EPISODE TWENTY-EIGHT

There were two messages on Dave’s answering machine. The first was from Mary, asking when it would be convenient to come and look at the house. The other message was like a hand gripping his throat.
‘Hello, Dave,’ purred the voice, menacing in its familiarity. ‘See you got rid of that eyesore. Bit naughty getting an AA tow. You’ve ‘ad a good laugh at our expense. So now it’s our turn. You’re gonna have to pay for what you done.’
The caller hung up. Dave felt like crying. If only he’d known how sour this prank could turn. He wondered if he ought to call the police. But what was the point? The man was probably ringing from a public call box. Dave could have sworn he heard traffic noises in the background.
But there was Mary to consider. She would be moving in soon with her children. Should he warn her? On the other hand, he didn’t want to frighten her unnecessarily. He would be going away soon. Perhaps the caller might see that his car was gone and stop calling.
He decided not to mention it.
He picked up the phone and dialled Mary’s number.

*


Ted bundled his rail uniform into the sports bag, pleased that Marjorie had insisted on him changing at work. Now he could dump his bag in the shed and go off to the theatre with Donald.
‘What are you smiling at?’ said Marjorie, straightening a corner of the duvet.
Ted frowned. ‘How d’you mean?’
‘You were grinning to yourself. Care to share the joke?’
‘Oh, it’s nothing, Marj. I was miles away.’
‘You don’t want to tell me, do you?’
‘Maybe my subconscious was having a bit of a laugh.’
‘You what?’
‘Nothing.’
He gave his hair a cursory brushing, not wanting to be seen to be taking to much care over his appearance.
‘You really are a dark horse, Ted.’
He noticed she said it with a trace of affection in her voice. As he turned towards her, preparing to leave, she took his hand and sat on the edge of the bed.
‘If you want, Ted, I don’t mind if we go and see some of them plays you like. I know it means a lot to you.’
He looked down at her in amazement. She took this to be an expression of pleasant surprise and said, ‘Since we’ve been sleeping in separate rooms, I’ve been starting to feel...well...different about you. Like when we was first going out together.’
‘I...I’ll be late for work. ’His voice was a nervous croak. This was so unexpected, he was thrown off balance.
She tugged his hand gently, indicating that he should sit next to her. Reluctantly he allowed himself to sink down beside her. She lay back on the bed.
‘It’s so hot,’ she whispered. ‘I feel so...’
‘Marjorie. I’m late.’
‘All the better. ’She smiled seductively. ‘Remember how it was when we was first going out together? It was always last minute...before you left for work.  Come on, Ted: let’s do the London to Brighton in five minutes again.’

*

Mary sipped her wine. Dave toasted her with his cup of tea.
‘Cheers!’
‘I wouldn’t have brought the wine if I’d known.’  She sounded put out. ‘Have you always been teetotal?’
Dave shook his head. ‘I used to do two bottles of vodka a day. That was in the Eighties. When I was earning.’
She looked around at his cramped, rather squalid, living room. It seemed impersonal, like furnished, rented accommodation.
‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘It’s not much of a place.’
‘Beggars can’t be choosers. ’She realized it sounded rude, and added, ‘It’s...it’s okay, actually.’
He grinned at her. ‘Don’t tell fibs.’
She returned his smile. ‘Well, I must admit, it could do with a female touch.’
‘It could do with a lick of paint. Somehow I’ve never had the inclination. Nor the money.’
‘I hope you won’t think me rude if I ask what the kitchen’s like. Only I’ve been used to...well, the flat where I am now has been thoroughly modernised.’
‘You’ll find this a bit different then.’
He stared into his tea cup, slightly annoyed by her attitude. He was doing her an enormous favour and she didn’t sound at all grateful. He began to wonder if he was doing the right thing, offering his home rent free to someone he’d only just met.
‘Oh well,’ she sighed, ‘not to worry. I can probably tart it up a bit for you.  That’s if you’d like me to.’
‘I’m not bothered. I mean, you can if you want.’
‘Have you ever been married?’
A distant, hundred-yard look closed the expression in his eyes.
‘I’m sorry,’ said Mary. ‘Tell me to mind my own business.’
‘Mind your own business,’ he joked.
‘Seriously. Have you ever been married?’
‘I’ll tell you about it sometime.’ He stood up.  ‘Would you like to see the kitchen?’
But her curiosity was aroused. ‘Don’t you want to talk about it?’
‘Not right now.’
She smiled reassuringly. ‘Okay. Why don’t you show me the rest of the house? What are the bedrooms like?’
He started to speak and stopped, wondering if there was any hidden meaning in her question.
‘What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?’
Thinking quickly, he said, ‘I’ve, er, go to be away all summer, and this house ’ll not be much fun for your kids when they break up. You could always spend it in Cromer with me.’
She moved close to him and kissed him gently on the lips. ‘That’s really sweet of you, Dave. I’ll give it some thought.’
He went to fold his arms about her waist but she pushed him away. ‘Come on now. Don’t rush things.’
‘I’ve known loads of chorus girls like you. Like to tease and lead a bloke on.’
He had said it jokingly, but she caught the underlying seriousness of his tone.

IN EPISODE TWENTY-NINE

Nicky has problems at work and Chloe makes a decision about her pregnancy.



Episode Twenty-nine  Homepage