WHEN I SAY

 

When I say, "I love you", I mean it.

Look into my eyes and believe it

Look into my heart and feel it

Tales from the Finchbottom Vale – (30) The Verger’s Patience

 

The village of Highfinch sits just on the edge of the Pepperstock Hills and the Lily Green Hollows Golf Club separated the village from the Hamlet of Lily Green, and the combination of the two made up the parish of St Martins.

The Vicar of the said parish was Reverend Jenna Lawton, soon to be Faulkner.

Although she was relatively new to the role of Vicar she had previously been Reverend Mortimer’s Curate, a position she held for ten years. 

However when the previous Vicar suffered a serious heart attack it was so severe he was unable to resume his duties.

Almost her first act as Vicar of St Martins was to appoint Tom Rowlands as her Verger.

He was replacing 70 year old Carl Daniel who had held the position under Reverend Mortimer for 30 years and when his old friend was struck down he took it as a sign that he should retire his services.

Tom had lived in Lily Green all of his life and still lived in the same cottage where he was born.

Lily Green was an idyllic hamlet and the cottage had proper chocolate box quaintness.

In fact it was perfect in almost every way save one, he didn’t have someone special to share it with.

His parents were gone and he had no siblings, his mother had him late in life.

 

He was an unremarkable looking man, anonymous looking really.

In fact everything about him was average, average height, average build, grey eyes and mousy hair.

He was 33 years old and he’d been alone for 5 years but the church offered him something he had never had, a large family.

He responded to the love he found at St Martin’s and became a hard worker on their behalf in every aspect of Church life.

Choir, parish magazine, youth groups, Sunday school, Fund Raising, sales, Fetes, and Bazaars.

And it was through the church that he met Patience Rudd. 

 

His reward for all his hard work was a phone call a few days after Jenna Lawton was confirmed as the new Vicar.

“Tom?” a woman’s voice said

“Yes that’s me” he replied

“It’s Jenna” she said “Jenna Lawton”

“Hello Vicar” he said.

“What can I do for you?”

“I know its short notice but...” she hesitated

“Would you mind taking Carl Daniel's place on the church committee?”

“What me?”

“Yes you” She confirmed “we are fast approaching the festive season and well…”

“Of course, when do you need me?”

“Ten minutes?” she asked hopefully

“Ok” he said “I’ll leave now”

 

After his first meeting sitting on the church committee he was asked to stay on afterwards by the Vicar and he was a little nervous when she closed the door.

“Thank you for stepping into the breech” Jenna said

“That’s ok Vicar”

“I have something else to ask of you” she said

“Ask away”

“I would like you to apply for the Vergers job” Jenna said

“Oh no” he replied “I couldn’t do that”

“But you would be perfect” she said “nobody works harder than you do for St Martins”

“But that’s just on a voluntary basis” he said “I’m not qualified to be Verger”

“You are perfectly qualified” Jenna said “Please think about it”

 

Tom took the Vicars advice and applied to fill the vacancy as Verger and his first official task saw him carrying the Virge at the Sunday service on the first Sunday of Advent and he had never felt prouder but when he went home he had no one to share it with.

He did have someone in mind who he would have liked to share his big moment with and that was Patience Rudd.

 

He had known her for 5 years ever since he started attending St Martins, she was a few years younger than him and was also unremarkable looking, and ticked all the average boxes but to him she was far from ordinary.

Unlike him she had always been part of the Church since she was a little girl.

She was one of the first people he met when he made his first tentative steps into St Martin’s and Tom fell in love with the shy timid Patience instantly and the attraction was mutual.

But neither of them did anything about it, they were far too shy.

Despite the fact that they did so much together for the Church they never took the tiny final step to be together.

So as the weeks turned into months and the months to years the gulf seemed to grow exponentially and the tiny step seemed more like it was a giant leap.

 

They always radiated towards each other on committees, pastorates and church groups and always volunteered for the same things.

And they talked freely with no awkwardness of self-consciousness as long as they didn’t think about the other in the way they wanted them to be.

Even after he became the Verger things didn’t change between them.

Although he came very close at the St Martin’s Christmas Bazaar.

 

Both Tom and Patience arrived early at St Martin’s School and it was already a hive of activity.

“Goodness” he said “And I was worried I was too early”

“Yes me too” she agreed

“Shall we get stuck in then” he suggested

“Yes lets”

They worked together all morning and he would have liked to have helped her on the Bric-à-brac stall but he had already volunteered to help out in Santa’s Grotto.

“I’ve got to go” he said

“Oh ok” she said flatly

“But I’ll come and help you pack up at the end if you like”

“Yes please”

 

To get to the grotto he had to enter via an adjoining classroom, festively decked out, which acted as an ante room where a small number of children and their accompanying parents waited their turn, and where the school’s drama teacher, Cherry Overton-Brown, who for some reason was dressed as Robin Hood, kept order.

And beyond the anteroom in the corridor there was a sizable queue of expectant children.

 

The grotto opened to the first child at 1 pm and there was a pretty constant stream almost non-stop until 4 o’clock.

