Civvy Street

by Fiona Field

  ‘That’s a bummer.’

  ‘Tell me about it.’

  ‘What about Luke coming over here?’

  ‘It’s just... it’s just I don’t fancy him staying in the mess – it isn’t exactly private, is it? – and with leave cancelled I can’t book into a hotel off base.’

  ‘I see your point.’

  ‘Anyway, it’s not the end of the world except there always seems to be something that mucks up our plans.’

  Dawkins put their drinks on the bar along with the wine Seb had ordered.

  ‘Cheers,’ they said and clinked glasses.

  ‘And thanks for the drink and the chance for me to sound off.’

  ‘All part of the service.’ Seb grinned at her.

  ‘Hey, and what’s this I heard about the CO wanting to turn the mess into some sort of Ikea showroom?’ said Sam changing the subject.

  Seb shook his head and ran his hand through his hair. ‘It’s something and nothing,’ he said non-committally. ‘It’s an idea he’s got but it probably won’t come off.’ Not now the cat’s out of the bag, he thought.

  ‘It won’t if the livers-in have got anything to do with it. They’re livid at the thought of him chucking out the furniture.’

  ‘Hmm,’ said Seb. ‘I don’t think he was going to chuck.’

  ‘Whatever. It may be a bit shabby and the armchairs have seen better days but it’s comfortable. Who wants cutting-edge design when you can sink into an armchair with an arm wide enough to rest a cuppa or a drink on?’

  ‘No, well... Anyway, the CO’s plans may not come to anything.’

  ‘They better hadn’t,’ muttered Sam. She sipped her drink again and other officers began to appear in the bar, ready for a quick drink before going to their rooms to wash and brush up, catch up on emails and square away any personal admin before dinner at seven thirty. The noise level rose and Seb found himself explaining several times that the rumoured plans for the bar were nothing to do with him and he was not to blame for any of it. He thought about staying for a second pint when Sam offered to buy him a drink, but he felt a bit picked on by the residents and called it a day, shortly after six. Picking up his bottles of wine he set off back home, dodging the rain as best he could.

  ‘You’re early,’ said Maddy. She was sitting on the sofa, with the children, pink and scrubbed, beside her in their pyjamas as she turned the pages of a picture book about an elephant.

  Seb explained the reason. ‘And I got my ear bent by all of them.’

  ‘Can’t say I’m the least bit surprised.’ She turned her attention to Nathan. ‘Where’s the elephant in this picture, sweetie?’

  ‘Even Sam, who’s not exactly a fully paid up member of the Hertfordshire Regiment, felt the need to have a go at me.’

  Nathan found the animal and was rewarded with a kiss on top of his head.

  Maddy turned the page. ‘And how is Sam?’

  ‘Pis— hacked off. She was planning on seeing her man this weekend and with leave cancelled her plans have been scuppered.’

  ‘Can’t he come over here?’

  ‘I don’t think she fancies staying with him in the mess.’

  Maddy considered the situation. ‘I can see her point. What about the Old Bell?’

  ‘Because with leave cancelled she can’t go off base.’

  Maddy wrinkled her nose. ‘Duh, silly me.’

  Nathan began to wriggle and Maddy turned back to the book. It was later, when the children were tucked up in bed and she and Seb were eating their supper, that Maddy suggested that Sam could stay with them for the weekend.

  ‘You sure?’ said Seb. ‘It’ll be work for you.’

  ‘The spare room is made up and I expect they’ll be out a lot of the time – romantic dinners, that sort of thing.’

  ‘If you’re sure.’

  Maddy nodded. ‘Ring the mess and tell her – before she goes putting off her bloke.’

