Yes that’s right” Luke said
“Well I’m going to be staying at my sisters in Abbottsford next weekend and she’s a bit of a philistine and doesn’t like black and white films, so do you fancy going?” she asked “Strangers on a Train, Suspicion and Psycho”
“Yes that would be nice” Luke said
“I’ll meet you outside the theatre at 4.30, then” she said and gave him her business card with her mobile number on it.
“Call me if there is a change of plan, bye Luke” She said and drove off.
And as she drove into the lane she complimented herself on her handling of the situation.
She also chastised herself for telling him a little white lie regarding her movements on the following weekend as she was not in fact staying with her sister that weekend but her hastily arranged plans would now necessitate her speaking to her sister and inviting herself to stay for the weekend.
She didn’t think that lying was a really appropriate way a starting a relationship but
“needs must when the devil drives” she said out loud, after all he was rather gorgeous and single to boot, so it was worth the tiniest of white lies to ensure he didn’t slip through her fingers.
She was telling the truth about her sister not liking black and white movies though.
Time hung very heavy during the following week despite the fact that she was incredibly busy and was run ragged as she was bounced from pillar to post all over the vale.
So when Friday came to a close and it was time to hang up her wellies for the weekend the moment was greeted with some relief.
After a long relaxing hot bath and a good night’s sleep she left for Abbottsford early on Saturday morning and gave her sister Julie a very rude awakening who then had to attend to Hayley’s hair, nails and make up.
(Part 06)
The Tivoli theatre was an old cinema originally built in the nineteen twenties.
At that time it was the only cinema for twenty miles in any direction so Abbottsford was the envy of the district, by the late seventies however films had gone out of fashion and the theatre was closed.
It was in disuse for more than ten years, it was however spared the indignity of becoming a bingo hall as many a fine picture house had when the cinema revival happened, Chris Bourne, a local man made good, who like many, had fond memories of the Tivoli, mainly associated with courting, restored the theatre to its former glory with the help and support of the Mornington Estate.
Ironically it was the advent of satellite television and video rental, supposed to give us all so much choice of home viewing, which seemed to spark the revival.
It was feared for a while that the renovations would be in vain as a new multiplex cinema was opened in the new Phoenix shopping center development.
But Chris Bourne was unperturbed and decided that the Tivoli should specialize in classic movies and retrospectives.
As a result people traveled from miles around, from all over Downshire and beyond, as they did in the twenties and thirties.
The theatre was located in the older part of town in what used to be the high street.
There were no longer any shops of note in the high street, they had long since moved into the Phoenix center and when the Abbottsford ring road was opened the High street was pedestrianized and this action inadvertently created a sort of leisure haven.
Where once the road had run were now benches, planters, ornamental lights and even a fountain.
The vacant shops had for some time been occupied by a collection of restaurants, fast food outlet's, bars, café’s and wine bars.
The only premises not connected to food or drink were charity shops, craft shops, second hand book shops, two art galleries and of course the Tivoli Theatre.
Hayley was early, which wasn’t like her at all, but it was worse than that she was twenty minutes early on that occasion but as she walked past the fountain she spotted Luke, who was also early.
“He’s keen” she thought to herself “that’s quite cute”
But after discovering her date was also early she hid behind the fountain because although she liked the fact that he was keen she didn’t want to give him the impression that she was.
From the safety of her hiding place she watched him sit at one of the outside tables at Luigi’s Café just opposite the Tivoli.
He ordered a drink and took out a newspaper but in the ten minutes she watched him sitting there it appeared he was struggling to concentrate because he kept folding and putting it down on the table the picking it up again, and he repeated that several times.
“That really is sweet” she thought and giggled.
Then a young woman walked up to him, an attractive brunette and they hugged, and it was a long hug then Luke gestured to an empty chair and she woman sat and then they chatted for a few minutes which was when she decided she didn’t care what kind of impression she gave him she was going over now to rescue him from the interloper.
So she walked around the long way, approaching him on his blind side and stopped in his peripheral vision almost immediately he turned around and seemed surprised to see her.
“Hi.” She said smiling broadly “You’re early.”
He stood up.
“Hi” Luke said and gazed at her speechless as if transfixed, and then he suddenly realized he was staring.
“It would appear Julie did a good job” she thought to herself
“Um this is Katie” He said snapping out of his trance “My sister”
Luke ordered drinks for Hayley and his sister and they laughed and joked for the next ten minutes until Luke suggested that he went to buy the tickets while Hayley finished her drink.
“That’s a good idea” She said and while he was gone Katie said
“You’ve made a big impression on him”
“Really?”
“Yes, he’s talked of little else all week” Katie
“I hope I can live up to the billing” Hayley said nervously
“Don’t worry” she replied “if the look on his face was anything to go by you already have”
When Luke returned Katie said her goodbyes and as they watched her walk away Hayley boldly slipped her hand into his and they turned their gaze upon each other smiled and made their way across to the theatre.
When the Mornington Estate exercised its option to purchase Mornington Field from the MOD it also acquired all the buildings and infrastructure on the airfield itself as well as 29 houses in the village formally used as quarters for military personnel.
Plans were immediately drawn up to optimize the newly acquired assets the moment the property was formally handed over on the 1st of June.
The guardians of the estate are the St George family and the head of which is Baron Gabriel St George.
His architect Scott Collier was tasked with designing appropriate conversions to maximize the potential returns, and Ray Walker who dealt with all thing estate maintenance wise was responsible for getting the old Air force housing stock occupied ASAP.
Ray worked tirelessly to that end to have not just the first six houses ready within the month as originally promised, but eight, which were handed over on the 6th of July, two days earlier than forecast. .
Gabriel was then able to instruct Lyndon-Sanders Properties of Shallowfield to find tenants.
Priority was to be given to local people or people with ties to the area or those who worked in some capacity for the estate such as agriculture and the brewery.
Other than that they were to be rented with the only condition being that it had to be the tenant’s primary residence.
Gabriel was always conscious of creating a ghost town of professionals who live and work in Town all week and only return to the village on the weekend.
One such person to benefit from Gabriel St Georges policy was Hayley Gwilym who worked for the Jeffrey and Teague Veterinary Practice.
The Jeffrey and Teague Veterinary Practice had been fulfilling the Veterinary needs of the Finchbottom Vale inhabitants since God was a boy and it was still going strong and they had Surgery’s all over the Vale and beyond as well as a veterinary Hospital in Shallowfield.
Hayley had joined Jeffrey and Teague as soon as she had qualified and was mentored by senior partner Robin Jeffrey.
But after 5 years he had retired and was living in Dulcet’s Mill, one of the three remaining Mornington Windmills.
She loved working in a rural practice and Mornington was her dream job.
Which meant for the most part it was just her and the other senior Ian Teague who she liked very much and Lindsay Cooper who was the veterinary nurse who was fast becoming a close friend and together they also had to do their share at the Shallowfield Hospital.
Moving to Mornington was manna from heaven for her, she loved the village but never dared to imagine that she would actually get to live there one day in all its chocolate box perfection.
And on the day she moved into number 20, Military Row and she closed the front door behind her she punched the air.
So not only did she love where she lived she also loved where she worked and although she was only 29 years old she had high hopes of taking over as senior Vet when Ian Teague retired.
(Part 02)
So her professional life was on track and with her move to Mornington so was her personal life, at least in part the only fly in the ointment being her love life.
Because she had always planned that she would be all loved up and in a stable relationship by the time she was 30 and that deadline was barely a month away.
Hayley was a tall girl just shy of 6 feet, with a happy smiling face and rosy cheeks and short blonde curls.
Her height had always been a bugbear for her relationship wise because she always seemed to attract small men who clearly saw her as a challenge.
In truth it was difficult in her job to meet suitable candidates most of the men she met were either married or attached and the ones that weren’t were clearly unattached for good reason.
The other problem was that even if she did meet someone eligible and not vertically challenged she wasn’t always seen in the most favourable light when covered in muck or with her arm upside a cow’s rear end.
Life for Hayley Gwilym as the resident Vet in Mornington meant a lot of her calls were to Local Farms in and around the village, Manor, Mereside, Smithfield’s, Windmill, Wood Hill and Vale Farms but her territory stretched much father which was why on a sunny morning in August she was driving to Copper Beech Farm in the Dulcets.
The Dulcets consisted of a collection of villages and hamlets such as Dulcet Meadow, Dulcet St Mary, Dulcet Green and Dulcet-on-Brooke to name but a few, and it was a predominantly rural area.
She drove into the cobbled yard of Copper Beech Farm and was greeted by the owner Anthony Holmes, a tall slight figure with sandy hair and hazel eyes, who was the new owner and only arrived a few months earlier.
It wasn’t a big yard as farm yards go but it was a very neat and tidy one thanks to his farm manager Charlotte Clode.
“Hello Hayley” Anthony said “What brings you here this morning”
“Injured horse”
“Oh well you’ll find Charlotte in the stables I expect” he said
“Ok thanks” she responded just as a tall and skinny 22 year old waif with pixie cut straw coloured hair appeared from the stable block.
A look passed between Charlotte and Anthony and it was obvious to Hayley that there was something smouldering between the two of them but nothing seemed to have happened as yet.
“Hi Charlotte” she said “Where’s the patient?”
“Hello Hayley, he’s in his stall”
“Oh ok so who am I seeing today?”
“Hitch” Charlotte replied “He has a rather nasty gash on his face”
“I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of this old chap” she said as she approached the stall and a slightly battered grey.
“No he’s not been with us long” Charlotte replied
“Well you’ve certainly been in the wars haven’t you fella” Hayley said as she approached then directed a question at Charlotte
“What happened?”
“Luke was riding …”
“Luke?” Hayley interrupted
“Yes Luke Barrowman, the owner, he was riding along the Broad Path through Brownhill Woods when someone on a mountain bike crossed the path at speed and caused him to rear up and he cut his face in the bushes”
“Well most of the cuts are superficial but this one will need stapling so I’ll need your help with that”
(Part 03)
Hayley administered a local anaesthetic and the Charlotte held Hitch’s head while the she went to work on his wounds and finally applied a dressing and when she had finished she asked
“So what became of the rider? I assume he was unseated”
“Yes quite a nasty fall” Charlotte said “he’s quite badly banged up”
“All finished with you fella” she said patting the horses neck
“But I can’t do anything for your rider”
As she and Charlotte left the stall a very tall man, taller than Hayley by six inches, very good looking, with receding blonde hair and Robert Redford eyes, was talking with Doctor Browning as they left the tack room.
“You need to rest, let me drive you home”
“I know I need to take it easy Doc, I just want to see my horse”
“Is that the rider?” Hayley whispered
“Yes he’s the one that you can’t do anything for” she whispered back
“Oh I don’t know though let me get the Ketamine” she retorted
“You’re a shocker” Charlotte said and they both laughed
“Are you coming in for a coffee?” Charlotte asked
“Yes but I’ll catch you up” she replied then in a whisper she added,
“I need to try out my bedside manner”
“You really are a shocker”
“Hello Mr Barrowman I’m Hayley Gwilym let me explain what I’ve done for Hitch” she said while Charlotte Clode went inside her flat and boiled the kettle.
She lived in a converted part of the stable block, which had a bedroom, a sitting room, a small kitchen area and a toilet and shower, it was only a small place but she loved it.
She was just pouring the hot water when she heard Hayley say
“I’ll be back in a couple of days to check the staples and redress as necessary”
“Phwoah” Hayley exclaimed when she appeared
“He’s nice isn’t he?” Charlotte said
“Yes he is”
“And he’s single” she added
“Really?”
“You sound interested” Charlotte observed
“Who wouldn’t be, he’s gorgeous, well I say who wouldn’t but you really wouldn’t obviously because your heart already belongs to another”
“I don’t know what you mean” she replied coyly
“Oh I think you do”
“Our relationship is purely professional” Charlotte protested
“That’s as maybe but you knew exactly who I was talking about” Hayley said and thought professional relationship or not they would be a couple by Christmas.
Half an hour later after she drank her coffee she stood up to leave and thanked Charlotte.
As she stood at the door she noticed Luke Barrowman trying to get into his car.
“What does he think he’s playing at?” she said and shot out of the door
“What are you doing you silly man you’re not fit to drive”
“It’s not far, I only live in Dulcet St Mary” he protested
“I’m going your way I’ll drop you off” Hayley said
“You don’t have to”
“Well I’m doing it so get in” she ordered
“Has anyone told you that you’re very bossy?” he asked
“Yes, almost everyone” Hayley said “Which is probably why I live alone”
She settled him in the car and then walked back to Charlotte and picked up her bag and kissed Charlottes cheek.
“Got to go hun, the Ketamine’s starting to take effect”
“Alright but treat him gently” Charlotte said
(Part 04)
Hayley drove out of the yard before turning into the lane and asked
“Why didn’t you go with Doctor Browning? When he offered to drive you home”
“I wanted to check on Hitch” he replied flatly
“Well that’s all very admirable but you clearly can’t drive” she said though he didn’t respond further and after five minutes of silence she asked
“Why Hitch?”
“What?”
“Why is the horse called Hitch?”
“Oh I see” he said “It’s short for Hitchcock”
“Robert or Alfred?” Hayley asked
“Who’s Robert Hitchcock?”
“A fat ginger boy who used to bully me at middle school” she replied
“Really? Someone used to bully you?” he asked in disbelief
“Yes I was a very delicate little thing” she said
“God what happened?”
“Watch it” she said “I carry a humane killer in my bag”
“I don’t doubt that for a moment” Luke said and then laughed until it was quickly curtailed by a wince.
“Ow” he exclaimed and held his ribs.
“See that’s what happens when you’re cheeky” Hayley said with a chuckle then she added a few minutes later
“So he’s named after Alfred then?”
“Yes”
“How come?” she asked.
“Oh that’s obvious he’s my favourite director”
“Really? Mine too” she said
“Oh” he exclaimed in surprise and asked
“What’s your favourite film?”
“That’s a difficult question” she said thoughtfully “I particularly like Marnie, but generally I like the old ones, Young and Innocent, 39 Steps, or the Lady Vanishes”
“Good choices” he said
“What about you?”
“Well I agree with you it is difficult but if I had to choose just one it would have to be Rear Window” Luke said
“That is a good one” she agreed
“So when you’re not watching old movies or falling off horses what do you do?” She asked “For a living I mean”
“Well I’m actually a film director myself” he said “I work for Peter Lutchford’s company over at the Purplemere Studios”
“Wow I know Peter” she said “I’m friends with his sister Amanda, we ride together sometimes when she’s not away filming”
“I ride with her sometimes as well” he said “it’s certainly a small world”
Hayley was just about to comment when Luke said
“Oh here we are, this is me”
Hayley pulled up at the kerb and Luke got out then he leant in through the window and thanked her for the lift and the enjoyable company.
“No problem” she replied “I’ll check in on Hitch in a couple of days.
Good to her word Hayley drove back into the cobbled yard of Copper Beech Farm on Friday morning and was met by the farm manager Charlotte Clode.
“Hi Hayley” she called as the vet got out of her car.
“Have you come to check up on Hitch?”
“Yes, how’s he doing?” Hayley asked
“He’s doing fine”
“That’s good”
“You’ve missed Luke, if you were hoping to check him out again”
“Oh that’s a shame” she said minding the fact more than she showed.
“He’s been back though?”
“Yes he was here at 7 o’clock this morning before he went to work” Charlotte explained
Hayley removed the dressing and examined Hitch’s wound and was very pleased with it but redressed it again.
She then sat and had a coffee with Charlotte.
“So when will you be back to see him?” she asked
“I’ll probably leave it a few days” Hayley replied
“Luke will be here on Sunday afternoon” Charlotte revealed
“Sunday it is then” she replied and laughed
(Part 05)
Hayley wasn’t working on Sunday but after reading the Sunday Paper’s and attending St Winifred’s she set off towards the Dulcet’s.
While she was reading that Sunday’s Abbottsford Clarion she had spotted something interesting in the entertainment section and a plan began to formulate in her mind.
When she arrived at the farm she was disappointed to find the yard was empty so she parked the car and walked towards the stables.
Once inside she headed for Hitch’s stall and when she saw him she said
“Hello big fella, how are you doing today?”
“I’m doing fine” a voice said and Hayley almost jumped out of her skin and Luke Barrowman, who was sitting in the corner out of sight drinking a mug of tea, roared with laughter.