The new Curate, Rosie, dressed as and Bernard the Elf, escorted the excited or apprehensive child in from the ante chamber, who would then climb up on to Santa’s lap.

Santa would then have a quick chat with them and give them their gift, and then Tom, would take a photo.

Rosie then escorted the happy child back out to their parents and this well-oiled machine kept operating like that for 3 hours and when Rosie escorted the final child back to their waiting parents Tom followed them out.

Tom then hurried to the hall and was greeted by a smiling Patience.

In fact so radiant was her smile that he decided there and then to ask her out.

“Patience I…” he began but the Vicar suddenly appeared and started rummaging through the books and the moment was gone and he lost his nerve.

 

After losing his nerve at the Christmas Bazaar when the Vicar interrupted him on the verge of asking Patience out, Tom never regained it again.

So they returned to the same pattern as before, they saw a lot of each other but never went to the next level and would probably have remained that way indefinitely had fate not intervened on a late spring morning.

 

Tom was in the vestry talking to Hemmings Funeral Directors about three impending funerals when the Vicar appeared in the doorway wearing a worried expression, he completed his call and hung up.

“Hello Vicar” he said “Is everything ok?”

“I’m not sure” she replied “Have you heard from Patience today?”

“No I haven’t, why?”

“Well she hasn’t been in to pick up her quota of Parish Magazine’s from the Village Hall” she explained

The first Monday of the month was Parish Magazine delivery day and all the volunteers would pick them up by 10 o’clock.

But by 11.30 everyone had been in bar Patience.

“That’s not like her” he said

“No it’s not” the Vicar agreed “I’ve tried ringing but her mobile is just going to voice mail”

On hearing that Tom offered his services in her stead.

“I’ll do her round” he said “And I’ll call in to the farm and make sure she’s ok”

“That would be great Tom” she said with real relief in her voice “Thank you”

 

It wasn’t how he planned to spend his day but he didn’t mind and being out and about in the fresh air on such a lovely day was not a chore and it would put his mind at rest.

Patience Rudd’s “patch” was on the Kettlewell side of the village and consisted of about 25 dwellings dotted along Kettlewell Lane and Finchtop Way, it was about a two hour round trip at an average pace

But he was in a rush to check up on Patience so even though it was a warm pleasant day he set off at pace with the bag slung across his shoulder.

 

Tom had only one thought in his head as he delivered the Parish Magazines on his way up Kettlewell Lane, Patience, and he wanted to get to Rudd’s Farm, the furthest most destination from the village on his route.

He turned off Kettlewell Lane and into Finchtop Way which was a horseshoe shaped road that climbed quite steeply up the hill then eased down the other side re-joining Kettlewell Lane some ¾ of a mile nearer to Highfinch.

Just as he was insight of Rudd’s farm it started to rain a typical spring shower which would soak him to the skin and there were no convenient trees to shelter under, so he made a run for it some fifty yards or so and just ahead was the hay barn and he thought it the most likely source of shelter so he ran in that direction.

Once he got close he noticed the door was a jar so he pushed on it softly.   

“Hello” he called as the door opened and inside he found Patience Rudd laying in a heap on the floor.

“Patience!” he called and rushed to her side

He could see straight away that her leg was broken by its unnatural position.

It was obvious what had happened she had fallen from the hayloft.

“Patience!” he said and took hold of her hand which was cold.

Her eyes opened and squeezed his fingers.

“Tom” she said and gave a weak smile.

He released her hand long enough to take his coat off and lay on top of her, then he held her hand again which she gripped tightly.

“It really hurts Tom” she said

“I’ll go and get help”

“No don’t leave me” she begged

“But I need to get someone” he retorted

“There’s no one here” she explained “Mums gone to Purplemere and Dad and the boys are on the other side of the farm clearing ditches”

“Ok I’ll phone for an ambulance” he suggested

“But don’t leave me” she insisted

“Ok I’m not going anywhere”

He dialled 999 and responded to all the operators’ questions.

“Ambulance please”

“Rudd Farm, Finchtop Way, off Kettlewell Lane”

“A girl has fallen from the hayloft, and has a broken leg”

“I don’t know if she lost consciousness, I don’t even know when she fell, but she’s cold frightened and in pain”

“My name is Tom Rowlands and I’m not going anywhere”

“Do you promise” Patience said weakly

“Do I promise what?” he asked

“Not to go anywhere” she said

“Absolutely”

“Say it then” she begged

“I promise not to go anywhere” Tom said “I promise not to leave you, and I promise that I’m never going to leave you” 

“That’s a lot of promises”

“I mean to keep them all” he said

 

All the feelings of hopeless longing he had felt for her over the previous 5 years came swimming to the surface, and along with them came anger.

Anger at his weakness, his cowardice at not telling her how he felt and now she was laying broken and bruised on the floor of the barn and he could lose her forever.

Having never told her how much she was loved and how much he loved her.

And then a grave dark thought filled his mind about how the next conversation he had with Hemmings Funeral Directors could be to arrange Patience’s funeral.

