When Alice Met Danny Page 21

  Alice smiled. ‘Yes, Vicky. He knew I was coming to see you today. He’s probably glued to the telephone. Ring him.’ She finished her tea and stood up.

  ‘Thank you, Alice. Thank you with all my heart.’ Vicky gave her a hug, assisted by little Danny. A smile came to her face. ‘Before you go, you’ve got to see this one’s latest trick. Come and watch.’

  Together, they walked through to the lounge where a blanket was spread across the carpet. The blanket was dotted with brightly-coloured toys and animals. ‘Right, here we go. He’s learnt how to crawl.’ She placed him gently on the ground. ‘There’s just one problem. You’ll see.’ Danny pushed himself up onto his hands and knees and looked around with a cheeky grin. Then he launched into an energetic crawl. The only problem was that he was crawling backwards. Seconds later he had to be retrieved from the sofa, where he had jammed himself under the front – right up to his nappy. They both laughed out loud, the atmosphere once more happy.

  Vicky accompanied Alice to the door. She gave her a big hug on the doorstep. ‘Thanks so very much, Alice. And I’ll make that phone call now, I promise.’

  Chapter 43

  Next door, at number 23, Alice found that it was all go. Reggie Burrell was just finishing laying the floor tiles in the kitchen, in readiness for the kitchen units that were coming the following Monday. Upstairs, she could hear his brother Max muttering to himself as he struggled with the intricate job of tiling around the bath and basin. Billy the body beautiful was conspicuous by his absence.

  ‘Where’s Billy?’ She saw Reg look up.

  ‘Morning, Alice. He’s sulking.’ His dad gave her a big smile. ‘He was out with some woman over the weekend and she asked him if all the bulging muscles were an allergic reaction to something. He still hasn’t recovered.’ He raised himself to his feet, groaning as his knees protested. ‘Apart from his hurt pride, he’s fine though. He’s round at Megan’s house. She’s got a leak.’

  ‘While I think of it, Reg, Derek Tinker asked me to ask if one of you could go round some time and fix a leak by the back door. He said it’s not urgent.’

  ‘Fine, I’ll stick it on the list. What do you think of your kitchen floor? We’ll need to give it a couple of days to dry out and then I’ll pop back at the end of the week to do the grout.’

  It looked very impressive. ‘Terrific, Reg. So is it all right for Neil to start the painting and decorating next week?’

  ‘Absolutely. It won’t be long now. Pretty soon you will be ordering carpets. Then you’ll flog this one, and move on to your next project.’ He gave her a grin. ‘A good property developer would already have the next one lined up, you know.’

  ‘After buying a house full of poo, I think it’ll be a while before I contemplate another development. Anyway, I’ve decided to sign up for a course at the university. That’ll keep me out of trouble.’

  ‘Talking of trouble, do you know Mandy, the Woodcombe gossip?’

  ‘Doesn’t everybody?’

  ‘Well, the word on the street is that her ex-husband is back. He was competing in some sailing competition. And won it, too, I believe. So, does the fact that he’s down here mean they will be getting back together?’

  Alice almost jumped. She did her best to keep her face expressionless as she replied. ‘Reginald Burrell, you are turning into a worse gossip than Mandy.’

  ‘You’re wrong there, Alice. He always has been a worse gossip than her.’ They both looked round. It was Scottie the tattooed plumber. He was smiling. ‘I thought I’d just call by to see that the bad weather hasn’t caused any trouble here.’

  ‘Thanks, Scottie, that was kind. I haven’t been upstairs yet, but I think we’re dry.’

  ‘The roof’s not my department. If you’ve got a leak up there, it’s down to these comedians.’ He glanced across at Reggie with a smile. ‘I was more worried about the drains. I’ve spent most of the morning trying to unblock old drains and helping people bail out their houses.’ He tiptoed across the newly-laid tiles and peered out of the back door. ‘No, we’re fine. That’s good.’

  Alice was very glad that the topic of conversation had changed. In view of Reggie’s reputation as a gossip, she refrained from revealing exactly who Danny was here to visit. Instead, she went on the offensive. ‘Anyway, Reg, I’ve got a bit of gossip for you.’ Both men looked round expectantly. ‘The word on the street is that a certain builder is more interested in fishing than in his girlfriend.’