“You frightened the life out of me” she said and laughed as well
“I’m sorry but I couldn’t resist” he said between guffaws
Having passed Hitch fit for light exercise Luke walked her back to her car and she said casually
“I read in the Abbottsford Clarion this morning that there’s a Hitchcock retrospective at the Tivoli all next week”
“Yes that’s right” Luke said
“Well I’m going to be staying at my sisters in Abbottsford next weekend and she’s a bit of a philistine and doesn’t like black and white films, so do you fancy going?” she asked “Strangers on a Train, Suspicion and Psycho”
“Yes that would be nice” Luke said
“I’ll meet you outside the theatre at 4.30, then” she said and gave him her business card with her mobile number on it.
“Call me if there is a change of plan, bye Luke” She said and drove off.
And as she drove into the lane she complimented herself on her handling of the situation.
She also chastised herself for telling him a little white lie regarding her movements on the following weekend as she was not in fact staying with her sister that weekend but her hastily arranged plans would now necessitate her speaking to her sister and inviting herself to stay for the weekend.
She didn’t think that lying was a really appropriate way a starting a relationship but
“needs must when the devil drives” she said out loud, after all he was rather gorgeous and single to boot, so it was worth the tiniest of white lies to ensure he didn’t slip through her fingers.
She was telling the truth about her sister not liking black and white movies though.
Time hung very heavy during the following week despite the fact that she was incredibly busy and was run ragged as she was bounced from pillar to post all over the vale.
So when Friday came to a close and it was time to hang up her wellies for the weekend the moment was greeted with some relief.
After a long relaxing hot bath and a good night’s sleep she left for Abbottsford early on Saturday morning and gave her sister Julie a very rude awakening who then had to attend to Hayley’s hair, nails and make up.
(Part 06)
The Tivoli theatre was an old cinema originally built in the nineteen twenties.
At that time it was the only cinema for twenty miles in any direction so Abbottsford was the envy of the district, by the late seventies however films had gone out of fashion and the theatre was closed.
It was in disuse for more than ten years, it was however spared the indignity of becoming a bingo hall as many a fine picture house had when the cinema revival happened, Chris Bourne, a local man made good, who like many, had fond memories of the Tivoli, mainly associated with courting, restored the theatre to its former glory with the help and support of the Mornington Estate.
Ironically it was the advent of satellite television and video rental, supposed to give us all so much choice of home viewing, which seemed to spark the revival.
It was feared for a while that the renovations would be in vain as a new multiplex cinema was opened in the new Phoenix shopping center development.
But Chris Bourne was unperturbed and decided that the Tivoli should specialize in classic movies and retrospectives.
As a result people traveled from miles around, from all over Downshire and beyond, as they did in the twenties and thirties.
The theatre was located in the older part of town in what used to be the high street.
There were no longer any shops of note in the high street, they had long since moved into the Phoenix center and when the Abbottsford ring road was opened the High street was pedestrianized and this action inadvertently created a sort of leisure haven.
Where once the road had run were now benches, planters, ornamental lights and even a fountain.
The vacant shops had for some time been occupied by a collection of restaurants, fast food outlet's, bars, café’s and wine bars.
The only premises not connected to food or drink were charity shops, craft shops, second hand book shops, two art galleries and of course the Tivoli Theatre.
Hayley was early, which wasn’t like her at all, but it was worse than that she was twenty minutes early on that occasion but as she walked past the fountain she spotted Luke, who was also early.
“He’s keen” she thought to herself “that’s quite cute”
But after discovering her date was also early she hid behind the fountain because although she liked the fact that he was keen she didn’t want to give him the impression that she was.
From the safety of her hiding place she watched him sit at one of the outside tables at Luigi’s Café just opposite the Tivoli.
He ordered a drink and took out a newspaper but in the ten minutes she watched him sitting there it appeared he was struggling to concentrate because he kept folding and putting it down on the table the picking it up again, and he repeated that several times.
“That really is sweet” she thought and giggled.
Then a young woman walked up to him, an attractive brunette and they hugged, and it was a long hug then Luke gestured to an empty chair and she woman sat and then they chatted for a few minutes which was when she decided she didn’t care what kind of impression she gave him she was going over now to rescue him from the interloper.
So she walked around the long way, approaching him on his blind side and stopped in his peripheral vision almost immediately he turned around and seemed surprised to see her.
“Hi.” She said smiling broadly “You’re early.”
He stood up.
“Hi” Luke said and gazed at her speechless as if transfixed, and then he suddenly realized he was staring.
“It would appear Julie did a good job” she thought to herself
“Um this is Katie” He said snapping out of his trance “My sister”
Luke ordered drinks for Hayley and his sister and they laughed and joked for the next ten minutes until Luke suggested that he went to buy the tickets while Hayley finished her drink.
“That’s a good idea” She said and while he was gone Katie said
“You’ve made a big impression on him”
“Really?”
“Yes, he’s talked of little else all week” Katie
“I hope I can live up to the billing” Hayley said nervously
“Don’t worry” she replied “if the look on his face was anything to go by you already have”
When Luke returned Katie said her goodbyes and as they watched her walk away Hayley boldly slipped her hand into his and they turned their gaze upon each other smiled and made their way across to the theatre.
Mornington-By-Mere – (29) Under the Tree on Christmas Eve
(Part 01)
Mornington-By-Mere is a small country village lying in the Finchbottom Vale nestled between the Ancient Dancingdean Forest and the rolling Pepperstock Hills.
It is a quaint picturesque village, a proper chocolate box picturesque idyll, with a Manor House, 12th Century Church, a Coaching Inn, Windmills, an Old Forge, a Schoolhouse, a River and a Mere.
Corner House aptly stood on the corner of Purplemere Road and West Gate Road in the part of Mornington Village known as Manorside.
There were a number of cottages and small houses on the Purplemere road and Dulcets Lane, but Corner House was a large 8 bedroom Victorian monstrosity which had at one time been the home of the master brewer of the Mornington Brewery.
It was now the Corner Guest House run by affable landlady Kay Richardson assisted by her children Paul 24 and Stephanie 23.
Paul Richardson was tall, almost six foot six, and stick thin with mousy hair and big feet and what leisure time he had, and there wasn’t much, was spent birdwatching, and that would have remained the case had it not been for a serendipitous set of seemingly unrelated circumstances.
It began as a normal Monday at the guest house for Paul who along with his sister were cleaning the vacated rooms.
Monday was normally the worst day because the weekenders had checked out and the rooms needed servicing before the Monday afternoon arrivals.
That Monday however they only had two rooms to do because the other three were still occupied so they took a lot less time to do.
Consequently he was in the hall when the phone rang.
“Corner guest house” he said
“Is that Paul?” the caller asked
“It is”
“Excellent I need to ask a favour” they said “it’s Peter Carter”
Peter Carter was a guest and it transpired that he had gone to have a pint and a sandwich and after having several pints and two sandwiches he realised he had left his wallet back in his room and the favour he was referring to involved Paul collecting his wallet from his bedside table and taking it to the pub.
Had it been a normal Monday he wouldn’t have had the time but on that occasion as it was a lovely Sunny day he was only too happy to oblige, a walk in the autumn sunshine was just what the doctor ordered.
It was a different kind of a Monday at the Old Mill Inn as well because although it was a Monday and the restaurant was closed, instead of being eerily quiet, the kitchen was a hive of activity because on that Monday two new trainee chefs had started work under chef Lorraine Olson and she was putting them through their paces.
Even though Lorraine had to forgo the only day off that she got a week she thought it would be worth it in the long run.
As pleasantly sunny as the walk to the pub was for Paul it paled into darkness compared to what he saw when he stepped into the pub at the precise moment as Cally Wilson exited the kitchen and the trifecta was complete.
(Part 02)
Cally Wilson was only 21 and when she walked into the bar and saw Paul Richardson her heart skipped a beat and when their eyes met they were immediately smitten.
She stood six feet tall with short curly auburn hair, and a very large bust, lovely eyes and a nice smile.
Paul just hovered in the doorway staring at her while Cally who was quiet and reserved was trying to summon the courage to go and say hello but she was beaten to the punch when a middle-aged man walked over to him instead.
She didn’t hear all the conversation but she did hear the middle-aged man say as they separated
“Thank you Paul”
“Paul” she said to herself “I like that name”
However as she thought it, he turned around and went back out the door.
Fortunately for her she was going that way because Cally’s mum had MS and she was just going to pop home to check on her when she ran into Paul.
She rushed out the door so she could see where he went but as she burst through the door she ran straight into him.
“Oh I’m sorry” she said
“That’s ok I was coming back in to ask you something” he said
“Me?” she asked with surprise
“Yes”
“Ask away” Cally said
“Would you like to go out sometime? The cinema maybe?” he asked
“Yes” she replied “I would”
“Great” he said with surprise “When?”
“How about tonight?” She said and that was how it started with a trip to the Cinema in Finchbottom.
The relationship blossomed over the following weeks despite the fact that they didn’t see each other as often as they would have liked.
Cally worked long hours at the restaurant as well as having to help with her mum and the only regular day off she got was a Monday which was Paul’s busiest.
But with Christmas fast approaching they were looking forward to spending more time together
Kay Richardson had worked very hard over the years running the Guest House but to preserve her sanity she had always closed at Christmas so she and her children could have a proper Christmas.
The last guests would check out on the 23rd and the earliest check-in was 3 o’clock on the 27th.
Also the Old Mill Inn restaurant would close on the afternoon of Christmas Eve and would not reopen fully until the following Tuesday.
Cally was particularly looking forward to spending some “private” time with Paul as he had been a little backward in coming forward in the intimacy department.
And although Cally was quiet and reserved she was reaching the point that she would have to take matters into her own hands.
She wasn’t sure how she would achieve it but she had definitely lost patience waiting for him to act so she had no alternative but to take decisive action herself.
It was as she and her friend Tegan were walking to work on Christmas Eve that a plan formed in her mind and a smile not dissimilar to a leer crossed her face.
(Part 03)
Paul spent the early part of the morning of Christmas Eve delivering Christmas gifts and cards to friends and neighbours in the village, and when he had finished he planned to spend the rest of it alone at home listening to Christmas music and watching schmaltzy movies on TV.
His mum and sister were out for the day, the former had driven over to visit a friend in Sharpington and the latter was spending the day with her best friend in Dulcet St Mary.
So everything was going according to plan.
On the afternoon of Christmas Eve the Old Mill Inn was still open but there weren’t many customers left but those that were made enough noise for a crowd.
The kitchen was cleaned down and pristine and Cally had just finished putting the clean cutlery back in the trays in the dining room.
“Anything else you want me to do?” she asked Lorraine
“No you get off home now” she replied and gave her a hug and kiss “Happy Christmas lovely”
“Happy Christmas” she said in response and Lorraine went back into the kitchen.
Her friend Tegan, was small with delicate features and bobbed strawberry blonde hair and was a foot shorter and at least six stones lighter than Cally, was stood up on a chair writing up Saturday’s menu.
“Oy what about me you ginger bint” she shouted
“I’m auburn” she shouted back and went over a picked Tegan off the chair and got her in a bear hug.
“I give in, I give in” she said laughing loudly
“Now give me a kiss” demanded Cally
After exchanging kisses Cally then deposited her back on the chair.
“Happy Christmas Cal” she called as her friend walked away
“Happy Christmas” she called over her shoulder.
As Paul was watching back to back Christmas movies Cally spent the afternoon helping her mum with the preparations for the big day, and then she got changed and set off to walk to Paul’s through the fast settling snow and got there about seven o’clock.
When she arrived she was greeted with the news that Pauls mum and sister were unable to get back to Mornington due to road closures because of the snow.
Paul had put the presents underneath the tree that afternoon, so all evening almost from the moment she arrived, she was like a child.
“Can I open a present?” she asked him every ten minutes.
“Just one, please, please, please”
She was getting on his nerves to be honest and she knew it, so she did it all the more.
She kept picking up the presents, shaking them, squeezing them, and even listening to them.
Finally he relented and as he headed upstairs to the loo he said.
“We can open one present each before we leave for midnight mass”
“Goody” she squealed
When he returned to the lounge he was expecting to find her waiting impatiently to open a present.
But instead he found her lying beneath the tree with wrapping paper loosely draped about her obviously naked body.
“You go first” she said and giggled
“I assume we’re not going to midnight mass” he said
“We’ll if you’d rather go to church than open a present we can” Cally suggested
Once he had un-wrapped his present and thoroughly enjoyed its contents they were too late for midnight mass so they went to bed and went to Church on Christmas morning instead.
Mornington-By-Mere is a small country village lying in the Finchbottom Vale nestled between the Ancient Dancingdean Forest and the rolling Pepperstock Hills.
It is a quaint picturesque village, a proper chocolate box picturesque idyll, with a Manor House, 12th Century Church, a Coaching Inn, Windmills, an Old Forge, a Schoolhouse, a River and a Mere.
Corner House aptly stood on the corner of Purplemere Road and West Gate Road in the part of Mornington Village known as Manorside.
There were a number of cottages and small houses on the Purplemere road and Dulcets Lane, but Corner House was a large 8 bedroom Victorian monstrosity which had at one time been the home of the master brewer of the Mornington Brewery.
It was now the Corner Guest House run by affable landlady Kay Richardson assisted by her children Paul 24 and Stephanie 23.
Paul Richardson was tall, almost six foot six, and stick thin with mousy hair and big feet and what leisure time he had, and there wasn’t much, was spent birdwatching, and that would have remained the case had it not been for a serendipitous set of seemingly unrelated circumstances.
It began as a normal Monday at the guest house for Paul who along with his sister were cleaning the vacated rooms.
Monday was normally the worst day because the weekenders had checked out and the rooms needed servicing before the Monday afternoon arrivals.
That Monday however they only had two rooms to do because the other three were still occupied so they took a lot less time to do.
Consequently he was in the hall when the phone rang.
“Corner guest house” he said
“Is that Paul?” the caller asked
“It is”
“Excellent I need to ask a favour” they said “it’s Peter Carter”
Peter Carter was a guest and it transpired that he had gone to have a pint and a sandwich and after having several pints and two sandwiches he realised he had left his wallet back in his room and the favour he was referring to involved Paul collecting his wallet from his bedside table and taking it to the pub.
Had it been a normal Monday he wouldn’t have had the time but on that occasion as it was a lovely Sunny day he was only too happy to oblige, a walk in the autumn sunshine was just what the doctor ordered.
It was a different kind of a Monday at the Old Mill Inn as well because although it was a Monday and the restaurant was closed, instead of being eerily quiet, the kitchen was a hive of activity because on that Monday two new trainee chefs had started work under chef Lorraine Olson and she was putting them through their paces.
Even though Lorraine had to forgo the only day off that she got a week she thought it would be worth it in the long run.
As pleasantly sunny as the walk to the pub was for Paul it paled into darkness compared to what he saw when he stepped into the pub at the precise moment as Cally Wilson exited the kitchen and the trifecta was complete.
(Part 02)
Cally Wilson was only 21 and when she walked into the bar and saw Paul Richardson her heart skipped a beat and when their eyes met they were immediately smitten.
She stood six feet tall with short curly auburn hair, and a very large bust, lovely eyes and a nice smile.
Paul just hovered in the doorway staring at her while Cally who was quiet and reserved was trying to summon the courage to go and say hello but she was beaten to the punch when a middle-aged man walked over to him instead.
She didn’t hear all the conversation but she did hear the middle-aged man say as they separated
“Thank you Paul”
“Paul” she said to herself “I like that name”
However as she thought it, he turned around and went back out the door.
Fortunately for her she was going that way because Cally’s mum had MS and she was just going to pop home to check on her when she ran into Paul.
She rushed out the door so she could see where he went but as she burst through the door she ran straight into him.
“Oh I’m sorry” she said
“That’s ok I was coming back in to ask you something” he said
“Me?” she asked with surprise
“Yes”
“Ask away” Cally said
“Would you like to go out sometime? The cinema maybe?” he asked
“Yes” she replied “I would”
“Great” he said with surprise “When?”
“How about tonight?” She said and that was how it started with a trip to the Cinema in Finchbottom.
The relationship blossomed over the following weeks despite the fact that they didn’t see each other as often as they would have liked.
Cally worked long hours at the restaurant as well as having to help with her mum and the only regular day off she got was a Monday which was Paul’s busiest.
But with Christmas fast approaching they were looking forward to spending more time together
Kay Richardson had worked very hard over the years running the Guest House but to preserve her sanity she had always closed at Christmas so she and her children could have a proper Christmas.
The last guests would check out on the 23rd and the earliest check-in was 3 o’clock on the 27th.
Also the Old Mill Inn restaurant would close on the afternoon of Christmas Eve and would not reopen fully until the following Tuesday.
Cally was particularly looking forward to spending some “private” time with Paul as he had been a little backward in coming forward in the intimacy department.
And although Cally was quiet and reserved she was reaching the point that she would have to take matters into her own hands.
She wasn’t sure how she would achieve it but she had definitely lost patience waiting for him to act so she had no alternative but to take decisive action herself.