  Chapter 32

  Mike sat at his workstation in the council offices and earwigged some of the conversations going on between his colleagues. They were, he thought, all unutterably dull – and stupid. Really, was the high point of these people’s lives watching stupid videos about cats on YouTube, because that’s what it seemed to be. There were occasions when he despaired of the human race. Of course, the calibre of his colleagues in the army had been high; they’d almost all seen active service, had had to make life and death decisions under trying circumstances, many of them had seen tragedies and destruction on a scale this load of muppets wouldn’t be able to envisage, let alone cope with, and yet, almost to a man, they remained balanced individuals who didn’t moan, didn’t complain and who worked hard. And yet, this lot... Mike cast his eye around the office. There were the spotty youths who shirked jobs whenever they thought they could get away with it; the time-servers who had ‘always done it this way’; the thirty-something job-sharing mums who had one eye on the clock and the other on their mobile; and the sharp-suited thrusters with their buzz-words and Estuary English who strutted like starlings but never seemed to do a hand’s turn. Once again, Mike felt he had nothing in common with any of his colleagues. They didn’t share a work ethic, politics, interests... even their choice of daily papers differed.

  And tonight they wanted him to go out with them for a drink after work. A drink, a meal and some team bonding. The last two Mike dreaded; he dreaded the pointless chit-chat, he dreaded trying not to be rude to his vacuous workmates but he was excited about the prospect of a legitimate social occasion where he could have a couple of drinks. And the breath freshener he now kept in the glove compartment of the car should hide any evidence before he got home.

  However, a niggle worried him. So far he’d managed to keep his regular clandestine lunchtime pints under control, but he’d been drinking on his own with no one to suggest ‘one for the road’ or shout that they were buying the next round. Besides, with only an hour for lunch, a pint – or sometimes two – were all he could down in the time. But an evening ‘bonding with the team’, as that oily git Rob put it, was going to test his resolve. Of course, he’d have the car so he really shouldn’t have more than two drinks – or he wouldn’t be OK to drive, not legally – but when was the last time anyone out here in the sticks had seen a police patrol? He could probably risk having twice that amount and still get home with his licence intact, and that very tempting bit of knowledge was deeply unsettling.

  Mike rubbed his hand over his face and turned back to his filing tray. He pulled the next document towards him; a briefing paper on the proposed dredging of the Winterspring river – or rather the postponement of the proposed dredging. Mike began to read but as he did his mind kept wandering to that night’s meeting in the pub. Maybe he could pretend the car broke down and book into the Red Lion. If he rang Susie at around eight, maybe nine o’clock, and told her he couldn’t get home he could stay and make the most of the evening. Even considering the company he’d be keeping, it would be good to have a proper drink. And Susie needn’t be any the wiser. He’d get home the next morning, tell her the car was covered by the council’s AA policy and that they’d been able to send a team out first thing to fix it. Maybe that was a plan. Mike, his mind not on the job, skim-read the rest of the document, signed it off and chucked it into his out-tray and then rang the Red Lion.

  *

  ‘Can I have a word, please, Maddy?’

  Maddy turned round, her heart sinking fast. She recognised that stupid, trilly voice. She’d been out for a walk with Rose and had only dropped into the Spar for a couple of essentials before taking Rose home for her nap. She hoped Camilla’s ‘word’ was going to be a quick one – Maddy had every intention of putting her feet up for an hour before getting Nate from playgroup.

  She fixed on a smile. ‘Of course, what can I do for you?’

  Camilla didn’t return the smile. ‘Not here.’

  Maddy’s heart, already sinking, headed for her boots. ‘You’d better come back to mine then. Ro
se needs a nap.’ She knew she sounded graceless. Well, tough.

  ‘Fine.’

  Maddy walked around the shelves of the little store, picking up the things she needed before heading for the checkout. She stuffed the milk and bread in the tray under the buggy then wheeled it to the front door of the shop where Camilla was waiting for her. She wasn’t physically tapping her foot in impatience but she gave every impression that she was about to.

  Maddy led the way up the road to her quarter and opened the door.

  As Camilla stepped over the threshold she sniffed.

  Yeah, it’s a mess, thought Maddy defiantly. Like I care. Except, of course, deep down she did rather mind an outsider seeing her house at less than its best.

  She unbuckled Rose who slithered out onto the floor and toddled away into the sitting room.

  ‘Tea?’ she offered, hoping to God it was going to be refused.

  ‘This isn’t a social call.’

  Nope, Maddy had guessed that much. She knew exactly why Camilla wanted a word.

