‘You’re wrong,’ she said when Carol returned.
‘I’m not, you know.’ Carol made an attempt at a brave smile. ‘Come on! I’ve got the boss’s Land Rover. I’ll give you a lift home.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course I am.’
Anna got to her feet.
‘Cheer up,’ Carol said. ‘I’m all right now. And you’re not really to blame.’
Chapter Thirty
Carol, in just a few words, had given Anna such a lot to ponder. Part of her was sorry for her friend’s troubled mood. Part of her didn’t believe what she had heard. Yet another part of her wanted it to be true, even though she knew it couldn’t be. What to think? What to do about Matthew?
As she walked back along the street to Lime House she was startled by the screech and squeal of a vehicle pulling up alongside her. She spun round to see Matthew’s old pickup, with its piles of fence posts and rolls of barbed wire in the back.
Matthew leapt from the cab, called a greeting and immediately dropped to the ground and disappeared beneath the truck. She could see his boots sticking out as he began to hammer away at something. She waited.
‘What was that all about?’ she asked when he emerged.
He grinned. ‘You wouldn’t believe it, would you?’
‘What?’
‘This old truck has been all over the hills today, and it waits till it’s travelling slowly along a flat, tarmac road to break a spring – badly, as well.’
She shook her head and smiled. ‘No, I would never believe that. Not in a million years. It must be fate.’
‘There you are, then. Fate.’
He pulled off his raggedy jacket and tossed it into the cab.
‘You should look after your clothes better,’ she said. ‘It’ll get all creased, treating it like that.’
‘So if I folded it carefully and laid it down gently, the holes and the oil stains would disappear, would they?’
‘Possibly.’
‘Yeah. Possibly. That’s what I think, as well.’ He laughed and shook his head. ‘When do you go back to Canada?’
‘I’m not.’
‘Not what – not going?’
She shook her head.
‘What about that bloke, Peggy’s cousin? I thought you were getting married?’
‘What about him? And what about Carol?’
‘Seriously?’
She nodded. ‘Seriously.’
The grin left his face. He weighed something up and then said, ‘There’s a few of us going over to Longwitton tomorrow night. It’s my Uncle Dick’s home-coming party. Do you want to come?’
‘It’s his what?’
‘He’s coming home from hospital. We thought we’d throw a little get-together for him.’
‘A coming-home-from-hospital party? That sounds fun.’
‘Yeah.’ The grin was back. ‘Doesn’t it? Better than a staying-in-hospital party anyway. But it will be all right. It’s in Gordon’s shop,’ he added, as if that clinched it.
‘Oh? The Village Shop, eh? That’s different.’
‘So?’
‘Thank you, Matthew.’ She smiled, and tried hard not let anything else show. ‘I’d love to come.’
‘Pick you up at six. Not in this, though.’
‘That’s a pity.’
Matthew grinned. ‘We’ve got a mini-bus.’
‘I can’t wait.’
Still smiling, she watched as he roared away in his lopsided truck, which was now down in one corner because of the broken spring. Like old times, she thought happily. The same old Matthew. She gave a little shiver.
Chapter Thirty-One
‘I’m sorry about you and Don,’ Mum said, ‘but I have to say I’m glad you’ve changed your mind about emigrating.’
Anna smiled. ‘So am I. It wasn’t right for me. None of it.’
‘If that was what you really did want, I wouldn’t have stood in your way or tried to make you change your mind.’
‘I know you wouldn’t.’ Anna gave her a hug. ‘But thank you, anyway.’
‘I’m still glad you’re not going, though.’
Anna laughed now. ‘Drop it, Mum! It’s over. Don’t worry anymore.’
‘Oh, but I do. I can’t help it. It’s what mothers do. They worry all the time about their children.
‘Anyway, where are you going tonight, if you don’t mind me asking?’
‘I don’t mind at all. Don’t be silly. A few of us are going over to Longwitton with Matthew Greig. It’s a little party they’ve organised for his uncle. He’s just come out of hospital.’