It was as she and her friend Tegan were walking to work on Christmas Eve that a plan formed in her mind and a smile not dissimilar to a leer crossed her face.
(Part 03)
Paul spent the early part of the morning of Christmas Eve delivering Christmas gifts and cards to friends and neighbours in the village, and when he had finished he planned to spend the rest of it alone at home listening to Christmas music and watching schmaltzy movies on TV.
His mum and sister were out for the day, the former had driven over to visit a friend in Sharpington and the latter was spending the day with her best friend in Dulcet St Mary.
So everything was going according to plan.
On the afternoon of Christmas Eve the Old Mill Inn was still open but there weren’t many customers left but those that were made enough noise for a crowd.
The kitchen was cleaned down and pristine and Cally had just finished putting the clean cutlery back in the trays in the dining room.
“Anything else you want me to do?” she asked Lorraine
“No you get off home now” she replied and gave her a hug and kiss “Happy Christmas lovely”
“Happy Christmas” she said in response and Lorraine went back into the kitchen.
Her friend Tegan, was small with delicate features and bobbed strawberry blonde hair and was a foot shorter and at least six stones lighter than Cally, was stood up on a chair writing up Saturday’s menu.
“Oy what about me you ginger bint” she shouted
“I’m auburn” she shouted back and went over a picked Tegan off the chair and got her in a bear hug.
“I give in, I give in” she said laughing loudly
“Now give me a kiss” demanded Cally
After exchanging kisses Cally then deposited her back on the chair.
“Happy Christmas Cal” she called as her friend walked away
“Happy Christmas” she called over her shoulder.
As Paul was watching back to back Christmas movies Cally spent the afternoon helping her mum with the preparations for the big day, and then she got changed and set off to walk to Paul’s through the fast settling snow and got there about seven o’clock.
When she arrived she was greeted with the news that Pauls mum and sister were unable to get back to Mornington due to road closures because of the snow.
Paul had put the presents underneath the tree that afternoon, so all evening almost from the moment she arrived, she was like a child.
“Can I open a present?” she asked him every ten minutes.
“Just one, please, please, please”
She was getting on his nerves to be honest and she knew it, so she did it all the more.
She kept picking up the presents, shaking them, squeezing them, and even listening to them.
Finally he relented and as he headed upstairs to the loo he said.
“We can open one present each before we leave for midnight mass”
“Goody” she squealed
When he returned to the lounge he was expecting to find her waiting impatiently to open a present.
But instead he found her lying beneath the tree with wrapping paper loosely draped about her obviously naked body.
“You go first” she said and giggled
“I assume we’re not going to midnight mass” he said
“We’ll if you’d rather go to church than open a present we can” Cally suggested
Once he had un-wrapped his present and thoroughly enjoyed its contents they were too late for midnight mass so they went to bed and went to Church on Christmas morning instead.
Downshire Diary – (29) The Girl in the Maternity Dress
(Part 01)
It was Christmas Eve and it was understandably busy as Steve Berry stood behind the bar drying glasses and he watched his wife Holly as she walked around the lounge bar talking to the customers as was her usual habit.
He liked it as she walked from table to table, he liked the way the flared skirt moved across her lovely legs and found it quite sensual, she had a less graceful gait than she used to, but Steve still felt a great sense of pride that he was her husband and plus the additional pride that Holly was pregnant, very pregnant in fact.
It had been two years since they had met and she had changed the course of his life entirely.
It was Christmas again and Steve Berry had always had a dislike for it, despite all the jollity.
Unlike many of his Christmas mad friends he’d had no happy Christmas memories to anesthetise him against the season.
His childhood Christmases were memories he would rather have forgotten.
So he never trusted Christmas, he believed that shit lurked beneath the coloured lights and paper chains.
That was until Holly Davis opened his eyes to new possibilities and he realised that Christmas could also magnify joy and through her love Steve had been cured of his Christmas phobia.
After an excess of alcohol and some sneakiness from Holly he found himself working behind the bar in her Uncle Phil’s pub, the Pig and Whistle in Abbeyvale.
He was still, even to that day, uncertain quite how she managed to affect that, but affect it she did and during the ten days he spent working for her, she had turned his life upside down and it culminated at closing time on Christmas Eve as the church bells at St Mary’s chimed midnight, with him wishing her a Merry Christmas and kissing her.
Judging by the way Holly responded Steve hoped that the kiss on Christmas Eve might have been the start of something between them but alas for him it didn’t lead anywhere, immediately at any rate.
Holly had indeed responded to his advance and in fact had been hoping for it, but she knew it was far too soon to throw caution to the wind.
The effects of the kiss proved to be a slow burner which didn’t burst into flames until the early hours of New Year’s Day.
The two years since they first made love, had been very eventful, they became partners in January, engaged at Easter and Married in September.
However it wasn’t only Steve and Holly’s fortunes that had changed over the preceding two years since they had met but so had those of the Pig and Whistle.
It had gone from a rundown dive with one large open bar to a thriving pub with a sports bar, a games room and a smart lounge plus it had a growing reputation as a gastro pub.
The restaurant had always been busy right from the outset but when Steve and Stephanos were in the kitchen, they provided good pub grub and no more, because they didn’t have the repertoire to take it to the next level.
However since Steve and Holly had returned from their Sharpington honeymoon the previous year with Chef Simon Clarke the restaurant had really taken off.
(Part 02)
Simon Clarke had been working at the Granite Hill Country House Hotel where the Berry’s were staying for their honeymoon as a sous chef for an arrogant sadistic bully.
Now he was a Chef in his own right and Steve and Stephanos had grown as cooks under him.
So the reputation of the Pig and Whistles restaurant contributed greatly to the busyness on Christmas Eve.
So on Christmas Eve and Holly, despite being told to rest by Steve and everybody else, was doing her usual walkabout as hostess and as Steve looked at her he sighed because he was so in love with the lovely girl in the maternity dress.
Just like Christmas Eve two years before it was snowing, not as hard, but enough not to want to make any unnecessary journeys.
She had had a twinge or two which she just laughed it off, she said the baby had been really active all day.
“She’s dancing to the Christmas songs” she said to Steve “she really likes the Puppini Sisters”
But by 9 o’clock in the evening it was obvious the twinges were more than the baby Christmas Dancing and she was having actually having contractions.
Luckily Dr Claire Andrews was dining in the restaurant with friends
“Get Doc Andrews” Steve said to Petra
“Ok” she replied and ran off while Steve and one of the regulars helped Holly into the private room at the back of the bar.
“Where is she?” The doctor asked
“In here” Steve called
Dr Andrews threw her car keys to Petra
“Can you get my bag from the car please?”
“Yes doc” she replied
“Ooooooh” Holly exclaimed through gritted teeth “that was a big one”
After Dr Andrews examined her she said
“She’s definitely in labour”
“I’ll call an ambulance” Steve suggested
“No she’s too far along” Claire said “the baby is going to be born here, and quite soon”
“I’d be happier if we got her to hospital” Steve said
“So would I” Dr Andrews replied
“But she’ll never make it to the hospital”
“She’s really too close?” Steve asked
“Yes” Claire replied “so under the circumstance, here is going to have to do”
“Upstairs it is then” Steve said “but the first sign of an angel and three wise men and we’re calling an ambulance”
“Christmas is never dull with Holly” he thought to himself as one by one the remainder of happy customers disappeared into the snowy night amidst a peel of Happy Christmas wishes.
“I have to give her that”
Steve looked out the door as he said goodnight to the last customer and it was still snowing but still not hard.
He locked the doors and went back inside to where the live in staff were sitting, no one wanted to go to bed until the baby had been born.
So they sat around a table in the bar until half past one when Noelle Claire Berry was born.
“How typical of Holly Berry to have the baby on Christmas Day” Steve said with tears in his eyes.
It was Christmas Eve and it was understandably busy as Steve Berry stood behind the bar drying glasses and he watched his wife Holly as she walked around the lounge bar talking to the customers as was her usual habit.
He liked it as she walked from table to table, he liked the way the flared skirt moved across her lovely legs and found it quite sensual, she had a less graceful gait than she used to, but Steve still felt a great sense of pride that he was her husband and plus the additional pride that Holly was pregnant, very pregnant in fact.
It had been two years since they had met and she had changed the course of his life entirely.
It was Christmas again and Steve Berry had always had a dislike for it, despite all the jollity.
Unlike many of his Christmas mad friends he’d had no happy Christmas memories to anesthetise him against the season.
His childhood Christmases were memories he would rather have forgotten.
So he never trusted Christmas, he believed that shit lurked beneath the coloured lights and paper chains.
That was until Holly Davis opened his eyes to new possibilities and he realised that Christmas could also magnify joy and through her love Steve had been cured of his Christmas phobia.
After an excess of alcohol and some sneakiness from Holly he found himself working behind the bar in her Uncle Phil’s pub, the Pig and Whistle in Abbeyvale.
He was still, even to that day, uncertain quite how she managed to affect that, but affect it she did and during the ten days he spent working for her, she had turned his life upside down and it culminated at closing time on Christmas Eve as the church bells at St Mary’s chimed midnight, with him wishing her a Merry Christmas and kissing her.
Judging by the way Holly responded Steve hoped that the kiss on Christmas Eve might have been the start of something between them but alas for him it didn’t lead anywhere, immediately at any rate.
Holly had indeed responded to his advance and in fact had been hoping for it, but she knew it was far too soon to throw caution to the wind.
The effects of the kiss proved to be a slow burner which didn’t burst into flames until the early hours of New Year’s Day.
The two years since they first made love, had been very eventful, they became partners in January, engaged at Easter and Married in September.
However it wasn’t only Steve and Holly’s fortunes that had changed over the preceding two years since they had met but so had those of the Pig and Whistle.
It had gone from a rundown dive with one large open bar to a thriving pub with a sports bar, a games room and a smart lounge plus it had a growing reputation as a gastro pub.
The restaurant had always been busy right from the outset but when Steve and Stephanos were in the kitchen, they provided good pub grub and no more, because they didn’t have the repertoire to take it to the next level.
However since Steve and Holly had returned from their Sharpington honeymoon the previous year with Chef Simon Clarke the restaurant had really taken off.
(Part 02)
Simon Clarke had been working at the Granite Hill Country House Hotel where the Berry’s were staying for their honeymoon as a sous chef for an arrogant sadistic bully.
Now he was a Chef in his own right and Steve and Stephanos had grown as cooks under him.
So the reputation of the Pig and Whistles restaurant contributed greatly to the busyness on Christmas Eve.
So on Christmas Eve and Holly, despite being told to rest by Steve and everybody else, was doing her usual walkabout as hostess and as Steve looked at her he sighed because he was so in love with the lovely girl in the maternity dress.
Just like Christmas Eve two years before it was snowing, not as hard, but enough not to want to make any unnecessary journeys.
She had had a twinge or two which she just laughed it off, she said the baby had been really active all day.
“She’s dancing to the Christmas songs” she said to Steve “she really likes the Puppini Sisters”
But by 9 o’clock in the evening it was obvious the twinges were more than the baby Christmas Dancing and she was having actually having contractions.
Luckily Dr Claire Andrews was dining in the restaurant with friends
“Get Doc Andrews” Steve said to Petra
“Ok” she replied and ran off while Steve and one of the regulars helped Holly into the private room at the back of the bar.
“Where is she?” The doctor asked
“In here” Steve called
Dr Andrews threw her car keys to Petra
“Can you get my bag from the car please?”
“Yes doc” she replied
“Ooooooh” Holly exclaimed through gritted teeth “that was a big one”
After Dr Andrews examined her she said
“She’s definitely in labour”
“I’ll call an ambulance” Steve suggested
“No she’s too far along” Claire said “the baby is going to be born here, and quite soon”
“I’d be happier if we got her to hospital” Steve said
“So would I” Dr Andrews replied
“But she’ll never make it to the hospital”
“She’s really too close?” Steve asked
“Yes” Claire replied “so under the circumstance, here is going to have to do”
“Upstairs it is then” Steve said “but the first sign of an angel and three wise men and we’re calling an ambulance”
“Christmas is never dull with Holly” he thought to himself as one by one the remainder of happy customers disappeared into the snowy night amidst a peel of Happy Christmas wishes.
“I have to give her that”
Steve looked out the door as he said goodnight to the last customer and it was still snowing but still not hard.
He locked the doors and went back inside to where the live in staff were sitting, no one wanted to go to bed until the baby had been born.
So they sat around a table in the bar until half past one when Noelle Claire Berry was born.
“How typical of Holly Berry to have the baby on Christmas Day” Steve said with tears in his eyes.
Monday, 27 March 2017
Tales from the Finchbottom Vale – (28) To Catch a Thief and Steal a Heart
(Part 01)
Sharpington-by-Sea is a traditional seaside resort complete with a Victorian Pier, seafront hotels, crazy golf, The Palladium ballroom, well maintained gardens, promenade, theatre and illuminations, all the usual things to have a great time by the seaside, as well as amusement arcades and of course the Sharpington Fun Park.
Which was the first purpose built amusement park to open in Britain, which had an assortment of rides, like the Rotor and the Wild Mouse, The Cyclone and the Morehouse Galloper, all very tame compared to a 21st century roller coaster but it was still fun.
It was also a popular resort for retirees and boasted a number of static caravan parks.
It was June 6th, “the longest day” his father used to call it but for him it felt like the longest evening
It wasn’t very late, sometime after nine, when David Goodman left the Sharpington Yacht Club, it was a quiet evening for a Saturday and he had soon exhausted the meager pool of interesting people.
So he meandered his way along the promenade in the fading light towards home on a warm night in June with barely a breath of wind off the sea.
David was fast approaching his sixty third birthday and was Widowed, retire and lonely, his children had grown up and moved away a lifetime ago and even their children were beginning to take flight.
He saw them all often enough but it wasn’t the same as having them around all the time.
However despite his loneliness he was not lacking in friends, far from it.
He fumbled for his keys as he made his way down the back path of his bungalow and his eye was drawn to a faint light through the garage window, at first he thought it might be a reflection but when he turned around there was nothing behind him but darkness.
The garage was what was known as a tandem because it was spacious enough for two cars in tandem i.e. end to end.
The up and over door was naturally at the front of the house and at the rear was a window through which he had seen the light and a door which gave access into the garden and he could see as he got closer that it was ajar.
David was 62 years old so it was a little foolhardy to proceed and confront a possible intruder but he did it anyway.
He grabbed the handle of the garage door and pushed it gently open and reached his hand in, feeling his way to the light switches then he pushed the door open wide and hit the two switches simultaneously.
The two lights came on instantly but one of the bulbs, the one at the rear, blew immediately returning it to near darkness.
He kept the car in the front half of the garage, not that he drove it very often, but the back half was full of everything and nothing, old pieces of furniture, tools, packing boxes and so on, junk mainly, as a result not much light got from one end of the garage to the other because of everything in between.
(Part 02)
When the lights first went on he saw the shape of a figure, just one he thought, though he couldn’t be sure, then the light went off again and he lost the shape in the gloom and there were a lot of shapes that could have been the intruder.
He switched on his phone torch and in the gloomy light he thought he saw movement and then he felt a push against his shoulder but it was only a glancing one and he was able to stand his ground and he reached out and grabbed his assailant.
“Got you” he said rather unimaginatively as he bundled the intruder towards his workbench and pinned them there while he got a better purchase on them.
There was a lot of wriggling and during the struggle he got a whack in the face, so using the weight of his upper body he pushed them forward so the hands that the intruder was employing to hit him with had to be used to support themselves.
However they weren’t done yet and alternated hands to have quick swipes at him and it was at this point while trying to subdue them that his left hand got a handful of breast.
“You’re a girl” he said and release his hold and grabbed her shoulder instead.
So having determined his burglar was female, he made a minor adjustment and transferred his weight forward so he had her completely pinned and with his right hand now free he used his phone again to have a look at her.
“My God you’re just a kid” he said and slapped her hard on the buttock.
“Get out of here” he said to her angrily “And don’t come back again”
The intruder scurried away and David walked to the house and made himself a coffee and went to the cupboard above the sink and got out a new light bulb, a proper old fashioned 60w bulb, that lit up to its maximum brightness as soon as you flicked the switch, and not one of those low energy things that only reached maximum brightness as you were about to switch it off and leave the room.
He went back out to the garage and reached up and replaced the bulb which lit immediately and when he looked in front of him he saw a girl sitting on the bench.
A skinny waif like creature, with short mousy blonde hair, a bit like a shaggy dog and she was wearing a baggy tee shirt and leggings.
“Didn’t you hear me tell you not to come back?” he asked her
“Yes” she said meekly
“So what are you doing back here again?” he asked sharply
“Um”
“Why are you back?” he said standing directly in front of her
“Well?”
