Читать книгу Coming Home to Ottercombe Bay: The laugh out loud romantic comedy of the year - Bella Osborne, Bella Osborne - Страница 10

Back in the pub, Max was just finishing his Diet Coke and still chuckling about Daisy when Jason came in wearing tailored shorts and a neatly ironed polo shirt.

‘Perfect timing, it’s your round,’ said Max meeting his friend at the bar.

Jason glanced skywards. ‘I doubt it but what are you having?’

‘A pint please.’ Monty was already on the case without the order having to be relayed. ‘You won’t believe who just bought me a drink,’ said Max raising one of his eyebrows.

‘I like quizzes,’ said Jason. ‘How many questions can I ask?’

Max rolled his eyes. ‘Bloody hell, Jason, just give me some names.’

‘Okay, okay. Is it someone famous?’

‘No, and it’s not twenty questions, just guess already.’

‘Someone who looks like the photofit of the bloke who stole the gnome from the garden centre?’ Jason was a police officer who was keen to work his way up the ranks.

Max was shaking his head in despair. ‘No, and that was just someone who left it on the bottom of the trolley and forgot to pay.’

‘This is what happens. Common crimes start to become acceptable and before you know it you have a crime wave on your hands. It’s like insurance fraud. Years ago nobody would have dreamed of putting in a false claim but nowadays practically everyone falsely claims for a new camera and sunglasses on their holiday insurance.’

‘You included.’ Max gave him a knowing glance.

Jason looked outraged. ‘Good God, how many times have we had this conversation? I left my Ray Bans on the bus in Tenby and nobody handed them in.’

‘Yeah, that’s what they all say. But you, an officer of the law. Tut, tut, tut,’ said Max loving every minute of winding up his friend. ‘One last guess, I’m getting bored now.’

Jason’s expression changed to one of serious concentration. ‘Right. I’m going to say … my mother?’

‘No. Daisy Wickens.’ Max leaned back on the wooden chair and put his pint to his lips all the while watching Jason’s reaction. Jason’s face lit up and he searched the pub, his eyes darting about before they came back to Max.

‘Really, where is she now?’

‘Dunno, she got the hump and left.’

Jason frowned. ‘Did you upset her?’

Max took a long slow sip from his pint and then placed it back on the table.

‘Not intentionally,’ said Max, but the corner of his mouth twitched.

‘Bloody hell, Max, do you get some sort of kick out of upsetting people?’

‘No, she’s always been a stroppy mare. She used to swan about for a couple of weeks each year like she owned the place. One minute she’d be hanging around with us, the next she’d ignore us. I can’t cope with that.’ He knew too well what sort of person she was. She was fickle and never lasted anywhere more than five minutes and those sorts of people were always going to hurt you eventually. He’d had it happen too many times – first his mother, then his father and more recently a now ex-girlfriend. If someone wasn’t likely to be a permanent feature in his life then he’d learnt, for his own self-preservation, to keep them at a distance.

‘I always liked her,’ said Jason his gaze drifting to his shandy. ‘She went through a lot with her mum and everything. She was only a kid.’

‘We all have stuff in our past that could mess us up, Jay. It’s no excuse.’

‘Agreed. But she was nice to me, you know, she’d show an interest. Didn’t mock like some.’ He regarded Max.

‘What? I’ve never mocked you,’ said Max. Jason tilted his head to one side. ‘Okay, maybe once or twice but it’s only banter.’

Jason sipped his pint. ‘Shame I missed her though. I expect she’s off on her travels again soon.’

‘Yeah, I guess but Reg has left her the old railway station if she stays.’ He sat back in his seat and watched Jason’s reaction. Jason sat up straight. ‘I thought that might interest you.’

‘Like I said I always liked her. It would be lovely if she moved back here permanently.’

Max grinned. ‘I meant I thought the old railway station might interest you.’

Jason went a bit pink round the edges. ‘Oh, well, yes. You know I’m an enthusiast, that goes without saying.’

‘She’s got a box of old train stuff, heavy old metal signs, that sort of thing. If you run you’ll catch her up. I doubt she’s got far lugging that lot and a full toolbox.’