  He looked up in alarm. ‘Oh no, she’s not angry with me, is she? She told me she didn’t mind.’

  He looked so worried, she put him out of his misery. ‘No, Reg, she still loves you.’ She saw his cheeks redden. Scottie gave him a dig in the ribs as she went on. ‘That was just me giving you a hard time.’

  ‘Well, I’m cooking fish for her tonight to make up for it.’

  ‘Tell her where you got the fish, Reg.’ Max was evidently listening from upstairs. Reggie looked a bit shamefaced.

  ‘Yeah, all right, so I bought it.’ He saw the expression on Alice’s face. ‘The sort of fishing I do – inland waters, mainly carp – we weigh them, photograph them if they’re big enough, and then put them back in.’ He caught Alice’s eye. ‘So I’ve ordered a couple of sea bass from Tom down by the harbour.’

  ‘Well, it’s the thought that counts. Anyway, seriously, how’s it going with Megan? Were my services as Cupid worthwhile?’ He gave her a beaming smile.

  ‘I owe you, Alice. She’s a great lady. Anyway, talking of Cupid, how’re you doing for yourself? Found the love of your life yet?’

  She gave him a broad smile. ‘Who’s to say?’

  As Alice left the house, she saw Joyce Parker with her spaniel. She stopped for a long chat and promised her a viewing of the house once it was finished. Mrs Parker had been talking to the Burrell brothers and was planning to use them to build her a conservatory. If relations with my friends call me Danny hadn’t been soured, Alice would have advised her to go and see what he had done. As it was, she restricted herself to giving the builders a glowing reference.

  She drove down into town and went shopping for food for that evening. She had decided to make it simple, but really good. After buying fresh scallops, she invested in a fine bottle of Chablis to go with it. By the time, she reached home, it was almost four o’clock in the afternoon. The rain had stopped and the clouds were beginning to break up. As she locked the car, the front door to Drake Cottage opened. Derek Tinker was standing there, a broad smile on his face.

  ‘It’s a full time job being your neighbour, you know. Not one, but two deliveries for you today.’ He reached into the hall behind him and brought out a huge bunch of red roses. ‘This lot arrived a couple of hours ago.’ He handed them over to a now blushing Alice. She saw the envelope pinned to the paper. Inside was a card. The message was simple: With love, Danny. She smiled at the memory of the previous evening, and the thought of the night to come.

  ‘And here’s the other one.’ Derek was still smiling as he brought out another large bunch of roses. This time they were white roses. ‘These arrived only a matter of minutes ago. He brought them round himself, so I know who these are from.’ This bunch was not in a florists’ wrapper, but there was a card tucked in along with the blooms. It read: To Alice with more thanks than I can express. xxx Daniel

  ‘So two different men, eh? Looks like you are fighting them off now. Or rather, you’re playing them off against each other. Not that it surprises me, after seeing the way you answer the phone.’ She didn’t believe she could blush more, but somehow she achieved it.

  ‘If you promise to stop reminding me about that scene, I’ll reveal all.’ As she said it, she realised her mistake. She rushed to correct herself, but not before he had started guffawing. ‘I mean I’ll tell you all about it.’

  She opened her front door and both of them received a boisterous welcome from Danny the dog. She led Derek through to the coffee machine and told him about her mission to reunite Daniel and Vic
toria. She then went on to tell him about what had transpired with my friends call me Danny and the war letters. He shared her anger.

  ‘That’s just plain mean. If we were in Canada I’d chain him to a tree and leave him for the wolves or the bears.’

  She considered it. ‘There’s a badger sett down by the stream. I wonder if that might do.’ She passed him a coffee and settled down to eat a sandwich at the kitchen table. She offered him one, but he shook his head.

  ‘Thanks, I’ve eaten. So what effect is this injunction going to have on your plans?’

  ‘I’ll survive.’ Alice knew she would. ‘The worst part was losing Danny Green, the person, not just a faceless soldier of the Great War.’ She had begun to develop a deep relationship with him as a result of the letters.

