It was sunny outside, she was surprised to find. That was going to be a problem with working in the office. There wasn't much natural light found its way through the grimy little window. But you were so busy, you didn't really notice. She would soon get used to it, she decided. And if she found time, she could give the window a polish.
Overall, she had quite enjoyed the morning. It had been good to be stretched in the way you were in a new job. And most people had been respectful and appreciative. On the whole, it seemed a good place to work.
She walked round the industrial estate, noticing businesses and activities she hadn't realised went on in the town before. It was an interesting area. Wholesale food depots. Tractor repair places. "Country Life" clothing outlets. Even a fishing-rod factory. All sorts of things.
She saw the man who came round with the van selling sandwiches. He seemed to be doing a good trade. She saw him in a couple of places, and each time there was a queue of people waiting to be served. That started her thinking about the former café next-door to India's shop, and wondering if there might be an opportunity there. Perhaps it could be re-opened? She had never worked in catering, but it couldn't be that difficult. Plenty of people did.
It was something to think about. As she had said to India, a café there might increase the trade for the shop. The two businesses together could complement each other. She and India could even be a partnership? Separate businesses, or even one business with two owners? Why not? It was certainly worth considering. When her month here was over she was still going to need a job.
As she re-entered Charltons' yard she bumped into the foreman. Greg, she'd been told he was called. He was a big, quiet man who seemed to take his responsibilities very seriously. At least, she hadn't seen a smile on his face yet, even though he had been into the office several times to ask her to order parts.
'How are you getting on?' he asked.
'Fine, thank you. But it's really busy, isn't it?'
'Always,' he said. 'It's never been any different.'
'Have you worked here long?'
'Since I left school. Ted keeps people on if they do the job right. If they're no good, or mess him about, he soon sends them on their way.'
She nodded and wondered if this was leading anywhere, or if he was just being friendly. Perhaps it was a stern warning?
'You needn't worry, though,' he added. 'You're doing all right.'
'I'm glad you think so,' she said with a smile.
They parted. She was still smiling. Greg had meant well, presumably, but the advice was a bit over the top for a one-month temporary job while the usual incumbent was away in Las Vegas. Men! They did take themselves so seriously at times.
Chapter Nineteen
'How's the new job?' Linda asked.
Sarah paused at the top of the stairs and sagged against the wall. 'I'm shattered!'
Linda laughed. 'You're out of practice, that's all.'
'You're right. But it's good. Very busy, but interesting.'
'It's very brave of you, working in a garage. I couldn't do that. I know nothing about cars.'
'Neither do I, but there's plenty of people there who do.'
'Any good-looking mechanics?'
'One or two. They're a bit grimy when I see them, but I'm sure they'll scrub up nicely.'
Linda laughed. 'You won't find a nicer one than your John. I'm so pleased for you, Sarah. I can see you're so happy, and I know John's very happy, too.'
'Is he?'
Linda winked. 'From what he tells me, and what he doesn't, I think he's making plans. He's going to surprise you one of the days. Oops! Excuse me.' Linda put her hand across her mouth and added, 'I don't think I should have said that.'
*
Sarah sat in the kitchen for a little while, elbows on the table, head in her hands. She stared at the wall opposite, and wondered why the clock had stopped. The battery, probably. She would have to buy a new one, or a pack of new ones. The spares would come in handy. You always needed batteries.
Presently, she roused herself, got up and made a pot of tea. She wasn't hungry but she made herself a salad sandwich to go with it, and then watched it grow stale, untried.
She sighed. This was no good. The conversation with Linda had upset her, frightened her, in a way, but it had also served as a warning. What, really, was she going to do about John?
Linda had made her realise she needed to step back and think about where she was going, and what she was doing. How could she have been so blind – and stupid? John was such fun, and so happy-go-lucky. It hadn't occurred to her that he might take things so seriously. It just hadn't.