‘Oh? Is that Dick Cummings?’
‘Yes, I think so.’
‘Nice man. Wish him well for me.’
‘I will.’ She considered for a moment. ‘You all know each other, don’t you? Matthew’s Aunt Dorothy knew straight away who you and Dad were, as soon as I said my name.’
‘Dorothy Charlton, that will be. Before she was married, I mean. Yes, we all know each other. You’re right. It’s a small world, round here. We all went to school together.’
Anna thought about that as she got ready to go out. It was a small world. Mum was right. And that didn’t make it a bad thing. Not at all. Quite the opposite, in fact, so far as she was concerned. She didn’t want to live in a vast city, where everybody was from somewhere else. This was exactly what she wanted, a small world where people knew and cared for each other. Just like this, in fact. It wouldn’t suit people like Don, perhaps, but it suited her perfectly.
She dashed out when she heard the mini-bus arrive. Matthew was driving.
‘Room for one more!’ he called. ‘Find a seat, if you can.’
She was surprised how many people were aboard. She knew them all, of course, and laughed and joked as people greeted her.
‘Take no notice of Matthew!’ Peggy called. ‘I’ve kept you a seat.’
Anna sat beside her and glanced around. ‘No Carol?’
‘Afraid not, no. She didn’t want to come.’
Anna wasn’t sure how she felt about that. It might have done Carol good. On the other hand, she was relieved. Besides, an out-of-sorts Carol wouldn’t have helped cheer Uncle Dick up very much.
‘She’s all right,’ Peggy said quietly. ‘Don’t worry about her. She doesn’t really blame you. She’ll come round.’
Anna nodded. ‘I hope so,’ she said.
*
The Village Shop in Longwitton was ablaze with lights and decorations. Even as she got out of the bus, Anna could see a throng of people through the glass door. Music hit her as she followed Matthew and Peggy inside.
Gordon met them. He was wearing what looked like a chef’s hat and holding a glass of red wine. ‘Welcome!’ he called to all of them.
Anna grinned and said, ‘Does the hat mean you’re doing the cooking, Gordon?’
‘Only some of it. Hello, Anna!’
She pressed on to be met by Kay. ‘Nice to see you again, Anna. But didn’t Matthew tell me you’d gone to Canada?’
‘Only for a holiday. I’m back now.’
‘Oh, that’s good. He did miss you, you know.’
‘Who did?’
‘Matthew, of course. Who do you think? One of your other admirers?’
Anna laughed and allowed Kay to lead her away to meet Uncle Dick, who was a very large man with a very red face and a happy smile.
‘I’m very pleased to meet you, pet,’ he said, taking Anna’s hand for a moment.
‘I’m pleased to meet you, too. Last time I was here everybody was worried about you. It’s good to see you looking so well.’
‘I’m as well as can be expected,’ he said gravely. ‘No better, no worse.’
‘All things considered?’
‘Exactly.’ He winked and added, ‘When you came last time, were they trying to work out where I kept my money?’
Anna giggled. She was saved from having to respond by the arrival of Matthew.
‘We couldn’t find it, Uncle D
ick,’ Matthew said. ‘Not a penny.’
‘And do you know why that is?’
‘You haven’t got any?’
‘That’s right, son. I’ve spent it all. Why not? They tell me you can’t take it with you.’
Matthew looked glum for a moment. Then he said. ‘How’s the plumbing? Did they fix it?’
Anna’s surprised giggle soon became open laughter.
Uncle Dick said, ‘They did. They fixed my ticker, my knee and one or two other things, as well. They reckon I’m good for another ninety thousand miles now.
‘Anyway, enough of this modern music,’ he said, looking round. ‘It’s my party,’ he added with a grin. ‘They should be playing music I like.’
‘Of course they should,’ Anna agreed. ‘What do you like?’
He didn’t hear her. He had turned to follow Matthew.
Anna smiled at Penny, who had appeared at her side.
‘Help yourself to food, Anna. There’s plenty on the table over there. Where are those two off to?’