  ‘In which case, I hope you don’t mind if I put Rose to bed for her nap before we talk.’ Ignoring whatever answer Camilla had given her, Maddy followed Rose into her sitting room, picked up her daughter who squirmed in protest in her arms and took her up to her cot. She eked out the time as much as she dared, considering her responses to what Camilla was bound to say to her, before she came downstairs again to find Camilla installed on the sofa.

  ‘So,’ said Camilla. ‘What did you hope to achieve by telling Caro Edwards about Jack and my plans for the mess? I thought Jack made it plain to your husband that, while he was at liberty to discuss the matter with you, it wasn’t to go any further.’

  Maddy had had enough of Camilla. ‘It may have escaped your notice but the last time I paid any attention to things military, army wives didn’t seem to be required to sign the official secrets act.’

  Camilla snorted. ‘That’s got nothing to do with it. You were told something in confidence and you spread the information around like a common gossip.’

  A common gossip?! Now Maddy really saw red. ‘I think your idea that your neighbours are here to be at your beck and call is not only outdated but out of order. I haven’t signed the secrets act, I haven’t signed a confidentiality clause and I am pretty sure that in this country I am not subject to military law either. Consequently, when Caro asked me why you are looking to replace me on your committees – and I notice you haven’t bothered to inform me of this fact as common courtesy might dictate – I told her the truth. And why shouldn’t I?’ She stared at Camilla until she dropped her gaze.

  Maddy stood up. ‘So, if there’s nothing else...’

  Camilla’s eyes narrowed. ‘No, that’s it. But let me just tell you that I am very unhappy. Very.’

  ‘Fine.’ Maddy moved to the front door and held it open. ‘Good day.’

  Camilla swept out. As soon as the door was shut Maddy sank onto the chair by the hall table and put her head in her hands. What had she done?

  After a couple of minutes had passed her heart rate subsided to something resembling normal and Maddy picked up the phone and dialled Caro’s number.

  ‘Caro,’ she said as soon as it was answered. ‘Can you come round? I’ve just had the most appalling row with Camilla and I need a shoulder to cry on.’

  Caro was ringing the bell almost before Maddy had filled the kettle and plugged it in.

  ‘What? Why? What about?’ she squawked as Maddy opened the door.

  As they went back into the kitchen and Maddy made the tea she relayed the story to Caro.

  ‘The old cow. She had no right to call you a common gossip. The cheek.’ Caro’s voice was almost a bat-squeak with indignation. ‘You’re a very refined and well-brought-up gossip.’

  Maddy gave her a rueful grin before saying, ‘Maybe I overreacted.’

  ‘I think an overreaction would have involved an actual physical slap to wipe that self-satisfied smirk off her face. Anything less shows a degree of restraint, in my view.’

  Maddy grinned. ‘Maybe.’ She was so glad she had Caro for a mate; she could always be relied on to talk sense and be cheerful.

  ‘Have you told Seb?’

  ‘Not yet.’

  ‘Don’t you think you ought to before he gets hauled into Rayner’s office for an interview without coffee? I bet Camilla will have gone bleating to him straight away.’

  Maddy nodded. ‘You’re right.’ She picked up her mobile off the coffee table and tapped the screen a couple of times.

  ‘Seb... Oh. You’re on your way there now. Yes... Do you want the details? No, no, I wasn’t very rude. I just told her I hadn’t signed the official secrets act and I wasn’t at her beck and call... Yeah, sorry... Love you.’

  Maddy tapped the screen again.

  Caro looked at her with raised eyebrows. ‘Let me guess...?’

  ‘On his way to Jack’s office now.’

  ‘Dear God, but that woman is poison.’

  ‘Jack can’t sack him for something I’ve done, though, surely?’

  Caro shook her head vehemently. ‘No, of course he can’t.’ But Maddy could hear a hint of doubt in her friend’s voice.

  *

  Mike leaned against the table and regarded his co-workers. Maybe they weren’t so bad after all. He took another slurp of his pint. In fact, he might have got them wrong. For a start they’d been pretty darn generous when it came to getting him drinks. He’d bought a round at the start of the evening but he’d not had to go to the bar again, not once. No, they were all right. Definitely all right.

  One of the women – Jane? Janine – got up to leave. ‘Gotta go, folks. Hubby’ll be wondering where I am.’