Jason looked concerned. ‘You left her to carry it all?’

‘Like I said she’s a stroppy mare.’

Jason took a couple of large glugs of his half pint of shandy and stood up. ‘You amaze me sometimes, Max.’ He shook his head as he left.

‘Two stroppy mares in one night,’ he muttered to himself. He finished the last of Jason’s drink and pulled a face. ‘How does he drink this crap?’

Daisy was grateful for having the lamppost to rest the boxes against but she knew she had to press on. She’d calmed down now; the boxes were unbelievably heavy and she was regretting getting cross with Max. She could have done with a hand lugging them back to Aunt Coral’s. She wished she’d arranged for Tamsyn’s dad to come back and collect his toolbox – hindsight was a wonderfully annoying thing.

She took a deep breath and lifted up the load again and set off with a purposeful stride; the sooner she got back the sooner her arms would stop aching. She heard a car coming and expected it to zoom past, but she could tell it was slowing alongside her. All I need now is some pervy kerb crawler or the police, she thought. Daisy had to admit she probably looked an odd sight, and more than a little suspicious. She wasn’t sure whether to keep going or stand her ground. She heard the car stop, a door slam and then footsteps behind her.

She turned around to see a tall man approaching her, with the streetlamp behind him it was difficult to see. She got ready to lob the toolbox at him if necessary.

‘Excuse me, can I help you with those?’ he asked, which wasn’t at all what she was expecting.

‘Er, no, thanks,’ she said, wondering what his game was.

‘It’s no problem. Come on, I’ll give you a lift.’ Daisy hesitated. ‘It’s okay. I might not be in uniform but I’m a police officer.’

‘My dad told me not to get in cars with strange men,’ she said and he laughed.

His laughter evaporated. ‘But you know me, we went to school together. Played together in the holidays when you came home, Daisy.’

Something about the way he said her name rang a bell. She tried to get a good look at his face but it was dark. An embarrassing silence followed.

Daisy quickly scanned her memory for boys from primary school. It was all a haze of oversized uniforms, bad haircuts and playing tig. Something Tamsyn had said glued the puzzle pieces together in her mind.

‘Jason,’ she almost shouted it as recognition struck. ‘Of course. I’m sorry. You’ve got a lot taller since I last saw you.’ Jason had been one of those boys who was picked on by the others. If she remembered correctly, Max had looked out for him when they were younger.

Jason looked happy with her response as he took the heavy boxes from her with annoyingly little effort but then he hadn’t been carrying them for half a mile. ‘It’s lovely to see you again, Daisy. I hear you’re staying for a while.’

‘Bloody hell, the grapevine here spreads faster than a Kim Kardashian selfie.’ This was one of the major downsides of a close-knit community. ‘And no, I’m afraid I’m not staying.’ She followed him to the car and waited whilst he put the boxes in the boot.

‘Oh,’ Jason looked downhearted. The short trip was conducted in relative silence, just the odd clink coming from the toolbox in the boot. Jason pulled up outside the cottage and got out. Daisy got the feeling she was upsetting a lot of people tonight.

She met him at the boot of the car. ‘I’ll take the toolbox back to Tamsyn’s dad.’

‘I’ll take this one inside then,’ he said, picking up the railway box and having a sneaky peek inside.

‘Feel free to have a look through if you’re interested. And thanks for the lift, I do appreciate it, Jason.’ She hauled out the toolbox and headed next door.

After saying her thank-yous and politely refusing their offer to come inside three times Daisy finally escaped Tamsyn’s parents. She could see Jason and Aunt Coral were standing just inside the porch chatting. Daisy tugged on the door, it swung open and Bugsy made a break for freedom. She tried to make a grab for his collar but what he lacked in aerodynamics he made up for in speed as he dodged her like a professional rugby player and disappeared into the darkness.

‘Bugsy!’ shouted Aunt Coral as she lurched past Jason. Daisy wasn’t sure which way Aunt Coral was going to go and in the split second she had to make a decision. She made the right one so they didn’t collide but Daisy managed to leave her foot jutting out slightly. Aunt Coral was moving at speed, she caught her toe on Daisy’s foot and fell spectacularly through the open doorway, landing with a thud.