Take a deep breath, she advised herself. Think about it. John. He was lovely. He really was. Kind, bright, intelligent, fun to be with. What was wrong with taking it seriously? Maybe he was the one, the man she had been not looking for exactly but hoping secretly she would one day find.
But he wasn't. She knew that.
As soon as she asked herself the question she knew it wasn't like that for her. John was fun to be with, and a good friend, but he wasn't the man with whom she wanted to spend her life.
Then who was?
Maybe nobody, she thought miserably. Perhaps that man didn't exist. All she knew was that she wanted someone more like… well, like Robert, someone who made her shiver whenever he came near. Stop! She wasn't going to think about Robert. He had his life, a good life, and she wasn't part of it.
She smiled ruefully and got to her feet. There was no point in this, going round and round in circles. She had to get out. She would drive herself mad otherwise. She had to hope things would sort themselves out in time, and that time would answer all her questions and uncertainties. Meanwhile, perhaps she could avoid seeing quite so much of John.
*
And, then, the worst thing happened. She encountered him in the hallway. There he was, full of light and cheer, as usual. And, also as usual, he wanted her to go somewhere with him. She shook her head, tried to be careful with what she said, and couldn't manage it. All her thoughts and feelings came out in a rush, as she tried to spare his feelings and yet tell him they had no future together. It was impossible. He stood and stared, and she had never felt more miserable.
'Maybe you'll change your mind?' he said.
She shook her head. 'I'm sorry, John. But I don't think so. When I came here I had just got out of a long-term relationship that didn't work for me. I don't want to be in another one. I just thought we were good friends, not ….'
'And so we are!' he said brightly. 'Good friends. Come on! Let's go down the pub.'
'Not tonight, John. Thank you. I'm worn out. This new job ….' she added vaguely.
'Yes, of course. That's why you're a bit down in the dumps. Another night, then?'
'Perhaps.' She tried to smile, and added, 'Maybe Linda would like to go out tonight?'
'Yes,' he said. 'That's an idea. I'll see what she says.'
She hoped that was the end of it. It was a pity, but she really didn't want to be in another relationship going nowhere. That wasn't why she had uprooted herself and come to Alnwick. From now on, she would just concentrate on the job. That was more than enough for her.
Chapter Twenty
Afterwards Sarah went round to India's shop. She had to have a change of scene, and there were bound to be last-minute things to be done there still. But there weren't many, she discovered. India was pretty much on top of it.
Sarah shook her head with admiration. 'You're ready!' she declared.
'Just about,' India agreed with a smile.
'Is there anything at all left for me to do?'
'Well …. You could make a pot of tea, if you really want to help?'
'Oh, yes! I could. I'm good at that after the last couple of days.'
'How's it going?'
'The job?' Sara laughed. 'Very well, actually. It's interesting and busy. The day just flies by.'
'I bet. Do you know a lot about cars?'
'I do
now. And by the time Peg comes back I'll be able to go on Mastermind, my special subject cars. Do you know what a drive-train is, by the way, or a transmission? A few more days, and…'
'You'll have oil all over your hands!'
'It could happen.'
'Perhaps you should start your own garage?'
'Only if you'll help.'
'Would I have to get my hands covered in oil, as well?' India shuddered at the thought.
'No, perhaps it wouldn't be a good idea.' Sarah grimaced. 'You might break a fingernail, as well. I'd better let you off. Anyway, you have enough to do here.'
India's big day was so close now they could touch it.
'What a pity I can't be here for your opening, India. I'm so sorry about that.'
'I'll manage. Harry will come to give me a hand. After that, he says, I'm on my own. He's still looking for a job, by the way.'
'No luck, eh?'
India shook her head. 'No, unfortunately.'
'They're short-handed at Charltons, in the workshop. The foreman was saying they need one or two extra men. I don't suppose he'd be interested in that, would he?'
