by Penny Kane
Jackie finished her cup of coffee. “There is one thing that you can do.”
“What?”
“Get an injunction out on him. Ban him from calling or coming over at all.”
Polly shook her head. Was that what it had come to?
Jackie shrugged, “Perhaps just the threat of an injunction will be enough to shut Steve up.”
* * * *
In the end, it seemed Jackie was right. The threat was enough to silence Steve, and Polly was able to relax and pack her things. The move, however, didn’t go as quickly or as smoothly as Max and Helen wanted. Her solicitor told her it would most likely take between three and four months.
It didn’t matter to Polly, really. The move was progressing and she had the much-needed time to sort herself out. She even visited the elderly couple who owned the bungalow in their warden-controlled flat. They asked to meet her, and considering she wanted to knock a little off the asking price because of the work she needed to do, she thought it was polite to do so.
They were a lovely couple and delighted that she wasn’t going to rip out all the old features in the house, but merely update them. She told them she loved the retro-50s look and the old woman’s eyes lit up. Polly then sat through the remainder of the visit being told how the house looked when new. She was fascinated and wondered if the house and its tale should feature in her new book, or in a future one.
* * * *
The night before the move, Brendan stayed over. However, Polly didn’t sleep much. She kept waking up and mentally going over the lists in her head. She was unsure she’d done everything necessary.
At six a.m., she got up. There was no point in just lying in bed and staring at the ceiling until breakfast time. She quickly washed and dressed. She packed away her wash things and stripped the bed down. “Right. That’s my room done. Just Bren’s to do, and put the bits from the fridge into a box later.” She sighed as she slipped out of her room and went down to the kitchen. Breakfast was cereals and coffee. She had a box of honey and nut flakes that they could use up. She left enough for Brendan and then took her breakfast into the lounge, sat on a box, and looked out into the garden as she ate. There was a sadness in the air. She always hated good-byes, and it was unsettling to leave one’s home. She tried to look on the positive side. She had a new home to go to, and once the bank transfer was completed, it would be ninety percent hers. That thought made her smile. Even if she didn’t write another book, she estimated that the royalties from Happily Ever After? would have the house paid for in five years. However, she’d almost finished the first draft of her second novel and she desperately hoped it would be as successful as her debut novel.
Chapter Eighteen
As Polly pulled up outside her new home, she felt a thrill of excitement run through her. The lorry was already parked in the driveway and Brendan had parked up and was making his way to her.
“Well, here we are, Mum. Home sweet home,” he declared as he held the door open for you. “Come on, I’m dying to take a look inside.”
Polly took a deep breath and walked up the driveway. She smiled at the removal men and stepped onto the doorstep.
Upon opening the door, the first thing they noticed was the waft of stale air that hit them in the face.
“Whoa. We need to get the windows open, Mum.”
Polly nodded and let him pass through the house, opening the windows slightly. The place certainly needed airing. She walked down the hallway past the bedrooms and into the lounge-diner that ran from front to back. She smiled as she looked around the room. I am going to love every minute of doing this place up.
* * * *
The place wasn’t dirty, exactly, more dusty from not being lived in. But Polly felt much better once the bathroom shined and the kitchen cupboards and worktops were bleached.
She peeled off her Marigolds and chucked them in the bin. “Right, now what?” She looked around the kitchen for something to do as Brendan walked in behind her.
“Ah, there’s nothing quite like the smell of musty air blended with bleach, is there?”
“Cheeky!” She laughed. She was happy that they both felt relaxed and Brendan didn’t disapprove of the place.
“I’ve nabbed the middle-sized room. Is that ok?”
She nodded. “That leaves the little room for my study.” She walked out of the kitchen with Brendan in tow and entered the small room. He’d already put the furniture in place for her. “Oh, my goodness!” She spun around and hugged him. “You set this up so quickly!”
“Well, you’re an author, Mum. You need your space ASAP.” He grinned. “Oh, and I’ve put the beds together.”
* * * *
It took them the rest of the day to get the house into some sort of order. Brendan was such a help. Polly wished she had half the energy he had. He plumbed the washing machine in and picked on her that she’d have to line dry it all, as there wasn’t room for a dryer. He moved all the boxes into the correct rooms, as it was obvious that removal men could not read and boxes were scattered here and there all over the house. Then, once he’d done all that, he moved the larger pieces of furniture where Polly wanted them and helped her open the boxes and begin the daunting task of unpacking.
* * * *
“What do you think?” Hours later, Brendan spread his arms wide and looked very pleased with himself.
Polly looked around the room. Her two bookcases were filled with her books, and the DVD cabinet was in the dining room end, serving as a nice lamp stand in that corner. A smile spread across her face as she inspected.
“I put the books more or less how you had them before. And look!” He pointed to where he’d set up the table and chairs that had been in the kitchen at the old place.
“I have a tablecloth in the airing cupboard box.” Polly scurried out of the room and when she returned, she had a green tablecloth in her hands, which matched the curtains. She placed it over the table and stood back to admire it. “Perfect.”