“I wanted to say sorry” she said quietly and he softened
“How old are you?” he asked her
“17” she replied
“And what’s your name?”
“Wendy”
(Part 03)
“And what’s your name?” he asked
“Wendy”
“And what were you after in here anyway?” he asked
“I was looking for food”
“Why?” he asked with surprise
“Because I was hungry”
“What?”
“I was hungry” she repeated
“Where are you from? Where are your parents?”
“I live on the caravan park, Potters Lane, with my mum”
“Why hasn’t she fed you?” he questioned
“She’s not well,” she said tearfully
“Come in the house” he said “And I’ll make you something”
So David took her in the house and sat her in the kitchen while he made her bacon and eggs, which she polished off in no time flat.
As she was sitting drinking a hot chocolate Wendy asked
“Why did you feed me?”
“Because you were hungry” he replied
“But I was trying to steal from you” she pointed out
“Yes but you didn’t”
“That’s because you turned the light on and disturbed me” she stated
“But I could tell you weren’t a bad girl” David said washing up her plate
“But you thought I was a boy until you grabbed my...”
Wendy left the word unsaid and blushed
“No you’re right” he said “I wouldn’t have grabbed you there had I realized you were a girl”
“So why did you feed me bacon and eggs?”
“Because you came back and apologized” David explained “That’s why”
“So you don’t think I look like a boy?”
“No I think you look like an urchin” he corrected her and smiled
“Seriously do you think I’m ugly?”
“No I don’t, why would you think that?” David said
It would have been true to say she wasn’t stunningly beautiful but there was something about her elfin features, a distinct cuteness, she was a tomboy certainly but a pretty one.
“Everybody thinks I’m ugly and worthless” she said and she started to cry
“Even my mum” she added between the sobs so he went over to her and hugged her and she instantly locked her skinny arms around his neck.
“No one thinks you’re ugly” he said reassuringly
“You do,” she sobbed
“No, I think you’re cute”
“Really?” She said then cried into his neck
“So why did you think I was a boy?”
He thought about it for a while before answering
“Because it was dark and I’m old” he said
“Now dry your eyes and I’ll walk you home it’s getting late,” he said giving her his hankie
“You don’t have too” she said between sobs
“I know but I’m going to do it anyway” he insisted
“Does your mum work?” he asked as they walked towards Potters Lane
“No” she replied, “She’s not well enough”
“What about you?”
“No one’ll give me a job” she said and laughed
“Why not?”
“No don’t tell me, because you’re ugly and worthless”
She nodded
“Do you want a job?” he asked
“Yes”
“What do you want to do?”
“I don’t care what I do, anything” she said earnestly
“So if I could get you some work, would you be interested?”
“Oh yes” she replied as they reached the end of her road.
“Ok, I’ll see what I can do” he said “But you have to promise you won’t let me down?”
“No way” she said
“Shake on it then” he said and held out his hand which she shook as she looked him squarely in the eye before turning off into the caravan park.
“And the next time you’re hungry come and knock on the door” he called after her
“Ok”
(Part 04)
“Was that Wendy Corney?” A voice said from behind him as he watched Wendy walk down Potters Lane and when he turned around he saw it was Leslie Maher, his next-door neighbour, out walking her dog, Trio, so called as he had three legs.
“Yes” he said
And then to answer the unasked question he said
“I caught her trying to steal from my garage”
“I see” she said, “and did you call the police?”
“No”
“I’m glad” she said, Leslie was one of the angels
“Is it true her mother is ill?” he asked her
“Yes, she’s a chronic alcoholic” Leslie replied sadly
“I’m glad you’ve decided to try and help her”
“I didn’t say I had” David
“You don’t have to, you’re that kind of man” she said looking at him earnestly “But I just have one question”
“What’s that?”
“Why?”
“Because someone has convinced her that she’s ugly and worthless”
He replied and she reached up and kissed his cheek
“Good night David”
A day or two later he spied Alison Williams in the garden, she was a self-employed gardener and as he could in no way be considered to possess green fingers, that was his wife’s gift, he employed Alison.
And at the end of Sharpington where he lived was popular with retiree’s she had a numerous clientele.
She was a buxom young woman though quite muscular, about 5ft 10, big chested and thirty something with a great unruly shock of vivid ginger hair.
He was absentmindedly looking out through the kitchen window watching and was distracted by the sight of the robust Alison bent over a planter with her dungarees stretched tight across her well-defined buttocks but as she stood up from her toil he had a different thought.
“Alison!” he called
“Morning” she said “I’m just packing up”
“Hang on; I need to ask you a favour”
“Ok ask away,” she said
“Do you ever take on casual labour?” He asked
“Yes, but its hard finding someone reliable who turns up when they say they will” she said “Why do you have someone in mind?”
“Yes”
“It’s not some lecherous git you’re trying to set me up with is it?” Alison asked suspiciously
“No it’s a local girl, Wendy Corney”
“Ok I’ll give her a trial” she said “But its hard graft and the money’s shit”
“She won’t mind” he said confidently
After speaking with Alison he decided to go down to Hemmings General Store and pick up a paper and to ask another favour.
“Are you coming in for tea?” called Leslie
“On the way back” he suggested “If that’s ok”
“That’s fine” she replied cheerily
He always flirted outrageously with Belinda Hemmings and she would always flirt back but there was nothing in it as his hearts love lay elsewhere.
They had known each other for years, when she was still Belinda Church and she had been a bridesmaid at his wedding.
But alas she was quite ill and in hospital so her daughter Sabr was running things
Sabr was an Arabic word for the Islamic virtue of “patience”, although neither Belinda nor her husband were Arabs or Islamists she read it in a book when she was expecting her daughter and fell in love with the name.
(Part 05)
While he was at the counter in Hemmings paying for his paper he was just about to broach the subject of part time work for Wendy with Sabr when Gwen Quinton-Smith walked through the door.
She very flustered, though she often did, so he waited until she eventually regained her composure and he raised the question with her about full time or part time work for Wendy with the two of them at the same time.
Gwen said that she would ask around the ladies at the Women’s Institute but in the mean time she did have some odd jobs about the house that needed doing.
Sabr also promised to give Wendy a few hours in the shop while her mum was ill and she could start the same day.
“Not a bad mornings work all in all” he thought to himself as he left the shop “I just hope Wendy won’t let me down”
It was just at that minute that he spotted Wendy Corney’s gawky gangling gait crossing the road heading for the footbridge over the railway, some 50 yards away, so he set off in pursuit.
He lost sight of her for a few minutes and when he was across the bridge himself he didn’t know if she’d gone left or right.
So he took a gamble and went left just as a girl on horseback rode by, it was Emma Goldup.
“Morning Mr Goodman”
“Morning Emma”
She always called him Mr. Goodman even though it was 7 years since he retired from teaching.
She was the only child of a local couple with several businesses in the town.
But when she finished her expensive education she had no interest in working for any of the family businesses and got a job working in a small riding school at Brooke Side Farm on the outskirts of town.
Her parents were outraged, her father offered to buy the riding school and let her run it but she forbade him from doing any such thing and threatened never to speak to either of them if he did, she just wanted to work with horses.
She was a pretty girl, only a tiny little thing sat astride a great Honey coloured colt, and in spite of her parents wealth she had no airs and graces.
He finally tracked Wendy down about ten minutes later sitting on the banks of a little stream dangling her naked feet in the water.
“Hello you” he said startling her
“You made me jump” she said and giggled.
“What are you up to?” he asked
“Nothing as usual” she replied glumly.
“Just as well I’ve found some work for you”
“Really?” She said excitedly
“You’re not just winding me up,” she continued obviously used to being let down.
“No I’m serious” David said
She turned away from him and he could tell the way her shoulders were moving that she was crying.
“Well come on then” he said “Get your shoes on, they’re waiting for you”
(Part 06)
Wendy turned away from him and he could tell the way her shoulders were moving that she was crying.
“Well come on then” he said “Get your shoes on, they’re waiting for you”
“What, now?” She said wiping her face on her sleeve and nearly falling in the stream then she threw her long arms around him in a big gawky hug.
“Thanks David” she said and then she sat down again and he handed her a hankie which she gave a double take at, not knowing whether to dry her eyes or her feet, so she did both in the end, eyes first.
As he walked her back into the village he filled her in with what odd bits of work he had found for her so far.
“But the rest is up to you” he said
“I won’t let you down David, I promise” she said and when they arrived outside the shop David added
“It’s only temporary while Mrs. Hemmings is ill but if you work hard, I’m sure they’ll use you again”
And on hearing those words she stood up straight and gave him a wonky smile.
“What if she doesn’t like me?” She said nervously and he wiped the last remnants of her tears away and took her into the shop.
“Sabr! This is Wendy” he said
“Hello Wendy” Sabr said
“Hi” she replied trembling
“Don’t look so worried” Sabr said “I won’t bite”
He was feeling very pleased with himself as he walked up to Leslie Maher’s front door.
“Am I too late for tea?” he asked when she opened the door
“No you’re fine, Gwen’s still here” Leslie said
He received the news with mixed feelings, he was pleased that he wasn’t too late but he was disappointed that he had to share her with Gwen Quinton-Smith, although he really liked Gwen.
And both of them were very interested to hear all the details of his morning.
It was Saturday morning, on the first Saturday of July and furthermore the Gods had delivered to the folk of Sharpington a very hot day, the hottest day of the year so far in fact.
Leslie was away in Spain with her useless husband and had been for almost 3 weeks but she was due back the next day and he was really looking forward to seeing her.
David had been a widower for 10 years and in love with Leslie Maher for 5 of those.
Unfortunately she was still married, so that was a no go area for him.
He didn’t believe in fishing in someone else’s pond no matter how attractive the body of water might be and how much he might be in love with it.
Even if Frank Maher didn’t live by the same code as he did and was complete bastard, who spent all his time either womanizing or drinking with his cronies.
Even if David were the type of man to go after another man’s wife Leslie was not the kind of woman who would let him.
So he had to watch and hope that she might finally kick him into touch.
(Part 07)
Because it was so close to her return, that Saturday dragged and he did his best to fill the time.
In the morning he walked along the promenade towards the attractions and decided to take a stroll along the pier, he stopped periodically to look over the railings and on one occasion he saw his brother in law Dennis Simmons walking along the beach and when he looked up he gave David a wave, he waved back and continued on his way and it was when he reached the end that he found Sabr Hemmings leaning on the rail and gazing out to sea, the sea breeze disturbing her strawberry blonde hair.
“Do you come here often?” he asked and they both laughed.
“Who’s running the shop this morning if you’re here?” he asked her
“My Dad and Wendy” she said
“How is Wendy doing?”
“Very well, she’s a very hard worker, I have to force her to go home”
“That’s because she doesn’t have much of a home to go to” he thought to himself, but he was glad to hear she was doing well.
“And your mum?”
“Not good I’m afraid” she replied sadly
“I’m sorry to hear that” David said and she turned towards him and broke down and he held her and comforted her for the next ten minutes.
They sat down on the bench at the end of the pier and she unburdened herself on him and David listened intently and when she had finished he simply said
“You don’t need me to tell you what to do, you already know”
After walking Sabr back to the shop he decided to go and have a pint at the Ancient Mariner before he went home and fell asleep in front of the TV.
He was sitting in the beer garden, people watching while enjoying a pint of Mornington Ale.
“Well bless me, I thought you were dead” a voice said
“You knew very well I’m not dead you saw me on the pier this morning Dennis”
“I know but you did look a bit pasty” he said
“Do you want another?”
“Yes I will, thanks”
Dennis Simmons was the same age as David, he was a retired police Inspector, an exceptional dancer and was a confirmed bachelor.
And as they sat quietly enjoying their beer David asked.
“Are you going to the Yacht Club Dinner Dance?”
“I wasn’t planning on it” he replied “Are you?”
“Yes, you could come as my plus one” David suggestion
“Why don’t you take a lady instead?” Dennis asked
“The lady I would choose to take is going with someone else” David explained
“Don’t tell me you’re still carrying a torch for that neighbour of yours?” Dennis asked and David nodded
“I don’t blame you though she’s a lovely woman”
“That she is” David said wistfully
“Ok” he said “I’ll be your wingman”
“Thanks mate” he said
(Part 08)
The next day Leslie’s flight landed on time and she was back home by lunchtime but Frank being Frank left her to unpack while he went off to play Golf.
She tried to pretend that she didn’t really mind but she wasn’t fooling David so he offered to take her out for lunch.
“You really don’t have to do that” she said
“Nonsense get your bag” he insisted and he drove her to Dulcet-on-Brooke and they ate lunch at The Waterside Inn and they weren’t the only couple from Sharpington sharing an intimate meal together.
“So how was the holiday?” he asked
“The Hotel was nice” Leslie replied
“But it would have been nicer if it wasn’t next to two Golf courses”
“I see”
There was a sadness in her eyes so he didn’t press her further and changed the subject and they spent a warm summer afternoon in the beer garden on the banks of the River Brooke.
A couple of weeks passed and things had been quite quiet in Sharpington and he stepped out of his kitchen into the sunlight to find Alison Williams working up a sweat cutting the grass.
She had just stopped to empty the grass box when she saw him coming.
“Morning” he called
“Hello David”
At that moment Wendy appeared wearing identical dungarees as Alison carrying some empty sacks.
“Hello” she shouted
“Hi Wendy” he shouted back
Then in a lower voice he asked Alison
“How’s she doing?” nodding in Wendy’s direction
“Excellently” Alison replied beaming
“She a quick learner, hardworking, eager and reliable”
“Really?”
“I couldn’t ask for better, and she’s a real sweetie” she said
“I’m so pleased” he said and left them to their toil in the soil and drove into Abbottsford to buy a new suit.
David dried, perfumed and powdered himself and changed into his dinner suit complete with cummerbund and bow tie, he gave his reflection a cursory glance and wished he hadn’t worn a clip on bow tie.
“Too late to worry about that now” he said as he heard the taxi blow his horn.
After picking up Dennis on the way they made it to the Yacht Club with minutes to spare.
The ante room was jammed with an array of stunningly turned out women but he couldn’t see Leslie anywhere.
While he and Dennis stood on the periphery Gwen Quinton-Smith appeared.
She was normally a rather plain looking woman just the wrong side of 60, quite small and slim and normally choose to dress in the twin set and tweed style.
But not that night, that night she was looking very presentable indeed, if in a rather retro fashion way, but there was clearly more to Gwen than immediately met the eye.
“Hello David” She said warmly “thank you so much for finding Wendy for me, she’s been an absolute Godsend”
“I’m glad she’s been useful” he said and then he noticed she was no longer making eye contact with him but was looking at Dennis instead.
“Gwen, this is my brother in law Dennis” he said
“Hello Dennis” she said
(Part 09)
Just after David had introduced Dennis and Gwen a waitress arrived with a tray of drinks, Dennis took one and handed it to Gwen and then took one for himself and David grabbed a glass just in time before the waitress snatched the tray away and as she left, Leslie joined them, looking very shapely and David’s heart skipped a beat.
“What are you lot talking about?” she said
“Gwen was just telling me what a little gem Wendy Corney is weren’t you Gwen” he said but she and Dennis appeared to be oblivious to their presence and then the waitress stepped through the crowd to offer Leslie a drink and then Emma Goldup appeared wearing a long white dress.
“Hello Mr Goodman” she said “I hear on the grapevine that you know someone hard working and conscientious who might be looking for some work”
“Yes I do, Emma, but I’m not sure how much free time she has at the moment” he said “she’s in great demand, but I will certainly put her in touch, but only on one condition”
“What’s that?”
“That you stop calling me Mr Goodman and call me David”
“Ok” she said and giggled
Gwen and Dennis suddenly became aware they were not alone and then the small talk ebbed and flowed before they wandered over to the seating plan to find out who their dining companions were.
“Great we’re on the same table” David said
“Really?” Leslie said “how funny, who else have we got?”
They studied the plan for a few minutes and then David said
“Well that’s probably the best table in the room”
“I agree” Leslie said proudly
“So who do you think we need to thank?” he asked her
“Gwen obviously” Leslie scoffed “She always does the tables”
Then she stuck her arm through his and said
“You may escort me to my table peasant”
“Yes’m” he said tugging his forelock
They were right about it being the best table in the room, they had a good mix and there was a lot of jovial banter
The only person who didn’t seem to enjoy it was Leslie’s husband Frank, he seemed totally bored with the whole affair and complained about everything and communicated with the rest of the group in monosyllables.
Leslie was not at all pleased with him and made no secret of the fact.
But the straw that broke the camels back for her was when the dancing started Frank deserted her to go and drink with his mates at the bar.