'I don't know. I can ask him. To be honest, Sarah, I haven't got time or energy to spend on Harry's situation. The shop has just consumed me lately. Maybe it will be different after I open, but right now I'm so apprehensive.'
'It will be fine,' Sarah assured her. 'It will be lovely. You'll see.'
'I hope you're right. If you're not, I'm going to sue you for false promises.'
They got back to work, sorting out more stuff for shelves that were already groaning.
'Maybe we should stop?' Sarah said. 'Less is more, and all that.'
'Do you think we're putting too much on display?'
'Well …. We want people to be able to see things, don't we?'
India laughed. 'I take the point. Perhaps we should stop. Now, what else is there to do?'
The doorbell rang.
'Who's that?' India wondered aloud. The door opened. 'Oh hello, Robert! Have you come to see how we're doing?'
Robert stepped inside and peered round. 'My!' he said. 'Isn't this wonderful?' Hello, Sarah! How are you?'
'She's exhausted,' India said. 'She doesn't look it, but she must be. She's been up since first light.'
'Not quite!' Sarah chuckled. 'Hello, Robert. Have you got Holly and Jack with you?'
'Not this time. Someone is looking after them for an hour or two. Well, I must say, India. I'm impressed with your shop. It looks wonderful.'
'Thank you, Robert. We're nearly finished here. I just have a couple of bits of paper work to do.'
'Should I start …?' Sarah began.
'No, dear.' India shook her head. 'You should leave me to it. If you don't mind, that would be best. You just get away home. I can manage.'
'Well, if you're sure?'
'Take her away, Robert! Please.'
'Come on!' Robert said, laughing. 'We're both in the way. Let's go. Tell Harry, I'll be round to see him one of these nights, will you?'
'If I remember. Good-night!'
It seemed to Sarah that India wanted rid of her. In fact, she thought with a smile, she seemed to want rid of them both.
'We're not wanted,' she said to Robert.
'Evidently,' he said with a smile.
She felt better then than she had all evening
'Have you eaten?' Robert asked.
'I had something earlier, before I came to help India.'
'Something?'
'I had to have something!'
'I was planning on visiting a little Italian bistro-type place just along here. Will you join me?'
'I've eaten already,' she said hesitantly.
'A few olives and a glass of wine, perhaps? A pizza?'
She looked at him.
'Please,' he said quietly. 'I would really appreciate it.'
Her heart skipped a beat. Why not? she thought. Why not, indeed!
She smiled her assent. 'That would be lovely, Robert. I must warn you, though. It's been a long day. If you see me falling asleep, just prop my eyes open with matchsticks.'
'You don't think my sparkling wit could do the job?'
'That's an option,' she agreed, laughing.
*
It was a small restaurant in a place that used to be a shop, and before that the front room of a house. Not, in other words, custom built. But it was pleasantly furnished and decorated, and Pavarotti was in full voice somewhere in the background.
Sarah was surprised to find Robert had booked a table.
'Is it so popular that you have to do that?' she asked. 'Even during the week?'
Robert nodded. 'Tell her, Luigi.'
The waiter laughed. 'Always,' he said, 'it is necessary. No man would want his wife or his girlfriend to be disappointed, just because he had failed to make a booking.'
Despite that, the restaurant was not crowded on this occasion, and the atmosphere was very relaxed.
'Nice,' Sarah said with approval, looking around. 'Do you know, this is the first time I've been here.'
'Is it? Well, let's hope you don't regret it. I don't think you will, though. I come here fairly often. Usually I bring Holly and Jack. Luigi makes a big fuss of them.'
'And they feel very grown up?'
'Very.' He grinned.
'So why not tonight?'
He hesitated, looked down at his plate and then back up at her. 'To be honest,' he said, 'and I might as well be honest, I wanted to see and talk to you without them present.'
'Me?' she said, feeling faint.
He shrugged. 'I like you,' he said simply. 'Very much. I don't get out a lot these days, and I thought how nice it would be, just for once, to have the company of a beautiful and interesting woman without having to break off every two minutes to wipe a runny nose or nip a quarrel in the bud.'