“And…” Brendan turned her to face the TV cabinet in the corner. “…I’ve even set up all the TV stuff, too.”
Polly clapped her hands together. “Yes!”
“I’m such a good boy.” Brendan laughed at himself.
“Yes, you are.” She ruffled his hair.
He gave her his puppy dog eyes. “Then feed me, Mummy.”
Laughing, she headed back to the kitchen. “Your wish is my command!”
Chapter Nineteen
It was gone nine o’clock in the morning when Polly finally awoke. Her muscles ached and she wished she’d taken a hot bath before bed. The house was quiet and the sound of Brendan gently snoring filtered through the wall.
She walked barefoot around the bungalow. The place felt strange, but not uncomfortably so. She knew she’d be happy there. She made coffee and then settled down in front of her laptop to see if the muse would like her to write anything today. She did, and it was an hour later when Brendan finally got up and her writing solitude ended.
They spent the day sorting out the rest of the house. It was a fine day and Polly got on with the washing that needed to be done. She wanted fresh sheets on the bed, not the ones from the old house that had been packed, unpacked, and then put on the bed.
It was just after lunchtime when the doorbell rang. Polly looked at Brendan and frowned.
“I’ll get it,” he volunteered.
Brendan opened the door, and standing on the doorstep was an elderly man in brown cords and a cardigan. His hair was dishevelled and he looked as though he hadn’t shaved in days.
“Hello, my name’s Arthur Davis. I live next door.”
“Oh!” Polly exclaimed. “Come on in.”
“Thank you,” the old man replied and stepped inside.
Polly led the way into the living room and nodded to Brendan to pop the kettle on while their guest seated himself.
She waited until Brendan returned a few seconds later and introduced them both.
“I saw you
arrive yesterday, but thought you’d be too busy to drop in on.”
“Oh, that’s all right. We’d have made time for you, Mr Davis.” She smiled. “Do you live alone next door?”
Polly wished she hadn’t asked. The old man’s eyes welled with tears. “Ever since my Maisie died, yes.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
He wiped his eyes with his handkerchief. “Thank you.”
Brendan made them all tea and they chatted about the house and neighbourhood. Mr Davis had lived in his place since it was built and had more than a few stories to tell. Polly felt he was lonely. She was more than willing to let him chat away; to her, his tales were fascinating.
Arthur drained his second cup of tea and stood up to leave. “I ought to let you good folks get on with all that unpacking. It’s such hard work, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is, but I’ve got Bren here to help.”
“Yes, there’s a good boy.” Arthur patted Brendan on the arm and Polly resisted the urge to say ahh. “Anyway, what I came to say was, welcome to the neighbourhood and I’m sorry about my dog, Rex. I forget I leave him out sometimes. Then I turn my hearing aid off and…you know?” He shrugged.
Polly smiled at him. She was pleased that he was merely absentminded and not a nuisance neighbour.
Arthur made his way to the door and they said their good-byes. “You just let me know if you need anything, you hear?” He called as he shuffled down the driveway in his slippers.
Polly and Brendan stood at the doorway waving and smiling at the old man until he was safely back on his own property.
“Aw, could he be any sweeter?”
Brendan laughed. “He certainly is a lovely old bloke, yes.”
“At least I know for future reference that if the dog barks, then Mr Davis has forgotten to wear his hearing aid.”
* * * *
That evening brought them another guest. Jackie arrived with a box full of things. “It’s only a picnic barbecue, but it’s better than nothing. I’ve brought a bottle of fizz and loads of junk to eat, too!” she declared as she set the box down in the kitchen.
“So, we’re having a barbie tonight, then?” Brendan asked innocently.
Jackie pulled a face at him. “No, I brought all this stuff so your mum can cook us a roast chicken, smart arse!”
Polly and Jackie busied themselves in the kitchen while Brendan tried to light the barbecue. They could see through the window that it wasn’t as easy as the instructions described.
Together they moved the dining table and chairs out onto the patio, and laid the table. Polly dug out a couple of bottles of Steve’s wine that she’d stashed and soon the wine and conversation were flowing.
Brendan took control of the cooking and Polly sat with Jackie in the evening sun. As the aroma of the cooking steaks and kebabs reached Polly’s nose, her stomach rumbled. Laughing in embarrassment, she grabbed a handful of crisps and told Jackie about her latest novel.
“Is it nearly finished?” Jackie asked.
Brendan smiled. “Crack that whip, taskmaster!”
Jackie threw a crisp at him, which missed its target by miles.
“See, proof that women can’t throw.” He pointed to the crisp on the ground.
“No more wine for Mr Smart Alec over there.” Jackie topped up Polly’s glass. “Is it me or does he get cheekier every time I see him?”
Brendan grinned at her.
“Yes,” Polly replied. “But it is a compliment, Jackie.”
She raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
“Brendan is only cheeky with people he likes. He’s having fun with you,” Polly explained. “If he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t even talk to you. In fact, he probably wouldn’t even be joining us for dinner.”