‘Are you all right?’ asked Daisy, crouching down at her side. Jason joined her and together they helped her up.

‘Yes, I’m fine,’ she said brushing herself down. ‘Where did he go?’ she asked, looking about frantically. Aunt Coral stepped forward and seemed to stumble. ‘Ow, my ankle!’

Jason put an arm around her and guided her back inside. ‘Let’s get you sat down and we can have a look at your ankle. I’m trained in first aid.’

‘But we need to catch Bugsy,’ said Aunt Coral hobbling inside.

Jason looked at Daisy and there was a slight pause before she realised she needed to do something. ‘Yes, of course. I’ll go look for him.’

‘Thanks, love,’ called back Aunt Coral.

It was late and it was dark. Not just average town or city dark, no this was middle of nowhere, no light pollution, Ottercombe Bay dark. Only the main streets had lighting, so in Trow Lane it was blacker than the inside of the old railway building.

Daisy wasn’t exactly sure what she was meant to do. Standing there in the dark on her own she felt a complete idiot. ‘Bugsy,’ she called half-heartedly. It was unlikely he was going to come back because she’d called him, they hadn’t exactly warmed to each other. She stopped and listened. She could hear something. It could’ve been the sound of small paws on gravel or perhaps a bird in the hedge. Daisy wandered off into the night but it was pretty pointless looking for a small black dog in almost total darkness.

She decided to walk to the end of the lane and back again to at least show willing. Every few steps she called his name feeling like a total idiot. He hardly knew her so he wasn’t likely to come running. When she reached the end of the lane she took a moment to look out over the few rows of houses to the sea beyond. The moon was casting its jewels on the surface of the water and painting a halo over the cottages. Daisy had to admit it was a sight to catch you unawares. She watched the jewels sparkle for a while until a faint bark drew her attention away. When she got back to the cottage there was still no sign of the dog.

Inside Jason had a first-aid box out, presumably from the car, and had done a good job of bandaging up Aunt Coral’s ankle, which was now resting on a cushion on the coffee table.

‘Did you find him?’ asked Aunt Coral, looking hopefully at Daisy.

‘Sorry, it’s hard to see out there.’ Daisy was just about to flop onto the sofa when Aunt Coral replied.

‘Take the torch from the kitchen then. He likes to go up onto the headland so take care.’

‘The headland? That’s gotta be over a mile away.’

Aunt Coral frowned. ‘It’s his usual walk. He’s probably just gone off on the route he’s used to.’

‘In which case he should come back then,’ said Daisy, hoping this was her get-out clause, but Aunt Coral’s pleading look said different as did Jason’s slight headshake of disapproval.

‘Right, I’ll walk up to the headland and look for him. I’ll stop for chips on the way back, do you want anything?’ She hadn’t eaten so at least it wouldn’t be a completely wasted trip.

‘No thanks, I’ll be getting off,’ said Jason. ‘Doctors tomorrow if that’s still swollen, Coral, okay?’

‘Yes, thank you, Jason.’

‘Bye then,’ said Jason to Daisy, somewhat frostily.

‘Thanks again for the lift,’ she said and she went to find the torch.

An hour and a half later she was walking back eating her chips having not seen any sign of the dog. She had had a proper look for him and even called his name numerous times up on the headland but it had been met with silence. As she munched her way back along the lane she thought she heard something. She stopped and for a second the sound continued and then stopped. She ate another chip, walked two steps forward and then stopped and the sound repeated and then halted moments after she did. There was someone behind her. She spun round quickly with the torch but there was no one there – until she shone the torch on the ground. A couple of feet behind her was Bugsy. He blinked when the torchlight shone in his eyes.

‘Great, how long have you been following me?’

Bugsy ignored her, stuck his squat nose in the air and strutted up to her, sat down and looked hopefully at the last chip. Using the chip as bait Daisy coaxed him back to the cottage, threw it in the porch and he thankfully followed it, devouring it quickly while Daisy pulled the door closed and heaved a huge sigh of relief.

‘I found him,’ she called feeling quite pleased with herself. That was one point she could chalk up to herself in the Bugsy versus Daisy battle and it felt good.