‘I’m not sure. But Uncle Dick wasn’t happy with the music.’
Penny pulled a face.
‘So what does he like?’
‘Elvis,’ Penny said with disgust. ‘Come on!’
They made their way towards the food table as the music changed and Elvis Presley began complaining about somebody who was nothing but a hound dog – whatever that was, Anna thought.
Later, Kay took her aside to tell her she was expecting a baby.
‘Oh, how wonderful! Congratulations. So the party is for you and Gordon, as well as for Uncle Dick?’
‘Not really. We didn’t want to spoil his night, but... Well, yes it is, in a way,’ Kay admitted happily.
‘I’m so pleased for you,’ Anna told her.
Later still, she danced with Matthew. She was enjoying the evening so much, and even more so when the music slowed and he held her close.
‘Matthew Greig!’ she whispered dreamily. ‘How did this happen?’
‘So you’re not emigrating?’ he said in her ear.
‘No.’
‘You’re not getting married either?’
She shook her head. ‘Not as far as I know,’ she said.
‘Good.’
‘Good?’
He smiled and let go of her as the music stopped.
Later still, dancing a waltz to another of Uncle Dick’s favourites, Matthew sang along with the music.’ It was always you from the start.
Anna smiled. ‘Are you singing to me, Matthew Greig?’ she whispered.
‘I am,’ he said. ‘It was always you from the start.’
‘Stop it!’ she said, pushing him away playfully. ‘You know you don’t mean it.’
‘Oh, but I do. Didn’t you know?’ he added, looking quite serious now. ‘Marry me, Anna?’
‘Yes,’ she said without a moment’s hesitation. ‘Of course I will.’
Then he kissed her.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The next morning Anna couldn’t remember half of what had happened the night before. Had she imagined it? Some of it, at least? Probably. But she felt good about it, whatever had happened.
More than that. She wanted to see Matthew again, as soon as possible. She wanted to see him in the cold light of day. She needed to know if she had imagined it or if they really had said those things to each other last night.
He was waiting for her. When she left the house Matthew was there, sitting on the wall next to the gate, swinging his legs, whistling. Her heart fluttered.
‘Have you got no work to go to?’
‘None that can’t wait,’ he said.
He stood up, smiling, as she approached.
‘Matthew Greig,’ she said softly. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I came to see you.’
‘Oh?’
She smiled as he took her in his arms. She looked up to be kissed.
‘I wanted to be sure,’ he said afterwards. ‘About what we said last night. I wanted to know if you’d changed your mind.’
‘I’m sure,’ she said, hugging him. ‘I haven’t told anyone yet, but I’m very sure. You?’
‘I’ve always loved you, Anna. Always. ‘It was always you from the start’, he crooned. ‘But you never looked twice at me.’
‘Oh, Matthew! That’s not true.’ She giggled. ‘I’m shy. That’s all. I never thought you were interested in me. I never thought you could be.’
He hugged her. ‘Walk with me?’ he suggested.
‘Wait till I get my cardigan.’
She trotted down the path, opened the door and grabbed the cardigan she hadn’t thought she would need.
Mum appeared in the kitchen doorway. ‘Going out?’
‘I am, yes. See you in a bit.’
‘Is that Matthew Greig you were talking to?’
‘No. It was the milkman.’
‘The milkman? We don’t have...’
‘‘Bye, Mum!’
She slammed the door and sped up the path.
‘What are you grinning at?’ Matthew asked.
‘Mum being nosey. Where are we going?’
He said nothing. He took her hand and they set off.
‘I wonder if Uncle Dick enjoyed his party last night as much as we did?’ she said.
‘Oh, he did. He was well away.’
‘Quite a homecoming. Your aunty was enjoying herself, too.’
‘She was. Gordon and Kay did well for them both.’
‘They had something to celebrate, too. Did they tell you?’
Matthew nodded and smiled. ‘It was a happy night for us all.’
Anna smiled, too. She couldn’t have agreed more.