“Intolerable, completely intolerable” she muttered and stormed out of the ballroom.
David was on the other side of the table at the time but as soon as he saw her leave he set off in pursuit.
She bolted towards the terrace but when he got outside there was no sign of her.
There were small groups of guests at one end so he guessed she had not gone in that direction and went down the steps to the garden.
He eventually found her sobbing in an arbour and when she saw him she threw herself into his arms.
“Oh David, why is he such a bastard?”
“I don’t know love” he replied
“He couldn’t even wait to have one bloody dance with me” she sobbed.
“I know”
“Will you dance with me?” she asked
“Always” he replied
(Part 10)
After David walked her back up to the ballroom she slipped away to attend to her makeup and when she returned she led him to the dancefloor which they barely left for the next hour, they didn’t speak but Leslie clung to him like a limpet and they were so engrossed they failed to notice Dennis and Gwen were also on the dancefloor and oblivious to what was happening around them.
Just after midnight Leslie said
“Will you take me home?”
“Of course” he said
He told Dennis that they were heading off and he said that was fine so he walked Leslie outside and they got a taxi.
They didn’t speak on the journey home but Leslie held his hand from the moment the taxi door closed.
He paid the driver and walked her to her front door still holding her hand.
“I’m sorry your evening was spoiled” David said
“It wasn’t, thanks to you” she said and kissed his lips “Goodnight”
He didn’t see Leslie the next day or in fact for the next week, he knocked on her door a couple of times but he got no answer.
David was at a loss what to do, he didn’t want to be too pushy but he felt he had made a breakthrough at the Yacht Club but he decided he should remain patient.
The problem was that the time was hanging heavy as the weather had turned very wet and stormy so he didn’t take his normal walks down to the seafront so he was feeling a little stir crazy.
A couple of days later he was halfway through watching an old Ealing comedy on TV and decided to make a drink.
And as he stood at the kitchen sink filling the kettle he noticed Wendy Corney pottering about in the garden.
“Oh good, company” he said to himself and went to the back door and opened it.
“WENDY” he shouted and she immediately looked in my direction and waved.
“COME HERE” he called to her and accompanied it with a gesture so she stopped what she was doing and trotted up the path to the back door.
“Hi David” she said her rain soaked face smiling, and then she shivered.
“Come in out of the rain for a bit”
“Ok” she said, “have you got the kettle on?”
As they sat in the kitchen he said
“So how are you getting on?”
“Great” she said
“How’s your mum?”
“The same” she replied “But I’m working most of the time”
“And how’s that going?”
“Brilliant I work with Alison the most, and Sabr at the shop use’s me as and when in the shop and Miss Quinton-Smith has been giving me odd jobs as well”
“Gwen is a good woman” he said
“Talking about jobs, I bumped into Emma Goldup at the Dinner Dance last weekend and she asked if you were available”.
“Is she the blonde girl with the horse?” She asked
“Yes” he said “I don’t know what work she has in mind, it might well be shovelling muck”
“Oh I don’t mind what I do” Wendy said “I just like being useful”
“Good for you” he said
(Part 11)
He had spent the morning cleaning the car and was just finishing off when a taxi pulled up and Leslie got out.
She smiled and waved and the driver removed a suitcase from the boot and a moment later Gwen appeared from her front door.
“Is everything ok dear?” she asked as she trotted across the road.
“Yes I’m fine” she replied to Gwen but she was looking at David “I just went to stay with James for a few days”
James was her eldest son and he lived in Northchapel.
“Why don’t we go for a pub lunch and catch up” David suggested
“I can’t” Gwen said which was unlike her, she was normally a shoe in when lunch was mentioned, which was why Leslie and David looked at her a little strangely which prompted her to hurriedly add
“Wendy's coming to help me tidy the attic”
“It must be important” Leslie said, “If you’re going forgo a lunch invitation”
Then Gwen said,
“If truth be told I do rather look forward to days like today”
“Yes Wendy is such a nice girl and very good company” Leslie said
“Quite” Gwen agreed
“I’m going to have to say no as well I’m afraid” she said
“The journey has given me a bit of a head”
“Oh ok” he said and reacting to his crestfallen look she said
“Another day though”
Leslie went indoors and he got his vexation out of his system as he waxed the car to within an inch of its life for the next two hours.
The day after Leslies return he woke up to find he was as stiff as a board.
He thought it must have been his excursions the day before when cleaning the car after all he was getting on a bit, but later that day he found out that he had the flu.
So he returned to his bed and didn’t emerge again until Sunday.
When he arose early on Sunday morning he ate a very hearty breakfast before taking a long relaxing bath and having fed and cleansed his body he decided it was time to get some exercise.
He hadn’t gone more than a few yards from the cottage when Leslie Maher emerged from her front gate.
“Hello David” she said brightly
“I haven’t seen you for a few days”
“I’ve been in bed” he replied
“Oh” Leslie said with a raised eyebrow
“With the flu”
“Oh you poor dear” she said
It was the first time he’d seen her since she had blown off his lunch invitation with a headache.
“I was hoping the offer of lunch was still on” she said
“Of course”
“Excellent” Leslie said and took him by the arm and they walked down the street to the promenade.
“Frank has gone” she said blandly
“I’m sorry,” he said though he was glad
“Don’t be” she said “it’s for the best”
“The boys told him to go you know” she announced proudly
“You deserve better than him” he said squeezing her hand
“Thank you” she said and squeezed his hand back
“You can do better than him” he said
“I already have” she said and when he turned to face her she smiled and he kissed her.
Sharpington-by-Sea is a traditional seaside resort complete with a Victorian Pier, seafront hotels, crazy golf, The Palladium ballroom, well maintained gardens, promenade, theatre and illuminations, all the usual things to have a great time by the seaside, as well as amusement arcades and of course the Sharpington Fun Park.
Which was the first purpose built amusement park to open in Britain, which had an assortment of rides, like the Rotor and the Wild Mouse, The Cyclone and the Morehouse Galloper, all very tame compared to a 21st century roller coaster but it was still fun.
It was also a popular resort for retirees and boasted a number of static caravan parks.
It was June 6th, “the longest day” his father used to call it but for him it felt like the longest evening
It wasn’t very late, sometime after nine, when David Goodman left the Sharpington Yacht Club, it was a quiet evening for a Saturday and he had soon exhausted the meager pool of interesting people.
So he meandered his way along the promenade in the fading light towards home on a warm night in June with barely a breath of wind off the sea.
David was fast approaching his sixty third birthday and was Widowed, retire and lonely, his children had grown up and moved away a lifetime ago and even their children were beginning to take flight.
He saw them all often enough but it wasn’t the same as having them around all the time.
However despite his loneliness he was not lacking in friends, far from it.
He fumbled for his keys as he made his way down the back path of his bungalow and his eye was drawn to a faint light through the garage window, at first he thought it might be a reflection but when he turned around there was nothing behind him but darkness.
The garage was what was known as a tandem because it was spacious enough for two cars in tandem i.e. end to end.
The up and over door was naturally at the front of the house and at the rear was a window through which he had seen the light and a door which gave access into the garden and he could see as he got closer that it was ajar.
David was 62 years old so it was a little foolhardy to proceed and confront a possible intruder but he did it anyway.
He grabbed the handle of the garage door and pushed it gently open and reached his hand in, feeling his way to the light switches then he pushed the door open wide and hit the two switches simultaneously.
The two lights came on instantly but one of the bulbs, the one at the rear, blew immediately returning it to near darkness.
He kept the car in the front half of the garage, not that he drove it very often, but the back half was full of everything and nothing, old pieces of furniture, tools, packing boxes and so on, junk mainly, as a result not much light got from one end of the garage to the other because of everything in between.
(Part 02)
When the lights first went on he saw the shape of a figure, just one he thought, though he couldn’t be sure, then the light went off again and he lost the shape in the gloom and there were a lot of shapes that could have been the intruder.
He switched on his phone torch and in the gloomy light he thought he saw movement and then he felt a push against his shoulder but it was only a glancing one and he was able to stand his ground and he reached out and grabbed his assailant.
“Got you” he said rather unimaginatively as he bundled the intruder towards his workbench and pinned them there while he got a better purchase on them.
There was a lot of wriggling and during the struggle he got a whack in the face, so using the weight of his upper body he pushed them forward so the hands that the intruder was employing to hit him with had to be used to support themselves.
However they weren’t done yet and alternated hands to have quick swipes at him and it was at this point while trying to subdue them that his left hand got a handful of breast.
“You’re a girl” he said and release his hold and grabbed her shoulder instead.
So having determined his burglar was female, he made a minor adjustment and transferred his weight forward so he had her completely pinned and with his right hand now free he used his phone again to have a look at her.
“My God you’re just a kid” he said and slapped her hard on the buttock.
“Get out of here” he said to her angrily “And don’t come back again”
The intruder scurried away and David walked to the house and made himself a coffee and went to the cupboard above the sink and got out a new light bulb, a proper old fashioned 60w bulb, that lit up to its maximum brightness as soon as you flicked the switch, and not one of those low energy things that only reached maximum brightness as you were about to switch it off and leave the room.
He went back out to the garage and reached up and replaced the bulb which lit immediately and when he looked in front of him he saw a girl sitting on the bench.
A skinny waif like creature, with short mousy blonde hair, a bit like a shaggy dog and she was wearing a baggy tee shirt and leggings.
“Didn’t you hear me tell you not to come back?” he asked her
“Yes” she said meekly
“So what are you doing back here again?” he asked sharply
“Um”
“Why are you back?” he said standing directly in front of her
“Well?”
“I wanted to say sorry” she said quietly and he softened
“How old are you?” he asked her
“17” she replied
“And what’s your name?”
“Wendy”
(Part 03)
“And what’s your name?” he asked
“Wendy”
“And what were you after in here anyway?” he asked
“I was looking for food”
“Why?” he asked with surprise
“Because I was hungry”
“What?”
“I was hungry” she repeated
“Where are you from? Where are your parents?”
“I live on the caravan park, Potters Lane, with my mum”
“Why hasn’t she fed you?” he questioned
“She’s not well,” she said tearfully
“Come in the house” he said “And I’ll make you something”
So David took her in the house and sat her in the kitchen while he made her bacon and eggs, which she polished off in no time flat.
As she was sitting drinking a hot chocolate Wendy asked
“Why did you feed me?”
“Because you were hungry” he replied
“But I was trying to steal from you” she pointed out
“Yes but you didn’t”
“That’s because you turned the light on and disturbed me” she stated
“But I could tell you weren’t a bad girl” David said washing up her plate
“But you thought I was a boy until you grabbed my...”
Wendy left the word unsaid and blushed
“No you’re right” he said “I wouldn’t have grabbed you there had I realized you were a girl”
“So why did you feed me bacon and eggs?”
“Because you came back and apologized” David explained “That’s why”
“So you don’t think I look like a boy?”
“No I think you look like an urchin” he corrected her and smiled
“Seriously do you think I’m ugly?”
“No I don’t, why would you think that?” David said
It would have been true to say she wasn’t stunningly beautiful but there was something about her elfin features, a distinct cuteness, she was a tomboy certainly but a pretty one.
“Everybody thinks I’m ugly and worthless” she said and she started to cry
“Even my mum” she added between the sobs so he went over to her and hugged her and she instantly locked her skinny arms around his neck.
“No one thinks you’re ugly” he said reassuringly
“You do,” she sobbed
“No, I think you’re cute”
“Really?” She said then cried into his neck
“So why did you think I was a boy?”
He thought about it for a while before answering
“Because it was dark and I’m old” he said
“Now dry your eyes and I’ll walk you home it’s getting late,” he said giving her his hankie
“You don’t have too” she said between sobs
“I know but I’m going to do it anyway” he insisted
“Does your mum work?” he asked as they walked towards Potters Lane
“No” she replied, “She’s not well enough”
“What about you?”
“No one’ll give me a job” she said and laughed
“Why not?”
“No don’t tell me, because you’re ugly and worthless”
She nodded
“Do you want a job?” he asked
“Yes”
“What do you want to do?”
“I don’t care what I do, anything” she said earnestly
“So if I could get you some work, would you be interested?”
“Oh yes” she replied as they reached the end of her road.
“Ok, I’ll see what I can do” he said “But you have to promise you won’t let me down?”
“No way” she said
“Shake on it then” he said and held out his hand which she shook as she looked him squarely in the eye before turning off into the caravan park.
“And the next time you’re hungry come and knock on the door” he called after her
“Ok”
(Part 04)
“Was that Wendy Corney?” A voice said from behind him as he watched Wendy walk down Potters Lane and when he turned around he saw it was Leslie Maher, his next-door neighbour, out walking her dog, Trio, so called as he had three legs.
“Yes” he said
And then to answer the unasked question he said
“I caught her trying to steal from my garage”
“I see” she said, “and did you call the police?”
“No”
“I’m glad” she said, Leslie was one of the angels
“Is it true her mother is ill?” he asked her
“Yes, she’s a chronic alcoholic” Leslie replied sadly
“I’m glad you’ve decided to try and help her”
“I didn’t say I had” David
“You don’t have to, you’re that kind of man” she said looking at him earnestly “But I just have one question”
“What’s that?”
“Why?”
“Because someone has convinced her that she’s ugly and worthless”
He replied and she reached up and kissed his cheek
“Good night David”
A day or two later he spied Alison Williams in the garden, she was a self-employed gardener and as he could in no way be considered to possess green fingers, that was his wife’s gift, he employed Alison.
And at the end of Sharpington where he lived was popular with retiree’s she had a numerous clientele.
She was a buxom young woman though quite muscular, about 5ft 10, big chested and thirty something with a great unruly shock of vivid ginger hair.
He was absentmindedly looking out through the kitchen window watching and was distracted by the sight of the robust Alison bent over a planter with her dungarees stretched tight across her well-defined buttocks but as she stood up from her toil he had a different thought.
“Alison!” he called
“Morning” she said “I’m just packing up”
“Hang on; I need to ask you a favour”
“Ok ask away,” she said
“Do you ever take on casual labour?” He asked
“Yes, but its hard finding someone reliable who turns up when they say they will” she said “Why do you have someone in mind?”
“Yes”
“It’s not some lecherous git you’re trying to set me up with is it?” Alison asked suspiciously
“No it’s a local girl, Wendy Corney”
“Ok I’ll give her a trial” she said “But its hard graft and the money’s shit”
“She won’t mind” he said confidently
After speaking with Alison he decided to go down to Hemmings General Store and pick up a paper and to ask another favour.
“Are you coming in for tea?” called Leslie
“On the way back” he suggested “If that’s ok”
“That’s fine” she replied cheerily
He always flirted outrageously with Belinda Hemmings and she would always flirt back but there was nothing in it as his hearts love lay elsewhere.
They had known each other for years, when she was still Belinda Church and she had been a bridesmaid at his wedding.
But alas she was quite ill and in hospital so her daughter Sabr was running things
Sabr was an Arabic word for the Islamic virtue of “patience”, although neither Belinda nor her husband were Arabs or Islamists she read it in a book when she was expecting her daughter and fell in love with the name.
(Part 05)
While he was at the counter in Hemmings paying for his paper he was just about to broach the subject of part time work for Wendy with Sabr when Gwen Quinton-Smith walked through the door.
She very flustered, though she often did, so he waited until she eventually regained her composure and he raised the question with her about full time or part time work for Wendy with the two of them at the same time.
Gwen said that she would ask around the ladies at the Women’s Institute but in the mean time she did have some odd jobs about the house that needed doing.
Sabr also promised to give Wendy a few hours in the shop while her mum was ill and she could start the same day.
“Not a bad mornings work all in all” he thought to himself as he left the shop “I just hope Wendy won’t let me down”
It was just at that minute that he spotted Wendy Corney’s gawky gangling gait crossing the road heading for the footbridge over the railway, some 50 yards away, so he set off in pursuit.
He lost sight of her for a few minutes and when he was across the bridge himself he didn’t know if she’d gone left or right.
So he took a gamble and went left just as a girl on horseback rode by, it was Emma Goldup.
“Morning Mr Goodman”
“Morning Emma”
She always called him Mr. Goodman even though it was 7 years since he retired from teaching.
She was the only child of a local couple with several businesses in the town.
But when she finished her expensive education she had no interest in working for any of the family businesses and got a job working in a small riding school at Brooke Side Farm on the outskirts of town.
Her parents were outraged, her father offered to buy the riding school and let her run it but she forbade him from doing any such thing and threatened never to speak to either of them if he did, she just wanted to work with horses.
She was a pretty girl, only a tiny little thing sat astride a great Honey coloured colt, and in spite of her parents wealth she had no airs and graces.
He finally tracked Wendy down about ten minutes later sitting on the banks of a little stream dangling her naked feet in the water.