“You have to tell her now before it’s too late!” he screamed inside his head

“You must”

Tom took her small hand in his hands and said

“Patience, darling, I have something important to say to you”

“Did you call me darling?” she asked dreamily

“Yes I did”

“I like that” she said

Tom was concerned she was going to lose consciousness before he said the words

“Patience, I have something very important to say to you”

“What’s that?” she said very quietly  

“I love you, Patience Rudd” Tom said “I have always loved you, and I always will”

Patience never responded and drifted off into unconsciousness so he was unsure if she had heard a word he had said let alone understand it.

 

A few moments after he had made his declaration of love he heard the ambulance approaching.

“They’re here darling” he said and kissed her hand then he rushed outside to show them the way.

“Over here!” he shouted

 

He kept in the back ground while the paramedics did their thing and listened intently to what they were saying.

He was right about the broken leg but in addition she had a dislocated shoulder and several cracked ribs.

 

Tom went out into the yard and phoned the Vicar and let her know what had happened.

While he was there Mrs Rudd drove into the yard and broke sharply.

“What’s happened?” she shouted

“Patience fell from the hay loft” Tom said

“Is she ok?”

Just as Tom was about to tell her what he knew. Andy Mason, the paramedic, appeared from the barn, at one end of a trolley so Tom deferred to him.

 

While he explained to Mrs Rudd the rest of the trolley appeared with Patience aboard, Andy finished just as the procession reached the back of the ambulance and then he said

“We’ll take her to The Royal Downshire in Purplemere”

“Ok I’ll follow on in the car” she replied

But just before they loaded Patience into the ambulance she opened her eyes and pulled the oxygen mask aside and said

“I love you too Tom”

Then she closed her eyes again and Andy replaced her mask.

“I suppose you’d better come in the car with me” Mrs Rudd said and smiled

COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIP

 

It was early morning

The sun was barely up

I knew because I saw it rise

I had lain in the darkness

Awake and aware for hours

Unable to sleep

Uneasy in my mind

Fearful of what maybe

Helpless in the face of events

Powerless to influence them

Just too far away

A continent away

Then I saw darkness slip into gloom

Then from gloom to glory

And in that glorious dawn light

I listened to world awaken

With all the sounds of first light

The chirruping birds

Of the dawn chorus

A milk float on its way

Clinking and rattling

Joe next door heading for work

Early turn this week

Then so I didn’t want to hear

The sound I was dreading

Beside me on the night stand

The telephone rang

A numbing fear gripped me

And for a moment I was frozen

Unable to move

Powerless to answer it

It’s never good news

Not at the crack of dawn

Good news always waits

Until a decent hour

When the telling of it can be savoured

And the listening appreciated

Good news was delivered with coffee

And consumed with tea

Good news did not come

With the breaking day and the dawn chorus

Only bad news came so early

Bad news never waited

There was no reason to wait

Bad news had no good time

It just had to be delivered

The phone rang again

And the fear released its grip on me

And I picked up the phone

The conversation was short

Its contents concise

It was the news I was expecting

Dreading, fearing

It was confirmed

I was now a member of the club

Sadly not an exclusive group

Quite indiscriminate in its selection

A club few wanted to join

But whose ranks are unshrinking

I had friends in the club

My wife was even a member

As was my boss

There was no shame in it

No social stigma

But I would have given anything

To have been excluded

To be denied admittance

To have my enrolment

Delayed for 10 or 20 years

Or even a few precious days

Just one short day, not even a whole day

Just a few hours over my travelling time

This is not an uncommon reaction

I am reliably informed

To resist membership

It’s not a club you want to join

After all no one chooses to join

The dead Dads club

Tales from the Finchbottom Vale – (29) Love at a Canter

 

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.

 

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”

 

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

 

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 

 

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.

 

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.

I COULD NOT WEEP FOR HIM

 

I could not weep

When he was diagnosed

And I feared the worst

Or when the false smile appeared

And he feared it too

And put on a brave face

 

I could not weep

As I sat at his side

His hand once as strong as atlas

Now to weak to grip

Weak like a babe

More so

 

I could not weep

As I watched the frown

Furrowing his weathered face

Grey, expressionless

And as his frown faded,

As the morphine took control

 

I could not weep

As he lay motionless,

Breath shallow

Silent, almost

But for the occasional groan

Beneath the morphine

 

I could not weep

At his deathbed

As the monster within

Crept through his organs

Hastening the end

For him and for itself

 

I could not weep

As his muscles relaxed

And the pain was no more

As he exhaled his last

And his soul passed

When he was at peace

 

I could not weep

Not because it wasn’t macho

Nor for lack of love

It was perhaps numbness

Or a need to be strong

For family, others

 

I could not weep

When my father died

When he released his grip on life

And I kissed him goodbye

I felt only relief

That his suffering had ended

 

I could not weep

Not even at his funeral

When all who loved him gathered

And we shared memories

Even when the curtains drew

I could not weep for him

 

Fourteen years later

On a cold December morning

I held my first born son

And amidst the tears of joy

I wept for him

As I held his grandson

Tales from the Finchbottom Vale – (28) To Catch a Thief and Steal a Heart

 

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.

 

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?” 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”

 

“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.

 

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”

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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 

 

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

 

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.