Christmas in Peppercorn Street

by Anna Jacobs

  He envied Claire her loving relationship with Gabby. He didn’t think Dee had any idea how much he loved her, and had no way of making her understand that.

  Half an hour later Claire looked at the clock. ‘I think I’ll follow Gabby up to bed. I’m tired now. I can be ready to leave at whatever time suits you tomorrow, Luke.’

  He risked another plea. ‘How about staying on for a few more days? You’re still not fully recovered and I think Dee’s enjoying having some female company. I’ve not seen her so chatty since she came to live with me. She usually vanishes to fiddle with her computer straight after tea.’

  ‘She’s been very good with Gabby, playing all those old-fashioned board games.’

  ‘She’s surprised me, I must admit. I didn’t know she was so good with little kids. So … how about you two staying a bit longer?’

  Claire shook her head. ‘No. Thanks for the offer, but I can’t impose on you. I have to stand on my own feet or – or it won’t feel right. I didn’t always do that when I was married and after we broke up I vowed I’d never act as a doormat again.’

  ‘I can’t imagine you being a doormat.’

  ‘I was sometimes, especially when our quarrelling was likely to upset Gabby. Martin used that against me very skilfully.’

  ‘A few quiet days without worry would help you, though. That arm is still painful, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, but I live by brainwork not physical labour, so I don’t need to do anything that puts it at risk and … Luke, I really need to get back to work.’

  Her voice was so determined, he gave up trying to persuade her. ‘Then there’s one small thing I think I can do to help you. I’ve got an old bolt lying around in my garage and I can fit it to the inside of your front door.’

  She opened her mouth to refuse, then shut it again. ‘Very well. Thank you. That would be helpful, I must admit. You haven’t said what time you want to leave.’

  ‘About ten o’clock. It doesn’t matter if it’s later.’

  ‘Ten it is. And Luke …’

  He waited.

  ‘I’m extremely grateful for all you’ve done for us, truly I am.’

  ‘Will you at least promise me that if you’re in trouble, you’ll come to me for help?’

  ‘Um, thank you for that offer. Yes, I’ll bear it in mind.’ She stood up. ‘I’ll just let Helly out before I go up to bed.’

  He doubted Claire would turn to him, whatever happened. She was one stubborn woman.

  And very attractive when her green eyes sparkled with determination. There was something going on between the two of them, however much she tried to ignore it. You could usually tell when someone was attracted to you.

  He wished … oh, he wished for lots of things. Maybe he should write a letter to Santa about them. Only about three weeks to go to Christmas now.

  Would Dee agree to do any Christmassy things? He hoped so.

  In the morning, he heard Claire get up early and have a shower. By the time Dee left for school, his guest was ready to go home with all but one bag standing ready near the front door. She’d carried them down one-handed. The boxes containing her computer were waiting for him to carry out because they needed two hands. At least she hadn’t tried to deal with them.

  When she came into the kitchen, he said, ‘You seem ready. I can drive you back straight after breakfast, if you like.’

  ‘Yes, I’m all packed, so we might as well.’

  He made sure his guests had a good breakfast, but refused to let her help clear up. ‘I can do that later. You’ve enough on your plate.’ Then he got out the box of food he’d prepared. ‘You brought some food with you, so it’s only right you take some back.’

  She opened her mouth to protest, then said, ‘Thank you. If you’ll put the computer stuff in the car, I just have to get Helly.’

  ‘I’ll carry those boxes out, then go and bring her in for you while you check upstairs.’

  But when he went out into the garden, he couldn’t find the dog. His repairs to the fence between his house and Winifred’s were still intact, so he’d have to check the rest of the perimeter.

  Claire came to the door. ‘Gabby won’t be a minute. Oh. Where’s Helly? Is something wrong?’

  ‘I think Madame Houdini has escaped again. There must be a weak spot in the fence somewhere else.’

  ‘I shall have to tie her up very carefully when we get back.’ She came out to join him. ‘You do the back fence and I’ll check the other side.’