“Hello you” he said startling her
“You made me jump” she said and giggled.
“What are you up to?” he asked
“Nothing as usual” she replied glumly.
“Just as well I’ve found some work for you”
“Really?” She said excitedly
“You’re not just winding me up,” she continued obviously used to being let down.
“No I’m serious” David said
She turned away from him and he could tell the way her shoulders were moving that she was crying.
“Well come on then” he said “Get your shoes on, they’re waiting for you”
(Part 06)
Wendy turned away from him and he could tell the way her shoulders were moving that she was crying.
“Well come on then” he said “Get your shoes on, they’re waiting for you”
“What, now?” She said wiping her face on her sleeve and nearly falling in the stream then she threw her long arms around him in a big gawky hug.
“Thanks David” she said and then she sat down again and he handed her a hankie which she gave a double take at, not knowing whether to dry her eyes or her feet, so she did both in the end, eyes first.
As he walked her back into the village he filled her in with what odd bits of work he had found for her so far.
“But the rest is up to you” he said
“I won’t let you down David, I promise” she said and when they arrived outside the shop David added
“It’s only temporary while Mrs. Hemmings is ill but if you work hard, I’m sure they’ll use you again”
And on hearing those words she stood up straight and gave him a wonky smile.
“What if she doesn’t like me?” She said nervously and he wiped the last remnants of her tears away and took her into the shop.
“Sabr! This is Wendy” he said
“Hello Wendy” Sabr said
“Hi” she replied trembling
“Don’t look so worried” Sabr said “I won’t bite”
He was feeling very pleased with himself as he walked up to Leslie Maher’s front door.
“Am I too late for tea?” he asked when she opened the door
“No you’re fine, Gwen’s still here” Leslie said
He received the news with mixed feelings, he was pleased that he wasn’t too late but he was disappointed that he had to share her with Gwen Quinton-Smith, although he really liked Gwen.
And both of them were very interested to hear all the details of his morning.
It was Saturday morning, on the first Saturday of July and furthermore the Gods had delivered to the folk of Sharpington a very hot day, the hottest day of the year so far in fact.
Leslie was away in Spain with her useless husband and had been for almost 3 weeks but she was due back the next day and he was really looking forward to seeing her.
David had been a widower for 10 years and in love with Leslie Maher for 5 of those.
Unfortunately she was still married, so that was a no go area for him.
He didn’t believe in fishing in someone else’s pond no matter how attractive the body of water might be and how much he might be in love with it.
Even if Frank Maher didn’t live by the same code as he did and was complete bastard, who spent all his time either womanizing or drinking with his cronies.
Even if David were the type of man to go after another man’s wife Leslie was not the kind of woman who would let him.
So he had to watch and hope that she might finally kick him into touch.
(Part 07)
Because it was so close to her return, that Saturday dragged and he did his best to fill the time.
In the morning he walked along the promenade towards the attractions and decided to take a stroll along the pier, he stopped periodically to look over the railings and on one occasion he saw his brother in law Dennis Simmons walking along the beach and when he looked up he gave David a wave, he waved back and continued on his way and it was when he reached the end that he found Sabr Hemmings leaning on the rail and gazing out to sea, the sea breeze disturbing her strawberry blonde hair.
“Do you come here often?” he asked and they both laughed.
“Who’s running the shop this morning if you’re here?” he asked her
“My Dad and Wendy” she said
“How is Wendy doing?”
“Very well, she’s a very hard worker, I have to force her to go home”
“That’s because she doesn’t have much of a home to go to” he thought to himself, but he was glad to hear she was doing well.
“And your mum?”
“Not good I’m afraid” she replied sadly
“I’m sorry to hear that” David said and she turned towards him and broke down and he held her and comforted her for the next ten minutes.
They sat down on the bench at the end of the pier and she unburdened herself on him and David listened intently and when she had finished he simply said
“You don’t need me to tell you what to do, you already know”
After walking Sabr back to the shop he decided to go and have a pint at the Ancient Mariner before he went home and fell asleep in front of the TV.
He was sitting in the beer garden, people watching while enjoying a pint of Mornington Ale.
“Well bless me, I thought you were dead” a voice said
“You knew very well I’m not dead you saw me on the pier this morning Dennis”
“I know but you did look a bit pasty” he said
“Do you want another?”
“Yes I will, thanks”
Dennis Simmons was the same age as David, he was a retired police Inspector, an exceptional dancer and was a confirmed bachelor.
And as they sat quietly enjoying their beer David asked.
“Are you going to the Yacht Club Dinner Dance?”
“I wasn’t planning on it” he replied “Are you?”
“Yes, you could come as my plus one” David suggestion
“Why don’t you take a lady instead?” Dennis asked
“The lady I would choose to take is going with someone else” David explained
“Don’t tell me you’re still carrying a torch for that neighbour of yours?” Dennis asked and David nodded
“I don’t blame you though she’s a lovely woman”
“That she is” David said wistfully
“Ok” he said “I’ll be your wingman”
“Thanks mate” he said
(Part 08)
The next day Leslie’s flight landed on time and she was back home by lunchtime but Frank being Frank left her to unpack while he went off to play Golf.
She tried to pretend that she didn’t really mind but she wasn’t fooling David so he offered to take her out for lunch.
“You really don’t have to do that” she said
“Nonsense get your bag” he insisted and he drove her to Dulcet-on-Brooke and they ate lunch at The Waterside Inn and they weren’t the only couple from Sharpington sharing an intimate meal together.
“So how was the holiday?” he asked
“The Hotel was nice” Leslie replied
“But it would have been nicer if it wasn’t next to two Golf courses”
“I see”
There was a sadness in her eyes so he didn’t press her further and changed the subject and they spent a warm summer afternoon in the beer garden on the banks of the River Brooke.
A couple of weeks passed and things had been quite quiet in Sharpington and he stepped out of his kitchen into the sunlight to find Alison Williams working up a sweat cutting the grass.
She had just stopped to empty the grass box when she saw him coming.
“Morning” he called
“Hello David”
At that moment Wendy appeared wearing identical dungarees as Alison carrying some empty sacks.
“Hello” she shouted
“Hi Wendy” he shouted back
Then in a lower voice he asked Alison
“How’s she doing?” nodding in Wendy’s direction
“Excellently” Alison replied beaming
“She a quick learner, hardworking, eager and reliable”
“Really?”
“I couldn’t ask for better, and she’s a real sweetie” she said
“I’m so pleased” he said and left them to their toil in the soil and drove into Abbottsford to buy a new suit.
David dried, perfumed and powdered himself and changed into his dinner suit complete with cummerbund and bow tie, he gave his reflection a cursory glance and wished he hadn’t worn a clip on bow tie.
“Too late to worry about that now” he said as he heard the taxi blow his horn.
After picking up Dennis on the way they made it to the Yacht Club with minutes to spare.
The ante room was jammed with an array of stunningly turned out women but he couldn’t see Leslie anywhere.
While he and Dennis stood on the periphery Gwen Quinton-Smith appeared.
She was normally a rather plain looking woman just the wrong side of 60, quite small and slim and normally choose to dress in the twin set and tweed style.
But not that night, that night she was looking very presentable indeed, if in a rather retro fashion way, but there was clearly more to Gwen than immediately met the eye.
“Hello David” She said warmly “thank you so much for finding Wendy for me, she’s been an absolute Godsend”
“I’m glad she’s been useful” he said and then he noticed she was no longer making eye contact with him but was looking at Dennis instead.
“Gwen, this is my brother in law Dennis” he said
“Hello Dennis” she said
(Part 09)
Just after David had introduced Dennis and Gwen a waitress arrived with a tray of drinks, Dennis took one and handed it to Gwen and then took one for himself and David grabbed a glass just in time before the waitress snatched the tray away and as she left, Leslie joined them, looking very shapely and David’s heart skipped a beat.
“What are you lot talking about?” she said
“Gwen was just telling me what a little gem Wendy Corney is weren’t you Gwen” he said but she and Dennis appeared to be oblivious to their presence and then the waitress stepped through the crowd to offer Leslie a drink and then Emma Goldup appeared wearing a long white dress.
“Hello Mr Goodman” she said “I hear on the grapevine that you know someone hard working and conscientious who might be looking for some work”
“Yes I do, Emma, but I’m not sure how much free time she has at the moment” he said “she’s in great demand, but I will certainly put her in touch, but only on one condition”
“What’s that?”
“That you stop calling me Mr Goodman and call me David”
“Ok” she said and giggled
Gwen and Dennis suddenly became aware they were not alone and then the small talk ebbed and flowed before they wandered over to the seating plan to find out who their dining companions were.
“Great we’re on the same table” David said
“Really?” Leslie said “how funny, who else have we got?”
They studied the plan for a few minutes and then David said
“Well that’s probably the best table in the room”
“I agree” Leslie said proudly
“So who do you think we need to thank?” he asked her
“Gwen obviously” Leslie scoffed “She always does the tables”
Then she stuck her arm through his and said
“You may escort me to my table peasant”
“Yes’m” he said tugging his forelock
They were right about it being the best table in the room, they had a good mix and there was a lot of jovial banter
The only person who didn’t seem to enjoy it was Leslie’s husband Frank, he seemed totally bored with the whole affair and complained about everything and communicated with the rest of the group in monosyllables.
Leslie was not at all pleased with him and made no secret of the fact.
But the straw that broke the camels back for her was when the dancing started Frank deserted her to go and drink with his mates at the bar.
“Intolerable, completely intolerable” she muttered and stormed out of the ballroom.
David was on the other side of the table at the time but as soon as he saw her leave he set off in pursuit.
She bolted towards the terrace but when he got outside there was no sign of her.
There were small groups of guests at one end so he guessed she had not gone in that direction and went down the steps to the garden.
He eventually found her sobbing in an arbour and when she saw him she threw herself into his arms.
“Oh David, why is he such a bastard?”
“I don’t know love” he replied
“He couldn’t even wait to have one bloody dance with me” she sobbed.
“I know”
“Will you dance with me?” she asked
“Always” he replied
(Part 10)
After David walked her back up to the ballroom she slipped away to attend to her makeup and when she returned she led him to the dancefloor which they barely left for the next hour, they didn’t speak but Leslie clung to him like a limpet and they were so engrossed they failed to notice Dennis and Gwen were also on the dancefloor and oblivious to what was happening around them.
Just after midnight Leslie said
“Will you take me home?”
“Of course” he said
He told Dennis that they were heading off and he said that was fine so he walked Leslie outside and they got a taxi.
They didn’t speak on the journey home but Leslie held his hand from the moment the taxi door closed.
He paid the driver and walked her to her front door still holding her hand.
“I’m sorry your evening was spoiled” David said
“It wasn’t, thanks to you” she said and kissed his lips “Goodnight”
He didn’t see Leslie the next day or in fact for the next week, he knocked on her door a couple of times but he got no answer.
David was at a loss what to do, he didn’t want to be too pushy but he felt he had made a breakthrough at the Yacht Club but he decided he should remain patient.
The problem was that the time was hanging heavy as the weather had turned very wet and stormy so he didn’t take his normal walks down to the seafront so he was feeling a little stir crazy.
A couple of days later he was halfway through watching an old Ealing comedy on TV and decided to make a drink.
And as he stood at the kitchen sink filling the kettle he noticed Wendy Corney pottering about in the garden.
“Oh good, company” he said to himself and went to the back door and opened it.
“WENDY” he shouted and she immediately looked in my direction and waved.
“COME HERE” he called to her and accompanied it with a gesture so she stopped what she was doing and trotted up the path to the back door.
“Hi David” she said her rain soaked face smiling, and then she shivered.
“Come in out of the rain for a bit”
“Ok” she said, “have you got the kettle on?”
As they sat in the kitchen he said
“So how are you getting on?”
“Great” she said
“How’s your mum?”
“The same” she replied “But I’m working most of the time”
“And how’s that going?”
“Brilliant I work with Alison the most, and Sabr at the shop use’s me as and when in the shop and Miss Quinton-Smith has been giving me odd jobs as well”
“Gwen is a good woman” he said
“Talking about jobs, I bumped into Emma Goldup at the Dinner Dance last weekend and she asked if you were available”.
“Is she the blonde girl with the horse?” She asked
“Yes” he said “I don’t know what work she has in mind, it might well be shovelling muck”
“Oh I don’t mind what I do” Wendy said “I just like being useful”
“Good for you” he said
(Part 11)
He had spent the morning cleaning the car and was just finishing off when a taxi pulled up and Leslie got out.
She smiled and waved and the driver removed a suitcase from the boot and a moment later Gwen appeared from her front door.
“Is everything ok dear?” she asked as she trotted across the road.
“Yes I’m fine” she replied to Gwen but she was looking at David “I just went to stay with James for a few days”
James was her eldest son and he lived in Northchapel.
“Why don’t we go for a pub lunch and catch up” David suggested
“I can’t” Gwen said which was unlike her, she was normally a shoe in when lunch was mentioned, which was why Leslie and David looked at her a little strangely which prompted her to hurriedly add
“Wendy's coming to help me tidy the attic”
“It must be important” Leslie said, “If you’re going forgo a lunch invitation”
Then Gwen said,
“If truth be told I do rather look forward to days like today”
“Yes Wendy is such a nice girl and very good company” Leslie said
“Quite” Gwen agreed
“I’m going to have to say no as well I’m afraid” she said
“The journey has given me a bit of a head”
“Oh ok” he said and reacting to his crestfallen look she said
“Another day though”
Leslie went indoors and he got his vexation out of his system as he waxed the car to within an inch of its life for the next two hours.
The day after Leslies return he woke up to find he was as stiff as a board.
He thought it must have been his excursions the day before when cleaning the car after all he was getting on a bit, but later that day he found out that he had the flu.
So he returned to his bed and didn’t emerge again until Sunday.
When he arose early on Sunday morning he ate a very hearty breakfast before taking a long relaxing bath and having fed and cleansed his body he decided it was time to get some exercise.
He hadn’t gone more than a few yards from the cottage when Leslie Maher emerged from her front gate.
“Hello David” she said brightly
“I haven’t seen you for a few days”
“I’ve been in bed” he replied
“Oh” Leslie said with a raised eyebrow
“With the flu”
“Oh you poor dear” she said
It was the first time he’d seen her since she had blown off his lunch invitation with a headache.
“I was hoping the offer of lunch was still on” she said
“Of course”
“Excellent” Leslie said and took him by the arm and they walked down the street to the promenade.
“Frank has gone” she said blandly
“I’m sorry,” he said though he was glad
“Don’t be” she said “it’s for the best”
“The boys told him to go you know” she announced proudly
“You deserve better than him” he said squeezing her hand
“Thank you” she said and squeezed his hand back
“You can do better than him” he said
“I already have” she said and when he turned to face her she smiled and he kissed her.
Mornington-By-Mere – (28) Exchanging Gifts on Christmas Eve
(Part 01)
There are four Windmill Cottages in the village of Mornington-By-Mere and they are as quaintly picturesque as the rest of the village.
They stand detached in a neat row alongside the southern bank of the River Brooke situated between the East Bridge and Church Hall.
The Chapman family live in number 1 and Jo Williamson and her daughter Cassandra live next door at number 2.
Alan Chapman was a 50 year old widowed Farm Labourer and was very highly regarded and as such he was never out of work as a result and because of that he could easily pick and choose where he worked.
As a consequence of his outdoor life he was a lean fit man with a full head of sandy hair and a weathered complexion.
As a result of his children’s independent existences Alan spent a lot of his leisure time on his own.
He wasn’t altogether happy with that but he had been a widower for ten years so he was getting used to it.
He was not an unsociable man however and was well liked by those who knew him and he got on well with his neighbour’s.
One of his neighbour’s was Josephine Williamson who he knew very well and had wanted very much to have known her better for some time.
But what held him back was that she was 8 years younger than him.
So he admired her from a distance, and there was much to admire, she was five foot eight with luscious thick ginger curls tumbling down onto her shoulders and mesmerizing green eyes, with a lovely figure, curvaceous and perfectly proportioned.
Jo was a divorcee but had raised her daughter single handed and had to stand on her own two feet, she had managed to get a full time job with one of the new firms up at Mornington Field, Paige Turners and things were going well for her so she was happy-ish.
However everything changed on a Friday afternoon two weeks before Christmas when he opened the front door and found a rather tipsy Jo Williamson leaning against the doorframe.
“Alan darling” she slurred, “I am a damsel in distress”
Once inside she told him that she had been to the Paige Turners Christmas lunch at the Old Mill Inn and she had enjoyed it very much but she was locked out of her house and her daughter Caz had gone Christmas shopping in Abbottsford for the day.