  Just then, there was a knock on the front door. Alice and the dog both went to see who it was. It was Megan.

  ‘I smelt the coffee as I was walking past. I don’t suppose…’

  ‘Come on in. I think I might open a coffee shop one of these days.’ She led the way to the kitchen and set about making more coffee. She cast an interrogative glance at Derek, but he handed her his empty cup and shook his head.

  ‘No thanks. I’d better not. But it’s definitely the best coffee I’ve had in the UK.’ He stood up, ruffled the dog’s ears and left the two ladies to it. ‘Thanks again. I’ll let myself out.’

  Megan was eyeing the bunches of roses. Alice could see that similar thoughts were going through her head as had struck Derek. It seemed best to explain. ‘The red ones are from a certain windsurfer.’ Megan caught her eye and smiled. ‘The white ones are from Daniel Tremayne. I have been on a mission for him this morning.’ She went on to relate the events in the kitchen of Manor Farm the previous day and then her visit to Vicky that morning. She was pleased to see Megan’s face light up.

  ‘Alice, we should be drinking champagne, not coffee. That’s the best news I’ve heard for weeks, months. So Daniel has made up his mind to restart his life. That’s so wonderful!’

  ‘And he used me as the messenger.’

  ‘It makes sense. He told you himself his emotions are still all up in the air. He would probably have got himself into a real old state. And that might have frightened her off. No, you do the Cupid act so well, you were the obvious choice.’

  Alice gave her a smile. ‘Which reminds me, my spies tell me you are having fish tonight.’

  ‘I’ve always fancied finding myself a hunter-gatherer. And a man prepared to cook it as well, that’s amazing.’

  ‘My money’s on you having to do the washing up. Anyway, don’t be disappointed if the fish wasn’t exactly pulled out of the water by your man in person.’ She told Megan what Max had revealed down at number 23. ‘Anyway, it’s the thought that counts. And the fact that he’s doing all the work. That’s awesome.’

  ‘Awesome?’ Megan gave her a quizzical look. ‘Have you been consorting with the younger generation by any chance?’

  ‘Worse than that. If you reach behind you into the washing basket you will see my latest purchase. It’s the grey one.’ She watched as Megan pulled out the new, still slightly damp T-shirt and held it up. ‘Now it’s official. I’m a windsurfing WAG.’

  ‘Getting serious, eh? So, dinner last night..?’

  ‘…was a picnic on the cliff tops. Yes, very romantic.’ She gave Megan the edited highlights of the evening. ‘And tonight he’s coming round here for dinner.’

  ‘And what are you giving him?’

  Alice knew that as far as she was concerned, the menu was the least important part of the evening. ‘I’ve bought some scallops. I’ll do them with a mixed salad and a few boiled potatoes. And strawberries and cream for afters. I know it’s not very inspired, but it’ll do.’

  ‘It sounds lovely. I’ll think of you, as my personal chef waits upon me hand and foot.’

  As Alice walked Megan to the door, she remembered that not everything had gone smoothly that day. On the doorstep she related her encounter with my friends call me Danny. Megan shared her outrage, but did her best to look on the bright side.

  ‘It’s not the end of the world. There will be lots and lots of material coming out about the First World War over the next few years. It is the Centenary after all. I’m sure you’ll find other sources for your research. Cheer up, it could be worse.’

  Chapter 44

  After Megan had left, Alice tidied the kitchen and then started preparing the food for that evening. As she peeled the potatoes, she thought about what Megan had said. When all was said and done, she was right. The loss of the war letters was not the end of the world. They had served their purpose by whetting her appetite for that period and getting her to commit to the MA. She would need to do a lot more background reading, but Danny Green had already given her a good idea of life in the trenches.

  She began to feel more and more excited at the prospect of the night ahead. Around five o’clock she went upstairs, took a bath and washed her hair. She spent an hour in the bathroom before making a very careful choice of clothes. She was still trying on underwear when she heard her phone ringing in the kitchen. Anxious to avoid a repeat of the embarrassment of that morning, she wrapped a robe around her and ran downstairs. She glanced at the caller ID. It was him.