  When Gabby came to the rear door, Claire called to her to wait in the kitchen and fetch Luke if anyone came to the front door.

  ‘Aha! Here’s the new escape hatch!’ he called from the back fence. ‘I think I’ll have to replace the whole fence. The wood looks OK but it’s completely rotten in places.’

  She came across to look at the hole Helly must have made and peer over the fence. ‘No sign of her. Do you know the people whose land this is?’

  ‘I’ve been introduced over the garden fence by Winifred next door and we wave when we see one another, but I’ve not had much to do with them, been too busy settling in and dealing with Dee. The house is called Dennings.’

  He tugged a nearby piece of the fence half-heartedly and stumbled backwards when it came away in his hands. ‘Look at that.’ He tossed it aside. ‘At least we now have an escape hatch that’s big enough for humans to get through. Shall we go a-hunting?’

  She stepped through the gap and he followed her into the grounds of Dennings. There was no sign of Helly nearby, though.

  ‘I think we’d better visit the big house and introduce ourselves before we go any further,’ he suggested. ‘We can’t just tramp all over their land and they may have seen her.’

  ‘I’ll tell Gabby to come and stand by the back fence where we can see her in case Helly comes back on her own.’

  How careful she was about her daughter!

  That done, they set off down the gentle slope towards the pretty little manor house.

  Angus Denning stretched and yawned, then stood up from his computer. Done! He needed to move his body more often. He’d let himself get stiff again.

  Nell was looking out of the kitchen window. ‘Hey! That dog’s come back.’ He went across, putting an arm round her shoulders as he too stared out. ‘It’s not doing any damage. Maybe it’ll go home of its own accord.’

  ‘Angus Denning, we are not risking it digging holes in my newly planted garden. There are bulbs and seeds in that area, lying peacefully waiting for the spring. Grab a jacket. We’re going out to catch it.’

  ‘Slave driver.’ He picked up a few shreds of the ham she’d been chopping up. ‘It might come to us more easily with a bribe.’

  Outside the dog stared at them for a moment then continued to sniff its way across the garden. Angus walked forward, shaking the ham, and it suddenly whipped round as if it had smelt it.

  Crouching, he held out a piece of the meat, but even though it licked its lips, it didn’t take the ham from him.

  Then someone called, ‘Helly! Come here at once!’ and two people came hurrying across the garden to join them.

  The dog moved across to the newcomers, wagging its tail vigorously.

  Angus stood up, popping the ham into his own mouth and saying a bit indistinctly, ‘Luke, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes. This is my friend Claire. Angus – Claire – Nell.’

  The woman gave a quick nod. ‘I’m afraid the dog is mine. I do hope she hasn’t done any damage.’

  ‘No. She seems to be enjoying the new smells. She wouldn’t take any ham from me, though.’

  ‘She’s been trained not to take food from strangers.’ She grabbed the dog’s collar as she came close, then winced.

  Luke took it from her. ‘Let me do that. You don’t want to do any more damage to your shoulder.’

  She turned back to Angus. ‘I’m so sorry for the invasion. We were just going to leave when we realised she’d escaped again.’

  ‘No harm done
. Nice to meet you.’

  He watched them walk away then they went back inside. ‘Luke’s friend doesn’t look well and I think she’s got some sort of shoulder injury. She’s got a big bruise on her forehead, too.’

  ‘I don’t know Luke yet, but I’d say he’s attracted to her from the way he looked at her. She was avoiding looking at him.’ Nell chuckled. ‘Which probably means she’s trying not to be attracted.’

  He put his arm round his wife. ‘Well, now that’s settled and I’ve repelled the fearsome invader, perhaps you’ll find me something to eat.’

  ‘Job finished?’

  ‘First stage is sorted out but there’s more to do. Only I got up really early and I think I forgot to eat breakfast.’

  ‘You did. There was a bowl of soggy cereal near the kettle.’

  ‘Ah. Perhaps you’ll feed me something more substantial, kind lady.’