After having to pay a visit to the loo she tottered into the lounge, make up repaired, outfit perfect, and in one hand she held a sprig of mistletoe.
“Look what I have found,” she said and as she reached him she raised it above her head.
So he stood up to face her, puckered up and gave her a Christmas kiss and as his lips touched hers her it was evident that it was a more intrusive kind of Christmas kiss she was interested in, which took him by surprise, but it was a nice surprise, so in the spirit of the season and just to be neighbourly he responded in kind.
But the greater surprise came when they ended up making love in his bed.
(Part 02)
Jo and Alan lay silently in the afterglow in his bed and after a few minutes Jo turned her head to look at him.
“My goodness that was really powerful mistletoe” Jo said from beneath the duvet.
“It was that” he agreed
“This isn’t quiet how I envisaged the day going” she said
“Well we Chapmans take hospitality very seriously” he said
“I don’t make a habit of this” she said
“Nor do I” Alan said “And this isn’t something I envisaged happening either, but it’s something I pictured in my dreams, often”
He reached out and put his arm around her and she lay her head on his chest.
Holding the bubbly redhead in his arms was something he had often imagined doing but he never expected for a moment that it would actually happen.
But as if it wasn’t enough of a surprise to have enjoyed some afternoon delight with the woman he had admired from afar for so long, it transpired that she felt the same way about him.
Almost a week had passed since they made love in his house and they had barely spoken a word.
Though not out of guilt or regret it was merely the time of year and they just couldn’t get a moment alone.
They did text, in fact the very next day he received one which read
“Merry Christmas Alan, with love from a grateful Damsel in Distress” It should have been simple enough to communicate as they were next door neighbours but it was complicated by the fact they had family.
They both wanted to take it to the next level but they wanted to speak to their children first and pre warn them.
He walked into the village to do some shopping, and first he went to Normans General Store.
It was full of all the usual trappings of the season, selection boxes, tinsel, wrapping paper and cards but his eyes were immediately drawn to a large stack of magazines.
The Radio Times to be precise, the bumper Christmas edition of the Radio Times.
He got a lot of stick from his kids over it, because they thought it was a bit sad but he really looked forward to getting the Bumper Christmas Edition of the Radio Times, (other TV Guides were available).
It is one of the highlights of the season for him, and to make it even sadder, he bought two copies.
After leaving Norman’s he crossed to road and went to Legg’s Farm shop, then he crossed the road again and went to Addison’s Bakers and finally Boddingtons to get some mince.
It was as he was leaving the latter that he bumped into Jo coming the other way.
“Hello Alan” she said
“Hi Jo, you surprised me” he said then she surprised him again by giving him a bear hug almost crushing his Radio Times and kissed his cheek several times.
“I’ve missed you” she whispered
“Likewise” he whispered back
“Are you going to The Carol Concert on Saturday night?” She asked
“Yes I am” he replied
“If you’re going as well then perhaps we could go together”
“That would be nice” Jo said “I’ll see you on Saturday”
On Saturday Night the Chapmans and the Williamson walked together the short distance to St Winifred’s and even sat together and as it was a candlelit service Jo took the opportunity to hold Alan’s hand in the semi darkness.
(Part 03)
On Christmas Eve Alan rose early and took advantage of the fact the house was empty to get the chores done.
His daughter Lorraine didn’t live with him full time as she was a Nurse at the Winston Churchill Hospital in Abbottsford and rather than commute back and forth she shared a flat with two other Nurses, Jane Hall, and Rosie Parsons who also lived in Mornington and worked at the Churchill, she herself was working the night shift and wouldn’t be home until Christmas Day.
His son James was a Farm Labourer and worked at Windmill Farm and they were working in the morning and then having Christmas Dinner followed by drinks.
And Subhan was babysitting Hannah Hills kids all day.
He loaded the washing machine and set the program to wash and then went upstairs and remade the beds with fresh linen in preparation for Christmas, then he hoovered, dusted and polished throughout the house.
His exceptionally early start to the day enabled him to complete all his chores with ease by lunchtime and after a long leisurely shower he made himself a sandwich.
Alan was just drying his hands after washing up his lunch plate when there was a knock at the door.
When he opened it, he found Jo Williamson on the other side of it, wearing a Christmas jumper and wearing tinsel in her hair, holding a Christmas parcel.
“Happy Christmas” she said beaming.
“Hey! Happy Christmas hon” he responded, “come in”
“Ok” she said still smiling broadly “but no funny business”
“No funny business” he agreed and Jo stepped inside.
“You didn’t have to get me a gift,” he said to her as he took her coat.
“But it was a nice thing to do, thank you”
As Jo sat down on the sofa he reached under the Christmas Tree and picked up a little gift bag and handed it to her.
“Merry Christmas” he said and sat down beside her.
But she seemed not to notice the gift and took a deep breath and blurted out.
“I’ve told Caz about us”
“Really?” he said
“She saw us holding hands at the Carol Service” She explained “So I had to”
“Good” he said
“Then you’re not angry?”
“No of course not” he said “What did she say?”
“She said that she was thrilled for me” and tears were beginning to form in her eyes.
Alan put his arms around her and said
“I told Jimmy last night and he said it was about time”
“What about the others?” she asked
“I spoke to Siobhan before she went out this morning” Alan said
“And what did she say?” Jo said urgently, knowing that she would be the most likely to be upset by the news as she was only 7 when her mum died.
“Cool” he replied and she sighed
“So only Lorraine to tell then”
“Yes I’ll tell her tomorrow” he said “But she’s been telling me for years I needed to find someone, so she won’t be a problem”
“So what do we do now?” she asked
“Well I don’t know” he replied “but once I’ve spoken to Lorraine it means you can kiss me anytime you want without the aid of mistletoe”
“Oh I like the sound of that” She said and gave him a big hug and an hour later they were snuggled beneath the freshly laundered duvet.
“So much for no funny business” he thought as she lay her head on his chest and sighed.
There are four Windmill Cottages in the village of Mornington-By-Mere and they are as quaintly picturesque as the rest of the village.
They stand detached in a neat row alongside the southern bank of the River Brooke situated between the East Bridge and Church Hall.
The Chapman family live in number 1 and Jo Williamson and her daughter Cassandra live next door at number 2.
Alan Chapman was a 50 year old widowed Farm Labourer and was very highly regarded and as such he was never out of work as a result and because of that he could easily pick and choose where he worked.
As a consequence of his outdoor life he was a lean fit man with a full head of sandy hair and a weathered complexion.
As a result of his children’s independent existences Alan spent a lot of his leisure time on his own.
He wasn’t altogether happy with that but he had been a widower for ten years so he was getting used to it.
He was not an unsociable man however and was well liked by those who knew him and he got on well with his neighbour’s.
One of his neighbour’s was Josephine Williamson who he knew very well and had wanted very much to have known her better for some time.
But what held him back was that she was 8 years younger than him.
So he admired her from a distance, and there was much to admire, she was five foot eight with luscious thick ginger curls tumbling down onto her shoulders and mesmerizing green eyes, with a lovely figure, curvaceous and perfectly proportioned.
Jo was a divorcee but had raised her daughter single handed and had to stand on her own two feet, she had managed to get a full time job with one of the new firms up at Mornington Field, Paige Turners and things were going well for her so she was happy-ish.
However everything changed on a Friday afternoon two weeks before Christmas when he opened the front door and found a rather tipsy Jo Williamson leaning against the doorframe.
“Alan darling” she slurred, “I am a damsel in distress”
Once inside she told him that she had been to the Paige Turners Christmas lunch at the Old Mill Inn and she had enjoyed it very much but she was locked out of her house and her daughter Caz had gone Christmas shopping in Abbottsford for the day.
After having to pay a visit to the loo she tottered into the lounge, make up repaired, outfit perfect, and in one hand she held a sprig of mistletoe.
“Look what I have found,” she said and as she reached him she raised it above her head.
So he stood up to face her, puckered up and gave her a Christmas kiss and as his lips touched hers her it was evident that it was a more intrusive kind of Christmas kiss she was interested in, which took him by surprise, but it was a nice surprise, so in the spirit of the season and just to be neighbourly he responded in kind.
But the greater surprise came when they ended up making love in his bed.
(Part 02)
Jo and Alan lay silently in the afterglow in his bed and after a few minutes Jo turned her head to look at him.
“My goodness that was really powerful mistletoe” Jo said from beneath the duvet.
“It was that” he agreed
“This isn’t quiet how I envisaged the day going” she said
“Well we Chapmans take hospitality very seriously” he said
“I don’t make a habit of this” she said
“Nor do I” Alan said “And this isn’t something I envisaged happening either, but it’s something I pictured in my dreams, often”
He reached out and put his arm around her and she lay her head on his chest.
Holding the bubbly redhead in his arms was something he had often imagined doing but he never expected for a moment that it would actually happen.
But as if it wasn’t enough of a surprise to have enjoyed some afternoon delight with the woman he had admired from afar for so long, it transpired that she felt the same way about him.
Almost a week had passed since they made love in his house and they had barely spoken a word.
Though not out of guilt or regret it was merely the time of year and they just couldn’t get a moment alone.
They did text, in fact the very next day he received one which read
“Merry Christmas Alan, with love from a grateful Damsel in Distress” It should have been simple enough to communicate as they were next door neighbours but it was complicated by the fact they had family.
They both wanted to take it to the next level but they wanted to speak to their children first and pre warn them.
He walked into the village to do some shopping, and first he went to Normans General Store.
It was full of all the usual trappings of the season, selection boxes, tinsel, wrapping paper and cards but his eyes were immediately drawn to a large stack of magazines.
The Radio Times to be precise, the bumper Christmas edition of the Radio Times.
He got a lot of stick from his kids over it, because they thought it was a bit sad but he really looked forward to getting the Bumper Christmas Edition of the Radio Times, (other TV Guides were available).
It is one of the highlights of the season for him, and to make it even sadder, he bought two copies.
After leaving Norman’s he crossed to road and went to Legg’s Farm shop, then he crossed the road again and went to Addison’s Bakers and finally Boddingtons to get some mince.
It was as he was leaving the latter that he bumped into Jo coming the other way.
“Hello Alan” she said
“Hi Jo, you surprised me” he said then she surprised him again by giving him a bear hug almost crushing his Radio Times and kissed his cheek several times.
“I’ve missed you” she whispered
“Likewise” he whispered back
“Are you going to The Carol Concert on Saturday night?” She asked
“Yes I am” he replied
“If you’re going as well then perhaps we could go together”
“That would be nice” Jo said “I’ll see you on Saturday”
On Saturday Night the Chapmans and the Williamson walked together the short distance to St Winifred’s and even sat together and as it was a candlelit service Jo took the opportunity to hold Alan’s hand in the semi darkness.
(Part 03)
On Christmas Eve Alan rose early and took advantage of the fact the house was empty to get the chores done.
His daughter Lorraine didn’t live with him full time as she was a Nurse at the Winston Churchill Hospital in Abbottsford and rather than commute back and forth she shared a flat with two other Nurses, Jane Hall, and Rosie Parsons who also lived in Mornington and worked at the Churchill, she herself was working the night shift and wouldn’t be home until Christmas Day.
His son James was a Farm Labourer and worked at Windmill Farm and they were working in the morning and then having Christmas Dinner followed by drinks.
And Subhan was babysitting Hannah Hills kids all day.
He loaded the washing machine and set the program to wash and then went upstairs and remade the beds with fresh linen in preparation for Christmas, then he hoovered, dusted and polished throughout the house.
His exceptionally early start to the day enabled him to complete all his chores with ease by lunchtime and after a long leisurely shower he made himself a sandwich.
Alan was just drying his hands after washing up his lunch plate when there was a knock at the door.
When he opened it, he found Jo Williamson on the other side of it, wearing a Christmas jumper and wearing tinsel in her hair, holding a Christmas parcel.
“Happy Christmas” she said beaming.
“Hey! Happy Christmas hon” he responded, “come in”
“Ok” she said still smiling broadly “but no funny business”
“No funny business” he agreed and Jo stepped inside.
“You didn’t have to get me a gift,” he said to her as he took her coat.
“But it was a nice thing to do, thank you”
As Jo sat down on the sofa he reached under the Christmas Tree and picked up a little gift bag and handed it to her.
“Merry Christmas” he said and sat down beside her.
But she seemed not to notice the gift and took a deep breath and blurted out.
“I’ve told Caz about us”
“Really?” he said
“She saw us holding hands at the Carol Service” She explained “So I had to”
“Good” he said
“Then you’re not angry?”
“No of course not” he said “What did she say?”
“She said that she was thrilled for me” and tears were beginning to form in her eyes.
Alan put his arms around her and said
“I told Jimmy last night and he said it was about time”
“What about the others?” she asked
“I spoke to Siobhan before she went out this morning” Alan said
“And what did she say?” Jo said urgently, knowing that she would be the most likely to be upset by the news as she was only 7 when her mum died.
“Cool” he replied and she sighed
“So only Lorraine to tell then”
“Yes I’ll tell her tomorrow” he said “But she’s been telling me for years I needed to find someone, so she won’t be a problem”
“So what do we do now?” she asked
“Well I don’t know” he replied “but once I’ve spoken to Lorraine it means you can kiss me anytime you want without the aid of mistletoe”
“Oh I like the sound of that” She said and gave him a big hug and an hour later they were snuggled beneath the freshly laundered duvet.
“So much for no funny business” he thought as she lay her head on his chest and sighed.
Downshire Diary – (28) Mother’s Day Treat
(Part 01)
Anna Harwood and her daughter Clare lived in the village of Clarence which was a mile or so from Purplemere.
She was 55 years old, pale skinned, strawberry blonde, turning to silver, five foot nothing tall and whippet thin and her daughter was just a younger version of her mother.
Her husband David had died the year before and as they only had one child there was only the two of them.
They both worked at the Royal Downshire Hospital in Purplemere Clare was a district nurse and Anna was a clerical officer.
The two of them did a lot of things together, shopping, eating out and the theatre.
But for Mother’s Day Clare had bought a three day, all-inclusive spa break for her mum at the Tipton Manor Hotel and Spa in the north of the county.
Clare very thoughtfully had booked for her mum and a plus one because she knew she wouldn’t be comfortable going to a place like that on her own.
But she insisted that she wanted to go with Clare, so they could spend some quality time together doing girls stuff.
Anna knew that wasn’t the kind of thing Clare had in mind, as it wasn’t her kind of thing at all.
Clare wasn’t the rest and relaxation sort at all, she was more of a party girl, which Anna thought was probably why she was still single.
So she was delighted when Clare agreed to be her Anna’s plus one.
In order for her to get the best possible deal Clare had booked a midweek mini break, and it made perfect sense to Anna, her daughter was a nurse after all, so money didn’t grow on trees but the earliest she could get was at the end of april.
It was a long drive from Clarence, on the outskirts of Purplemere, to Tipton in the north of the county but then they had taken the decision after getting off the expressway to take the scenic route through the Pepperstock Hills National Park.
But the scenery in the Park was well worth the additional time with its stark contrasts from the extensive tract of magnificent mixed forestry to the south and east, the old Quarries reclaimed by Nature to the west to the bare, and often barren crags to the north.
However despite the scenic splendour she had witnessed when they arrived Clare was not in the best of spirits.
Anna knew that Clare could have found much more enjoyable ways of spending her days off than babysitting her mother.
But she loved her even more for doing it despite her preferred pastime of looking for her ideal man, Anna kept telling her that there was no such thing but she wouldn’t listen.
But when Clare gave her a smile she knew her daughter had resolved to make the best of it and try to get her monies worth despite having her mum as her wingman.
They were greeted in reception by a very attractive specimen of a man and Anna could see Clare perk up.
He was over six feet tall, lean and muscular, very good looking and well groomed, he was manicured and pedicured, toned, tanned and smelt like a perfume counter.
Naturally Anna marked him down as gay.
(Part 02)
Anna and Clare Harwood were greeted in reception by a very attractive specimen of a man and Anna could see Clare perk up.
He was over six feet tall, lean and muscular, very good looking and well groomed, he was manicured and pedicured, toned, tanned and smelt like a perfume counter.
Naturally Anna marked him down as gay.
“Good morning ladies” he said with the faintest hint of a French accent.
“Good morning” they replied in unison
“We have a booking in the name of Harwood” Clare said
“Ah the Harwood sisters” he said
“You know very well we're not sisters you cheeky boy” Anna said in a style something akin to a Carry on movie.
“You're not sisters?” he asked feigning surprise
“Mother and daughter” she said
“And which one are you Mademoiselle” he said and kissed her hand
“Cheeky” she said and blushed
Clare didn’t contribute to the converse but Anna noticed she was giving him the full benefit of her appraisal whilst wearing a wistful expression, doubtless in regard to him playing for the other side.