  ‘Hi, Danny.’ She felt breathless with anticipation.

  ‘Hi, look, something’s happened. I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it tonight. I’m sorry, really sorry.’ His voice sounded weary, his tone subdued.

  ‘What is it, Danny? What’s wrong?’ She could hear it in his voice. She sat down on a chair. ‘Is it something you want to talk about?’

  ‘I can’t talk now.’ He was keeping his voice low, little more than a whisper. From the background noise, it sounded as if he was in a public place. ‘I’ll call you tomorrow. I’m going to be staying down here for a while longer. Like I say, I’ll call you tomorrow. I’ll explain then and I’ll see you. All right? I’m really sorry. Bye.’ He hung up.

  She sat there in bewilderment for some time. He had sounded sad and vulnerable, no longer the confident windsurfing god. For a moment she wondered if he was unwell, but surely he would have told her if he was. She felt a cold nose against her fingers. Danny the dog could tell that all was not well. She stroked him with her hand. She felt puzzled and, deep down inside, bitterly disappointed.

  She went back upstairs and changed into more comfortable underwear. She slipped on a T-shirt and jeans and made her way back down to the kitchen. It was gone six o’clock. She decided to take the dog for a walk to clear her head. After the excitement of her meeting with Vicky, the rest of the day was turning out to be an unmitigated disaster. She had lost her friendship with my friends call me Danny, she had lost her connection with wartime Danny, and now her eagerly-awaited night with her Danny was not to be.

  ‘I’m losing Dannys left, right and centre.’ The dog looked up at the sound of his name. ‘At least I’ve still got you, Danny.’ He wagged his tail, but that might have been the prospect of the walk.

  She roused herself and they set off down the road to the field, but her mind wasn’t really concentrating on where they walked. She was more interested in wondering what was the matter with Danny? He had sounded so grim. She had never heard him so desperate before. Nevertheless, she did her best to stay positive and threw a stick for the dog. He at least was unaffected by her troubles. Some of his delight at being out in the open communicated itself to her and she began to feel a bit better.

  The clear patches of sky had clouded over. It was just beginning to spit with rain again by the time they left the field to return home. Then, as they came along the lane at the back of the church, she stopped dead and did a double-take.

  There, parked at the side of the road, was Danny’s car – the trio of windsurf boards tied to the roof unmistakable. She swallowed hard, trying to make sense of what was before her. It took a few moments before her befuddled brain registered that the car was parked outside the l
ovely faded ochre cottage belonging to Mandy the gossip, aka Danny’s ex-wife.

  She hurried past, face averted in case anybody might glance out of a window and see her. She and the dog jogged back up the road, past the pub, until they reached home, where she let herself in and closed the door firmly behind her. Still in a daze, she walked through to the kitchen, absentmindedly put the kettle on and offered a biscuit to the dog. He took it back to his basket and collapsed with a weary sigh. She sat down at the table with a similar sound.

  ‘Was Reggie right, Danny?’ The dog was too busy with the biscuit for small talk. ‘Are they getting back together?’ She remembered seeing Mandy on the beach, just before the windsurfing event. She had looked younger and very attractive. Maybe she had been able to rekindle her ex-husband’s feelings for her. A shiver went down her spine.

  She opened the fridge and took out the bottle of Chablis Premier Cru she had bought specially for the occasion. She dug out the corkscrew, drew the cork and poured herself a full glass. She set it down on the table and thought about food. She didn’t feel like very much to eat, so she made herself a snack of salad and celery, along with a piece of Daniel Tremayne’s cheese. She sat down at her laptop. The events of the last few hours had shaken her out of her good humour. She felt quite wretched. What had started as such a wonderful day was finishing in misery.

  She did her best to concentrate, but it was no good. Finally she closed the laptop and flicked on the TV. The local news was just finishing with a report about people flooded out by the day’s downpour, a car crushed under a fallen tree, sheep marooned by floodwater, and a bridge washed away only a few miles from Woodcombe. The weather forecast was equally depressing, with the prospect of a very wet morning for Mrs Tinker’s funeral the next day.