EPISODE SIXTY
Early on Monday morning, ignoring the closed
sign on the door, Maggie swept into Craig’s fish and chip shop. Her brother was standing at the fish fryer,
diligently polishing the chrome.
‘You’re putting elbow grease into that,’ she said. ‘It wasn’t like that when Gary was alive.’
Craig grinned at her. ‘Well, now I’m the
owner...’
Maggie bit her lip thoughtfully. ‘Which
is what I want to talk to you about.
I’ve been thinking about what you said about selling this place and
becoming a partner in the wine bar. I’m
game if you are.’
Craig frowned. ‘Well...you’ve take me
unawares, like. I don’t know what to
say.’
‘I don’t want you to make a snap decision.
We won’t be opening until the late Autumn. Think about it.’
‘As a matter of fact, Maggs, I can give you my answer right now. I think I’ll stick to the chippie, thanks.’
Maggie looked put-out. ‘Oh!’
‘I think you’re right. I just don’t
think I’d fit in.’
Maggie sniffed disdainfully. ‘Some
people have no ambition.’
‘Yeah, well, if it’s a question of needing more money, I’d be happy to flog
this place for you.’
Maggie coloured. ‘What makes you think I’m short of money, Craig?’
‘Nothing. I just thought...’
Maggie turned and walked towards the door. ‘And I thought you’d be
pleased. Oh well, forget it.’
‘Don’t be like that, Maggs.’
‘Like what?’
He began polishing the chrome again. ‘It
doesn’t matter.’
Maggie slammed the door as she left.
Craig watched her crossing the road, thinking how well suited she and
Gary had been.
*
When Philip, the new administrative assistant in the claims department,
returned from the toilet, both Nicky and Savita could see he was really upset
about something, and his eyes were red, as if he’d been crying. And he’d been in the toilet a good fifteen
minutes. Prior to that, he’d been
summonsed to Malcolm’s office, and Savita suspected that this visit had
something to do with the his sudden depression.
As he past her desk, Savita asked him what was wrong.
He looked like a startled creature caught in the glare of headlights. ‘Nothing,’ he muttered, and hurried across
the office to his own desk.
Savita watched him. He was an effeminate
young man in his mid-twenties. When he
was standing, he drew himself up to his full height, with his chest thrust out,
as if he was trying to appear masculine.
But it was a parody of masculinity, and this over-compensation made him
appear even more effeminate, and it was not helped by the sibilance of his
speech. But everyone in the office
seemed to like him. He seemed a very
genuine person, interested in others, harmless and gentle. Savita made up her mind that she would get to
the bottom of what was going on.
*
As they sat drinking coffee outside one of the Pantiles’ cafés, Donald
suspected Ted had something to get off his chest. It was the way his friend’s eyes moved
around, unable to settle on any one object.
‘Something wrong, Ted?’ Donald asked after a hefty silence.
Ted glanced at his watch. ‘I haven’t got
long. I’ve got to get to work.’
‘But you said you wanted to see me. Said
you had something to discuss.’
‘I don’t know how to tell you this...’ Ted began, then focused his attention on
the bottom of his coffee cup and lapsed into silence.
Donald sighed. ‘Are you trying to tell
me it’s all over? Ended as soon as it’s
begun?’ He laughed humourlessly. ‘I
sound like a character from a Noel Coward play.’
‘That’s not what I’m saying. No.’
Donald frowned, waiting for him to continue.
Ted took a deep breath and spoke hurriedly.
‘I’m going to be a father.’
‘Donald’s mouth fell open. ‘I don’t
believe it.’
Ted smiled. ‘Now you sound like Victor Meldrew.’
For once Donald seemed at a loss for words.
‘But when...I mean how...’ He
laughed foolishly. ‘Well, of course I
know how. What I mean is, I didn’t think you and she who wears the
trousers did it any more.’
‘Well. once in a blue moon. I never
thought she’d become pregnant. Not at
her age.’
‘How old is she?’
‘Forty seven.’
Donald chuckled. ‘Well, well, well. So
you’re going to become a geriatric father.
If it’s a boy, you can teach him to play football. It’ll help you through your retirement.’
Almost involuntarily, Ted reached out and put a hand on Donald’s arm. ‘I know how you feel.’
Donald shook his head and smiled grimly.
‘I doubt it.’
‘It’s the last thing I wanted. To become
a father.’
‘Well, dear boy, that’s where you and I differ. I’d love to have children. Well don’t look so...Why should that surprise
you? I had an extremely happy upbringing
in a large family. But my sexuality
being what it is...’
Donald gestured helplessly. ‘I hope we
can still go to the theatre occasionally.’
There was a pause before Ted’s eyes met Donald’s. ‘Of course we can. Why can’t we just carry on as we are?’
‘Well, there is the small problem of Bamber’s return. But I’m sure we can manage something.’
Ted nodded. ‘I’d better go. Or I’ll be
late.’
Ted rose and squeezed Donald’s arm gently before walking away. Donald watched as his friend hurried along
the Pantiles. He laughed to himself and
muttered:
‘If someone had told me I’d have fallen for someone in a British Rail
uniform...’
IN EPISODE SIXTY-ONE
Maggie has trouble at the bank and Savita knows it’s time to do something
about Malcolm