  Hubby? Hubby! Mike revised his opinion of her in a heartbeat. The others were OK. In fact, some of the others could be his new best friends.

  Then he remembered. Fuck, what was the time? He had to ring Susie and tell her... tell her...? He concentrated on the problem; that’s right, tell her the car was kaput. That was what he had to do. He gazed blearily at his watch, willing his eyes to focus on the face. What had happened to his vision? It was all blurry. But with both hands pointing somewhere north of the nine it was gone eight o’clock, that was for sure, only he couldn’t quite work out whether it was ten to nine or quarter to ten. Not that it really mattered.

  He stood up to go outside and ring his wife and banged into the table. The drinks slopped but it wasn’t his fault, the bar staff shouldn’t have filled the glasses so full.

  ‘Sorry,’ he slurred.

  ‘You all right, Mike?’ asked Rob.

  ‘Jusht gonna ring the wife,’ he answered.

  ‘Do you want a lift home?’

  ‘Nah. Need to tell her the car’s fucked.’ Rob didn’t seem to understand what on earth Mike was going on about because he shook his head and shrugged, while a couple of his female colleagues frowned at his fruity language. ‘Shorry, ladies. Shouldn’t have said “fucked”.’

  Mike reeled out of the bar and into the drizzly night. He sheltered under the smokers’ refuge and got out his mobile. It took several attempts to get his pass code accepted by his phone. What was the matter with the stupid thing? Finally he was able to access his address book. He pressed the icon that read ‘home’.

  ‘Shusie. Shusie, listen to me. I gotta stay overnight in town. The car won’t go.’

  ‘I can come and get you,’ she replied. ‘No problem.’ There was a pause. ‘Have you been drinking?’

  ‘Me, drink, corsh not. What makes you think that?’ Mike leaned against a wall for support.

  ‘Because you sound pissed.’

  ‘Well, I’m not. It’s just the car’s fucked... buggered... The AA will come and sort it. They promished.’

  ‘When?’

  ‘Tomorrow.’

  ‘Then I’ll come and get you tonight.’

  ‘You can’t. The girlsh. You can’t... you can’t leave the girlsh.’

  ‘They’re in bed a
sleep. I can pop out for a short while.’

  ‘It’s all right. I’ve got a bed. I’ll stay over.’

  There was a pause. Then Susie said, ‘OK then. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  ‘Night, Shuse.’

  ‘Night, Mike.’

  Mike ended the call and staggered back into the pub.

  ‘Who’s for another drink?’ he said, waving his arms around expansively.

  The others, gathered around a big table, looked at each other.

  ‘Actually,’ said Rob, ‘we’re all thinking of calling it a day. Work again tomorrow and all that.’

  ‘Don’t be spoilsports,’ said Mike. ‘It’sh still early.’

  ‘Mike, it’s almost ten. Enough’s enough.’

  Fuck ’em, thought Mike. He could get another drink at the Red Lion. A nightcap before bed. The party broke up and Mike wove his way, bouncing off the occasional wall and sometimes off another pedestrian, as he stumbled his way along the town’s narrow pavements to his hotel. He grabbed his key from reception and then made his way to his room, stopping at the bar en route to grab a double Scotch to take up with him.

  After several attempts he managed to get his key in the lock and then blundered into his room, slopping some of his drink as he cannoned off the doorjamb. He put the remains of his drink down on the bedside table while he lay down – just for a minute – before he got undressed. Yeah, he’d have that last drink in just a minute...

  Chapter 33

  Susie had had a bad night. It wasn’t that she wasn’t used to Mike not sharing her bed. Was there an army wife on the planet who got to sleep every night in the year with their husband? No, it was worry that he’d had a skinful that caused her to toss and turn throughout the night. She’d drift off for a few minutes but then something in her subconscious would jerk her awake again. As a consequence she felt light-headed with exhaustion and knew that her mood was not going to be the best when the alarm finally told her the long night was over. As she rolled over in bed and pressed the off button, she wondered about ringing Mike. No, there wasn’t time and besides, if he had been drinking she didn’t think she had the energy for a row – not and get the girls off to school on time.