When the Oscar Wilde capers were over and done with they managed to get themselves checked in and it was while she was signing in that that she became aware he was doing some appraising of his own, of her and her daughter and she began to question her initial assessment that he was gay.
“When you have settled into your room I will give you a tour of the facilities” he said “Shall we say on the terrace in 30 minutes?”
“That will be fine” Clare said
“Of course with your lovely pale skin you two will need to stay in the shadows” He said.
Anna blushed at the compliment and Clare smiled.
According to his name badge his name was Claude and he was very handsome and Anna could tell that her daughter was thinking that things might well be looking up if he didn’t bat for the other side.
“You can check my skin anytime” Clare said
“I’ll bare that in mind” he retorted
“You’re a terrible flirt Clare” mum said
“I know” she said, “although I think of it more as advertising”
They went up to their rooms and settled in and then went down stairs to find Gorgeous Claude.
However as the approached the terrace they came across him fawning over another group of women of mixed ages, ranging from 16 to 60, and they watched as he ogled and drooled over all of them and Clare felt her skin crawl and she shivered.
“Yes I know what you mean” Anna said “he’s a real lounge lizard”
So they decided to skip oily Claude’s tour and just wandered around on their own.
Their sojourn took them to the pool area first, they saw the Rock sauna, infra-red sauna, aroma steam room, ice fountain, drench showers, Jacuzzi, a Romanesque pool and the swimming pool as well.
After which they headed towards the sun lounge and refreshments which was when they literally bumped into Phil Grice and his uncle, Roger Greven.
(Part 03)
The collision between the Harwood’s and Roger Greven and his nephew Phil Grice resulted in Clare falling into a planter and Roger lying flat on his back with Anna on top of him nose to nose.
Phil Grice was the only one left standing and unsure who he should help first.
He decided on the pretty young one in the planter, who was left like an upturned beetle, with her legs waving about, which was what he noticed, her lovely legs, she was also giggling which he liked to.
“I’m terribly sorry”
He said and took her hands and pulled her to her feet, it took little effort as she was a tiny little thing and he was over six feet tall.
She was still giggling and was unable to respond and when she saw her mum lying on top of a strange man her giggles turned to belly laughs.
All four of them were laughing by the time everyone was on their feet again and between the laughter everyone expressed their apologies for their clumsiness.
Neither Anna nor Roger’s first reaction was laughter as they lay on the floor, because Roger felt anger until he realised he had been assailed by a very attractive woman while for Anna as she lay nose to nose with a nice smelling good looking man, what she felt was lust.
In between giggles Anna kept giving appraising glances at the good looking man who she had laid on top of and she liked what she saw, to the point that she though he put Claude in the shade.
He was six feet tall, with a military bearing with short salt and pepper hair, blue eyes and a neat well-groomed beard.
And while she was looking at him he was sneaking glances at her and thought she was even lovelier when perpendicular than she had been when horizontal.
When the laughter had subsided Anna said
“We were headed to the sun lounge for a coffee, perhaps you would join us”
The two men agreed and Clare gave her a look of approval.
When they were seated in the lounge and the drinks were ordered the introductions were made.
Roger Greven, who walked with a stick, was a year older than Anna and Phil Grice was the same age as Clare.
Roger was there for aqua therapy to rebuild his muscles after shattering his pelvis following a fall from his horse, and his nephew Phil was there because Roger hadn’t been passed fit to drive.
“Are you from Tipton?” Clare asked
“No we are from Sharping St Mary in the Finchbottom Vale” Phil replied
“Really?” Clare exclaimed “we’re from Clarence”
“So we are practically neighbour” Anna said to Roger
They stayed in the lounge for over half an hour in which time Anna and Clare discovered that Roger was widowed and Phil was single.
Unfortunately before they could glean any further information one of the therapist staff approached the table and informed Roger that it was time for his session.
So they parted company with expressions that they hoped they would run into each other again during their stay.
After they had gone Clare and Anna looked at each other and said in unison
“Well they were nice”
(Part 04)
During the remainder of their first day and all of the next, despite their best efforts, they didn’t see Roger or his nephew.
But they had a great time using the facilities and enjoyed the full range of what was on offer, fitness classes, gym, rock sauna, infra-red sauna, aroma steam room, ice fountain, drench showers, Jacuzzi, a Romanesque pool, Reflexology, Raki, facials, scalp massage, hand massage, Manicure and Pedicure you name it they had it.
But by the end of the second day Anna was getting increasingly frustrated that she hadn’t even had a glimpse of the gentlemanly Roger.
She had thought about him a lot because she was really attracted to him and she had had long convoluted internal dialogues about it because he was the first man she had looked at in that way since she lost her husband and she felt a measure of guilt and betrayal to her husband’s memory, and how would Clare react if something developed between them?
Not that that was likely if she never saw him again.
After her and her daughter had dinner together Anna said she was going to bed as she was exhausted and Clare said she was going to the Gym to try work off her over indulgence.
Anna didn’t go off to bed, even though she was exhausted, because she knew that the internal dialogue would keep her awake so she decided to go for a walk in the grounds.
It was a beautiful moonlit night as she walked around the network of paths in the gardens and was totally lost in thought as she strolled along when she was brought back to the moment by a voice saying
“Hello again”
Anna jumped and looked around to find the source of her alarm and saw Roger Greven sitting on a bench in an arbour
“Oh hello” she responded
“I hope I didn’t startle you?” he asked
“No it’s alright” she replied “I was just miles away”
“Nothing troubling you I hope”
“Possibilities and consequences” she replied enigmatically
“Do you mind if I join you?”
“Please do” he replied amiably
“I thought we may have run into each other sooner than this” she said
“Not literally I hope” he said and they both laughed and then he added
“It was a very intense therapy session and it left me completely exhausted, so I took my meals and refreshment in my room”
“But you’re feeling better now?” she enquired
“I am, but now I can’t sleep”
“Are you in pain?” she asked
“No not pain” he replied “anguish”
“Oh” she exclaimed “About what?”
“Starting over”
“Starting over?” she repeated
“Yes, as you know I lost my wife last year, and…” he began and Anna added
“And you don’t know if it’s too soon to start again, without disrespecting his memory or betraying the love you shared with him”
“So you feel it too?” he asked and put his hand on hers as it rested on the bench.
“Yes” she gasped and squeezed his hand
“Then could we try starting over together?” he asked with trepidation
“Yes” she replied happily
And the new chapter in their lives began with a kiss in the moon light.
Anna and her daughter had to go home after lunch the next day but they spent lunchtime with Roger and his nephew and before they left Anna and Roger held hands discreetly under the table, they would have to keep whatever was happening between them to themselves until they knew for sure where it was going.
And a farewell kiss on the cheek would have to sustain them until the weekend when they were “starting over” some more.
Anna Harwood and her daughter Clare lived in the village of Clarence which was a mile or so from Purplemere.
She was 55 years old, pale skinned, strawberry blonde, turning to silver, five foot nothing tall and whippet thin and her daughter was just a younger version of her mother.
Her husband David had died the year before and as they only had one child there was only the two of them.
They both worked at the Royal Downshire Hospital in Purplemere Clare was a district nurse and Anna was a clerical officer.
The two of them did a lot of things together, shopping, eating out and the theatre.
But for Mother’s Day Clare had bought a three day, all-inclusive spa break for her mum at the Tipton Manor Hotel and Spa in the north of the county.
Clare very thoughtfully had booked for her mum and a plus one because she knew she wouldn’t be comfortable going to a place like that on her own.
But she insisted that she wanted to go with Clare, so they could spend some quality time together doing girls stuff.
Anna knew that wasn’t the kind of thing Clare had in mind, as it wasn’t her kind of thing at all.
Clare wasn’t the rest and relaxation sort at all, she was more of a party girl, which Anna thought was probably why she was still single.
So she was delighted when Clare agreed to be her Anna’s plus one.
In order for her to get the best possible deal Clare had booked a midweek mini break, and it made perfect sense to Anna, her daughter was a nurse after all, so money didn’t grow on trees but the earliest she could get was at the end of april.
It was a long drive from Clarence, on the outskirts of Purplemere, to Tipton in the north of the county but then they had taken the decision after getting off the expressway to take the scenic route through the Pepperstock Hills National Park.
But the scenery in the Park was well worth the additional time with its stark contrasts from the extensive tract of magnificent mixed forestry to the south and east, the old Quarries reclaimed by Nature to the west to the bare, and often barren crags to the north.
However despite the scenic splendour she had witnessed when they arrived Clare was not in the best of spirits.
Anna knew that Clare could have found much more enjoyable ways of spending her days off than babysitting her mother.
But she loved her even more for doing it despite her preferred pastime of looking for her ideal man, Anna kept telling her that there was no such thing but she wouldn’t listen.
But when Clare gave her a smile she knew her daughter had resolved to make the best of it and try to get her monies worth despite having her mum as her wingman.
They were greeted in reception by a very attractive specimen of a man and Anna could see Clare perk up.
He was over six feet tall, lean and muscular, very good looking and well groomed, he was manicured and pedicured, toned, tanned and smelt like a perfume counter.
Naturally Anna marked him down as gay.
(Part 02)
Anna and Clare Harwood were greeted in reception by a very attractive specimen of a man and Anna could see Clare perk up.
He was over six feet tall, lean and muscular, very good looking and well groomed, he was manicured and pedicured, toned, tanned and smelt like a perfume counter.
Naturally Anna marked him down as gay.
“Good morning ladies” he said with the faintest hint of a French accent.
“Good morning” they replied in unison
“We have a booking in the name of Harwood” Clare said
“Ah the Harwood sisters” he said
“You know very well we're not sisters you cheeky boy” Anna said in a style something akin to a Carry on movie.
“You're not sisters?” he asked feigning surprise
“Mother and daughter” she said
“And which one are you Mademoiselle” he said and kissed her hand
“Cheeky” she said and blushed
Clare didn’t contribute to the converse but Anna noticed she was giving him the full benefit of her appraisal whilst wearing a wistful expression, doubtless in regard to him playing for the other side.
When the Oscar Wilde capers were over and done with they managed to get themselves checked in and it was while she was signing in that that she became aware he was doing some appraising of his own, of her and her daughter and she began to question her initial assessment that he was gay.
“When you have settled into your room I will give you a tour of the facilities” he said “Shall we say on the terrace in 30 minutes?”
“That will be fine” Clare said
“Of course with your lovely pale skin you two will need to stay in the shadows” He said.
Anna blushed at the compliment and Clare smiled.
According to his name badge his name was Claude and he was very handsome and Anna could tell that her daughter was thinking that things might well be looking up if he didn’t bat for the other side.
“You can check my skin anytime” Clare said
“I’ll bare that in mind” he retorted
“You’re a terrible flirt Clare” mum said
“I know” she said, “although I think of it more as advertising”
They went up to their rooms and settled in and then went down stairs to find Gorgeous Claude.
However as the approached the terrace they came across him fawning over another group of women of mixed ages, ranging from 16 to 60, and they watched as he ogled and drooled over all of them and Clare felt her skin crawl and she shivered.
“Yes I know what you mean” Anna said “he’s a real lounge lizard”
So they decided to skip oily Claude’s tour and just wandered around on their own.
Their sojourn took them to the pool area first, they saw the Rock sauna, infra-red sauna, aroma steam room, ice fountain, drench showers, Jacuzzi, a Romanesque pool and the swimming pool as well.
After which they headed towards the sun lounge and refreshments which was when they literally bumped into Phil Grice and his uncle, Roger Greven.
(Part 03)
The collision between the Harwood’s and Roger Greven and his nephew Phil Grice resulted in Clare falling into a planter and Roger lying flat on his back with Anna on top of him nose to nose.
Phil Grice was the only one left standing and unsure who he should help first.
He decided on the pretty young one in the planter, who was left like an upturned beetle, with her legs waving about, which was what he noticed, her lovely legs, she was also giggling which he liked to.
“I’m terribly sorry”
He said and took her hands and pulled her to her feet, it took little effort as she was a tiny little thing and he was over six feet tall.
She was still giggling and was unable to respond and when she saw her mum lying on top of a strange man her giggles turned to belly laughs.
All four of them were laughing by the time everyone was on their feet again and between the laughter everyone expressed their apologies for their clumsiness.
Neither Anna nor Roger’s first reaction was laughter as they lay on the floor, because Roger felt anger until he realised he had been assailed by a very attractive woman while for Anna as she lay nose to nose with a nice smelling good looking man, what she felt was lust.
In between giggles Anna kept giving appraising glances at the good looking man who she had laid on top of and she liked what she saw, to the point that she though he put Claude in the shade.
He was six feet tall, with a military bearing with short salt and pepper hair, blue eyes and a neat well-groomed beard.
And while she was looking at him he was sneaking glances at her and thought she was even lovelier when perpendicular than she had been when horizontal.
When the laughter had subsided Anna said
“We were headed to the sun lounge for a coffee, perhaps you would join us”
The two men agreed and Clare gave her a look of approval.
When they were seated in the lounge and the drinks were ordered the introductions were made.
Roger Greven, who walked with a stick, was a year older than Anna and Phil Grice was the same age as Clare.
Roger was there for aqua therapy to rebuild his muscles after shattering his pelvis following a fall from his horse, and his nephew Phil was there because Roger hadn’t been passed fit to drive.
“Are you from Tipton?” Clare asked
“No we are from Sharping St Mary in the Finchbottom Vale” Phil replied
“Really?” Clare exclaimed “we’re from Clarence”
“So we are practically neighbour” Anna said to Roger
They stayed in the lounge for over half an hour in which time Anna and Clare discovered that Roger was widowed and Phil was single.
Unfortunately before they could glean any further information one of the therapist staff approached the table and informed Roger that it was time for his session.
So they parted company with expressions that they hoped they would run into each other again during their stay.
After they had gone Clare and Anna looked at each other and said in unison
“Well they were nice”
(Part 04)
During the remainder of their first day and all of the next, despite their best efforts, they didn’t see Roger or his nephew.
But they had a great time using the facilities and enjoyed the full range of what was on offer, fitness classes, gym, rock sauna, infra-red sauna, aroma steam room, ice fountain, drench showers, Jacuzzi, a Romanesque pool, Reflexology, Raki, facials, scalp massage, hand massage, Manicure and Pedicure you name it they had it.
But by the end of the second day Anna was getting increasingly frustrated that she hadn’t even had a glimpse of the gentlemanly Roger.
She had thought about him a lot because she was really attracted to him and she had had long convoluted internal dialogues about it because he was the first man she had looked at in that way since she lost her husband and she felt a measure of guilt and betrayal to her husband’s memory, and how would Clare react if something developed between them?
Not that that was likely if she never saw him again.
After her and her daughter had dinner together Anna said she was going to bed as she was exhausted and Clare said she was going to the Gym to try work off her over indulgence.
Anna didn’t go off to bed, even though she was exhausted, because she knew that the internal dialogue would keep her awake so she decided to go for a walk in the grounds.
It was a beautiful moonlit night as she walked around the network of paths in the gardens and was totally lost in thought as she strolled along when she was brought back to the moment by a voice saying
“Hello again”
Anna jumped and looked around to find the source of her alarm and saw Roger Greven sitting on a bench in an arbour
“Oh hello” she responded
“I hope I didn’t startle you?” he asked
“No it’s alright” she replied “I was just miles away”
“Nothing troubling you I hope”
“Possibilities and consequences” she replied enigmatically
“Do you mind if I join you?”
“Please do” he replied amiably
“I thought we may have run into each other sooner than this” she said
“Not literally I hope” he said and they both laughed and then he added
“It was a very intense therapy session and it left me completely exhausted, so I took my meals and refreshment in my room”
“But you’re feeling better now?” she enquired
“I am, but now I can’t sleep”
“Are you in pain?” she asked
“No not pain” he replied “anguish”
“Oh” she exclaimed “About what?”
“Starting over”
“Starting over?” she repeated
“Yes, as you know I lost my wife last year, and…” he began and Anna added
“And you don’t know if it’s too soon to start again, without disrespecting his memory or betraying the love you shared with him”
“So you feel it too?” he asked and put his hand on hers as it rested on the bench.
“Yes” she gasped and squeezed his hand
“Then could we try starting over together?” he asked with trepidation
“Yes” she replied happily
And the new chapter in their lives began with a kiss in the moon light.
Anna and her daughter had to go home after lunch the next day but they spent lunchtime with Roger and his nephew and before they left Anna and Roger held hands discreetly under the table, they would have to keep whatever was happening between them to themselves until they knew for sure where it was going.
And a farewell kiss on the cheek would have to sustain them until the weekend when they were “starting over” some more.
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