  ‘Only if you sit down and eat it here. If I bring it into the office, you’ll forget to finish it.’

  ‘Such a bully you are.’ He pulled her close, dropped a quick kiss on her nose and then sat down at the table, arms folded. ‘Your word is my command.’

  Luke fastened Helly’s lead to her collar and they walked back towards the house.

  ‘This fence is in nearly as shocking a state as the one at my place,’ she said.

  ‘I’ve got some pieces of wood. Maybe I can improve on your side fence a little.’

  She stopped walking for a moment. ‘Why are you being so kind to me? What do you want?’

  ‘To get to know you better, become friends. I’ve been quite open about that. Do I have to have an ulterior motive as well?’

  She flushed. ‘I’m just – not used to altruistic kindness.’

  ‘Call it an early start on the Christmas spirit, if you prefer. Or … the usual way a single man behaves when he meets an attractive woman.’

  ‘Oh.’ She had grown out of the habit of expecting kindness from anyone and she couldn’t remember the last time someone had called her attractive. She could feel that she was still blushing, so stepped hastily over the remains of the fence panel and hurried into the house. ‘Gabby? Where have you got to? I said to wait by the fence.’

  Gabby came out of the kitchen, peering over the bannisters to look down to the basement. ‘I had to use the bathroom.’

  ‘Well, get ready to go now.’

  The child scowled. ‘You said we didn’t have to leave till ten o’clock.’

  ‘Since we’re ready we might as well go and let Mr Morgan get on with his day.’

  ‘He said I could call him Luke.’

  ‘Luke, then. Go and do a final check. Remember, if you leave anything behind—’

  ‘—you lose it.’

  ‘Exactly.’

  It took all Claire’s courage to hold her aching head up and walk out to the car.

  She admitted to herself that she didn’t want to leave either.

  And that she found him very attractive.

  Luke decided to use his old transit van to take them back because it was bigger than his car and he could not only fit their possessions in it more easily, but also the planks to repair the fence with and some tools. Fortunately, there was a bench with a seat belt at one side of the back where Gabby could sit and hold Helly’s lead.

  It took just over half an hour to drive to Bartons End and only Gabby did any chatting, commenting on places they passed or people she saw through the side windows, or else asking questions.

  When Luke stopped at some traffic lights, he stole a quick glance at Claire without her noticing. She looked pale, but grim and determined, and he’d tried all the arguments he could think of to persuade her to stay, but failed to change her mind. Pity.

  When they reached the village, Gabby said, ‘The other children will be at school. Am I going there this afternoon, Mum?’

  ‘No. You can go again on Monday. We’ll tell them you’ve not been well. I’ll write you a note and—’

  Luke turned the corner that led to their house and jammed on his brakes. ‘What the hell—?’

  Before he could stop her, Claire had flung open the car door and jumped out, racing towards her house from the side, so he stopped the engine and said, ‘Keep Helly in the car, Gabby.’ He closed his door and that on the passenger side and left his car where it was, rushing across to where police tape was stretched across the entrance to the drive of her house.

  On the drive sat the blackened remains of a burnt-out car.

  Claire had come to a halt and was standing staring at it, one hand pressed to her mouth. Then her shoulders started shaking and she burst into tears, so what could he do but put his arms round her?

  He could have wept for her. What a viciously nasty thing to do. Was it vandals or the ex?

  She didn’t allow herself to weep for long and when she pulled away, Luke let her go and held out his handkerchief.

  ‘Here. Use this.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  As she began to mop her eyes, there was the sound of heavy footsteps crunching on gravel. He swung round to see a large man in a dirty overall and well-worn boots hurrying towards them from the nearby industrial units.

  She quickly wiped away the last of her tears.

  ‘You’re the tenant here, aren’t you?’ the stranger said. ‘I’ve seen you going in and out of the house.’

  ‘Yes. I’m Claire.’