They walked on until they reached the old building Matthew had been working on. They paused there for a moment and gazed at it.
‘My goodness, Matthew! I wouldn’t have believed how nice it could be again. You’ve put in an awful lot of work.’
‘Aye.’ Matthew nodded. ‘Do you want to see inside?’
‘You’ve been working on the inside, as well?’
‘Just a bit. New floors and ceilings. Re-plastered the walls. New wiring. Kitchen. Bathroom.’
‘Everything, really!’
‘Just about,’ he admitted.
She was impressed. ‘There must be an awful lot of people waiting for their new fences, if you’ve been doing all this.’
He laughed and led the way to the front door.
‘I like this shop window, as well,’ Anna said, pausing to study it. ‘Is somebody interested in the shop?’
‘They are, yes. I think I’ve found someone wanting to take it on.’
She felt a moment of disappointment. Oh, well. Served her right for not asking about it earlier.
She followed Matthew inside and began a tour of the interior of the building. There was nothing in it yet, but it was immaculate. Everything was new, just as Matthew had said. It smelled new, too. Walls and floors, and everything else. Three bedrooms and a couple of other rooms, all on the first floor.
‘Downstairs is all for the shop,’ he said. ‘Storage, space for the freezers, and so on. Up here is the living space.’
‘It’s lovely.’ She shivered. Then she turned, looked around and shook her head with awe. ‘Wonderful.’
Matthew walked over to the window of the room they were in and gazed down the length of the unkempt garden. ‘Plenty of work out there still,’ he murmured.
‘Whoever’s taking the shop on is very lucky. Who is it?’ she asked.
He turned to her and smiled. ‘You, I hope.’
‘What?’ She stared at him. ‘Me, did you say?’
He nodded. ‘I hope so.’
It took her a moment. ‘Me?’ she repeated.
‘You,’ he said. Then he sang the line from Elvis they had heard so much the previous night, and even once that morning already. ‘It was always you from the start.’
She gave a little squeal and threw herself at him. Laughing, he he
ld her tight.
‘All this,’ Anna said dreamily. ‘Why didn’t you say anything?’
‘I’m not really sure. At first I thought maybe you wouldn’t be interested. Then I just wanted to get it done before I showed you.’
‘To surprise me?’
He nodded. ‘That, and before I asked you.’
‘Oh, Matthew!’
She buried her face in his chest. Then they began to dance. They moved slowly around the big empty room, their shadows dancing with them across the bare walls. They danced to the music in their heads, and with the love in their hearts.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The next month was busy. Anna and Matthew worked like proverbial Trojans, fitting out the shop and making all the other arrangements needed before the door could be opened to customers. There were suppliers to be contacted, credit lines arranged, samples to inspect, and visits to be made. For Matthew, there were nails to be hammered, screws to be screwed, and fittings to be sought and bought. It was desperate, frantic work, but immensely exciting, too.
Anna felt as if she had been re-born. She had come alive. She poured all her energy, and all her knowledge and experience, into creating the business that was to serve everyone in Callerton, as well as themselves.
Somehow she and Matthew also found time for themselves, and their future together. That evening at Uncle Dick’s party had, it seemed, opened the floodgates. There was never any question now but that their future was to be together.
‘I’m so happy, Matthew,’ Anna said one evening as they walked along by the river. ‘I’ve never been happier – or more exhausted!’
Matthew laughed. ‘Me, too,’ he said. ‘I tell you what, though. Shop work is killing me. I’ll be glad to get back into the hills when you’re up and running.’
That would be a while yet, she thought, but as soon as the shop fitting was done Matthew would be able to attend to his main business. He had plenty of fences to build, more than ever it seemed.
‘What will we call the shop?’ Matthew asked.
Anna had already thought that one through. ‘Wooden Heart,’ she said without hesitation.
‘You can’t call it that!’
‘We can call it what we like,’ Anna said airily. ‘And Gordon’s already collared "Village Shop". We need something different.’
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