“So I should be flattered, hmm?” She didn’t look convinced and Polly laughed at her. “Come on, back to the subject; is the first draft finished yet?”
“I’ve just moved house. Can I have a few days off?”
Jackie stared at her. “Do I have to answer that?”
“All right! It’s nearly done. I want to run through it again and I have an idea for making the ending better,” Polly explained as she passed a plate to Brendan to put the meat on.
“Good. We have to strike while the iron is hot.”
“It’s still hot?”
Jackie started on the salad. “Hmm.” She nodded. “Yes, I heard from a couple of radio stations who want you to do readings, and there are bookshops all over the north island that want you for signings.”
“That’s great news, Mum.” Brendan sat at the table and served them the now-cooked steak and kebabs.
“Oh, this smells so good,” Polly said as she tucked in. “I am glad things are going well. I just want a little time to myself. Things have been crazy since I got back from the book tour.”
Jackie laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Polly asked.
“You don’t still think your book is coming true, do you?”
Polly splayed her hands. “Well, you have to admit it’s…”
“Uncanny!” Brendan and Jackie chorused.
“Ha, ha, ha. You are both so funny.” Polly shook her head.
They ate on in silence for a moment, still smiling.
“Did it teach you anything though, Mum?” Brendan asked her with a mouthful of steak.
“Hmm…good question.”
“Teach me what?” Polly asked, unsure of what he referred to.
“If the book really came true – which you know I don’t believe – what did it teach you? What did you learn from the experience?”
Polly stared at her son while thinking on his question. “Well, if I am totally honest, there was a lot of stuff I wrote in the first that I won’t include in the new book. Stuff that I never will include in another novel.”
“Like what?” Jackie asked, her interest piqued.
"Well, from now on nothing I write will be tacky, cheesy, or sleazy! There are far too many of those books out there.”
Jackie and Brendan laughed.
“And now I've lived the book, so I should know.” Polly shook her head in disbelief. “I think it's just trash. I don't want to write trash anymore!" She laughed. “I never, ever want to write like that again. I am so happy for the success of that book…”
“Here, here!” Jackie raised her glass.
“…but I won’t write that way again. It’s time to grow up. You’ll see what I mean in the next one.”
“Not gone all boring have you, Mum?”
“No, Bren.” She laughed. “It’s just more real this time round.”
Jackie raised her glass again. “Here’s to keeping it real.”
Brendan and Polly raised their glasses and echoed the toast.
The meal continued in the same relaxed, fun way. They drank their way through two bottles of white wine and had just opened Jackie’s bottle of fizz when Brendan told them to relax in the lounge while he cleared away.
“He’s a good kid,” Jackie sighed when he was out of earshot.
“Yes, he is. I’m so glad I have him. I don’t know what I’d have done lately without him.”
The pair of them turned and entered the house. “You know, Polly…” Jackie slipped her arm around Polly’s shoulders. “…I’m not saying that your book did become real or anything. But just in case, how about you stick to writing something less dramatic next time?”
Polly looked at her. “Like what?”
“Oh, I dunno. Something happy, like children’s books or something with puppies in it.”
Polly laughed at her and shook her head. They sat down and Polly was aware that Jackie was watching her and awaiting a reply. Polly took her time. She drank a mouthful of champagne and smiled at her.
“You will just have to wait and see.”
Jackie shook her head and laughed.
As they sat and relaxed on the couch, Polly’s mobile phone beeped.
She grumbled, “Sorr
y about that, I thought it was off.”
She grabbed the phone from the coffee table and couldn’t resist checking to see who the text was from. It was from Kate. Inwardly she groaned. Not again! However, she still pressed the button to view the message.
Hi, I know you don’t want to talk to me but I need you. I really need you. Kate.
Polly rolled her eyes and quickly punched out a reply while apologising to Jackie. Can’t talk now. Busy.
Polly returned to her guest but within a minute, the phone interrupted them again. “Damn! I am sorry, Jackie. I’ll turn it off.” She flicked the phone open and couldn’t help seeing the message before she pressed the power off button.
Poll, I’m serious. I really need to talk to you. I just found out I’m having twins!
As she turned the phone off, Polly stared wide-eyed into space. No. Impossible.
“What’s the matter, Polly?” Jackie asked.
“It’s Kate.”
“Oh, can’t she leave you be? Hasn’t she caused enough bother?”
“She’s having twins.” Polly sighed.
“What?” Jackie gasped. “Poor woman!” She shook her head and drank some more champagne. “Serves her right, I guess.”
Polly could hardly breathe, but not from the revelation that her ex-best-friend was having twins by her husband. What shocked Polly was that morning she’d finished the first draft of her new novel and in it, Sally’s best friend, Claire, was also having twins.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, hun.” Jackie sat forward and put her hand on Polly’s shoulder.
“Oh no!” Polly took deep breaths to calm herself down. “Jackie, it’s all happening again!”
~ The End ~
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