  ‘I’m Bill Turner. Electrician. Shame about your car. The world seems to be full of vandals these days. What do they get out of destroying things, that’s what I want to know?’

  ‘When did it happen?’

  ‘It must have been after everyone went home for the day, not last night but the night before. The woman in the end unit was working late and saw it burning so called the police. She didn’t see who set it alight, though, didn’t see or hear a car even. Well, it’s pretty deserted round here after dark, isn’t it?’

  Claire sniffed and wiped her eyes, and seemed to be struggling for words, so Luke asked the obvious question for her. ‘Did the police have any idea who might have done this? I mean, sometimes they know about local gangs.’

  ‘I don’t think so. They came round yesterday morning to ask if anyone knew where you were. Only, no one did. They also asked if we’d seen anyone loitering in the past few days. Only, again no one had. Pity.’

  ‘Yes. Great pity.’

  ‘They left these with everyone and said to tell you to get in touch with them if you came back.’ He held out a business card. ‘They want to know if you’ve got anything on your security camera.’

  Claire took it from him. ‘I’ll, um, go and see the police after I’ve checked the inside of the house.’

  ‘The police didn’t go inside, said they didn’t want to break down the door, but they looked in through all the windows and said the house didn’t seem to have been trashed except for a brick hurled through the kitchen window. You should probably contact them before you go in, just in case there’s any evidence to be found.’

  Someone yelled across from the units that Bill was wanted on the phone and he left them to it, shouting, ‘Good luck!’ as he hurried away.

  ‘That means someone did this the night you took me away.’ She shuddered.

  ‘We were lucky, eh? Got you away in time.’ Luke studied her house in disgust. It was even more ramshackle when you saw it by daylight.

  ‘I don’t understand why the police said that. I don’t have a security camera.’

  As he studied the front of the house, the sun reflected off something above the door. If hadn’t been for the sun catching it at just the right angle, he’d not have noticed it. He stepped to one side and then back again, studying it, then pointed. ‘That looks like one to me.’

  She looked at where he was pointing.

  ‘It may be. But I didn’t put the camera there and it definitely wasn’t there when I left to pick up Gabby from school. I’d have noticed.’

  She clapped one hand to her mouth and looked t
o be holding back tears. ‘It has to be Martin who did this. He’s used concealed cameras before to keep watch on what I was doing, so now I keep my eyes open and look round every day. It wasn’t there that afternoon, I’d stake my life on that.’

  ‘Oh, hell. He must have wanted to see your reaction to the burnt car. He has to be totally crazy.’

  A small whimper of distress escaped her control. ‘That means he’s found us. What am I going to do? How can I ever get away from him permanently? I’ve been so careful not to leave a trail this time. Even my car is in a friend’s name.’

  ‘We’ll work something out, but first, I’m going to get my small ladder out of the van and take that camera down. Maybe he’s left fingerprints on it.’

  ‘Ha! Not Martin.’

  ‘Well, anyway, I’ll make sure the camera’s not showing anything about you from now on.’

  When he got to his van, he turned to study the angles the camera would probably be able to cover. Good. Unless he was much mistaken, his van was out of its range, so if it had been broadcasting any images, her ex wouldn’t be able to trace him by the registration or the logo on the side of his vehicle. He’d used the van in his former business and not bothered to get it repainted yet because he mostly used his car.

  He made sure the child and dog were still all right, telling Gabby it’d be better if she stayed where she was. She was sitting hunched up, and her face seemed too old and careworn for an eight-year-old child. This pitiful excuse for a father obviously didn’t care what stress he put them both under.

  ‘What are we going to do without a car, Luke? We’re too far from the shops to walk,’ said Gabby.

  ‘We’ll work that out later. For the moment you’re leaving this place and coming back to stay with me again. I’ve got plenty of room.’ That was a no-brainer and whatever it took, he’d persuade Claire to do it, if only as an interim measure.

  Gabby brightened a little. ‘Oh, good. I feel safe at your house.’

  ‘Don’t let that dog out. We’ll come back in a few minutes.’