He looked away and then back at her, shrugged. 'I know it was presumptuous of me to book a restaurant, but ….'
'Stop, Robert!' she said gently. 'Don't explain any further. It was a nice thing to do. I'm very pleased.'
He looked relieved.
She said, 'Shall we order?'
'How's the job going?'
'Well. It's busy, but I like that.'
'You do?'
'Yes. Today was my second day there, but my first without Peg to hold my hand. So it was sink or swim.'
Robert smiled. 'Everything new to you?'
'Everything! Now I'm exhausted, but I enjoyed it. I really did. Perhaps it's just that I'm not used to doing nothing all day.
'The Charltons are a funny old couple. I was appalled at first, some of the things they say to each other. But I soon realised they're a good team. They've built that business up from nothing. It's taken them many years but they've done it, and they're very proud of their achievement. It's their life's work.'
'See if they've got a job for me.'
She smiled. 'You'd have to be prepared to get your hands dirty. It's not like working at a desk in County Hall, you know.'
'Maybe I could look after new cars? Let you handle the old and dirty ones.'
'I don't think they see many new cars at Charltons. But if you want to keep an old one on the road, that's the place to go. You should see the state of some of the cars and the pick-ups the farmers bring in! One way or another, though, Ted and the lads seem to get them fixed and back on the road.'
'It's a rare talent, fixing things,' Robert reflected. 'People used to do it all the time. Now we just throw stuff away, and buy new.'
Their wine arrived, followed closely by their food.
'This is lovely, Robert,' Sarah said. 'Thank you so much for inviting me.'
'I'm happy you could come. It makes a nice change for me.'
They smiled happily at one another. Then Robert added, 'The children will be jealous that I've had you all to myself this evening.'
Unthinking, she placed a hand on his and said, 'Don't tell them, then.'
'Our secret,' he said, g
ently squeezing her hand.
Sarah's head began to whirl. Afterwards, she realised she had no idea what she had eaten that evening. All she could recall was that had spent it with Robert, and it had been wonderful. Not exciting or uproarious, like evenings with someone like John could be, but just … wonderful. Perfect. Exactly how she would like her evenings to be.
*
Walking home afterwards, Sarah slipped her arm into Robert's, and it seemed the most natural thing in the world. She loved being with him, having him beside her. She knew, too, that he was just as happy to be with her. Strange, but you always knew when things like that were true. Even before the first kiss.
'It's been a lovely evening, Robert.'
'Hasn't it just? What luck I found you at India's.'
She smiled and then said, 'Was it really? Was it luck?'
He chuckled. 'Whatever do you mean?'
'Oh, I don't know. Perhaps it was fate, something like that?'
He shook his head and stopped to turn her round to face him. 'No,' he said. 'I have a confession to make.'
'Whatever could that be?'
'I hoped you would be there.'
'Oh, really?'
She smiled. Even when he leaned down to kiss her the smile never left her eyes.
*
When they reached her place, Sarah said, 'Coming up?'
He hesitated.
'Come and see where I live. Have a coffee.'
'I will. Thank you.' He glanced at his watch and added, 'I can't be late, though. I promised the child-minder I wouldn't be.'
'You'll just have to apologise,' she said with a smile.
Chapter Twenty-One
There were big problems at the garage.
'What's wrong, Ted?'
' 'Morning, Sarah. We're three men down, three of my best men, and we have a couple of big jobs to finish. I'll have to pick up the tools myself today.
'A phone call from Peg, as well. She says she'll have to stop longer. The son's taken ill. So the wedding's been put back.'
'Oh, dear. What's wrong with him?'
'He's suffering from depression, Peg says. Maybe he should get himself back here, and forget about showgirls.'
Sarah smiled to herself. Ted was probably right. She didn't think engines had that sort of effect on young men.
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