by Peter Martin
‘I used to be involved in sports when I was younger. So maybe I will when I get the time. The last few months I’ve been busy moving house and settling myself into my new surroundings, and there’s this job.’
‘Yes, I suppose you must have had a stressful time. So how do you find Ashfield?’
‘Beautiful. The countryside is breath-taking and the town itself seems charming.’
‘It is. That the reason why you moved here?’
‘Not exactly. As you may have gathered, I used to live in the Edgincombe area. I needed a fresh start after a distressing divorce. And this place fitted the bill.’
‘That’s a bit drastic, isn’t it? What about your family?’
‘Everybody has either died or I’ve lost touch with them. There was nothing to tie me to the area.’ He changed the subject, and asked, ‘And how about you, have you lived here all your life?’
‘Yes, I have. Ashfield born and bred. I love it here, and it’s only an hour’s drive from the coast.’
‘I’m looking forward to heading to the coast myself someday soon. So what block do you live in? I’m in Lancaster House on the first floor.’
‘Oh – I’m in Gloucester House on the first floor, it’s the next block up to Lancaster.’
‘Hey, so we might bump into each other.’
‘Yes,’ she said as he drove into the car park. They both got out, and not wanting her to go, he continued, ‘So what subject do you teach? I teach English.’
‘Mathematics.’
‘Oh, so you’re a clever-clogs. My name’s Billy Price – any time you want a lift to work, you’re more than welcome.’
‘Well, Mr Billy Price, I’m Becky Turner. That’s kind, but I leave very early, because I have to take my son to school first.’
‘Oh, I see.’
‘Nice to meet you, Billy, hope to see you around.’ She offered him her small dainty hand, which he took, surprised at how warm and soft it was.
He waved to her as they went their separate ways.
He was glad to have met Becky. She seemed genuine, and attractive too. A little on the shy side, which he found engaging, but he detected a good sense of humour in her. She’d be like a breath of fresh air after what he’d been through with Sarah. He’d like to get to know her better but if she had a son, she was probably married, or a single mum. Or she may live with the child’s father. He hadn’t seen a ring on her finger, but that meant nothing.
Returning to an empty flat was depressing, but he took heart from the positive signs he’d encountered. His job had gone well, albeit only his second day, and now, he at least had a new friend in the form of Becky.
He spent two hours reading through the essays Mr Wilkinson had passed onto him. But whilst the quality of writing and story line in most was impressive, they lacked that certain something that Sarah’s work had possessed in abundance. There he was again, thinking of Sarah. Maybe one day the pain would disappear altogether.
At around eight o’clock he ventured down to the pub again and bought himself a meat pie and a pint. He acknowledged one or two locals, but with the highlights of the first half of a football match being shown on the large screen, all eyes glued were to it. Only vaguely interested he didn’t stay too long, deciding instead to walk down a few country lanes in the hope he might bump into Becky. But, disappointed, he returned to his flat.
Before going to bed, however, he peered out of his kitchen window, wondering which first floor flat belonged to Becky. Maybe if they worked in the same school and lived close to each other, their paths might cross sometime soon.
CHAPTER 21
Three weeks passed, and Billy got involved with his students’ work as much as possible. He enjoyed helping them hone their English skills, knowing what a sense of achievement he’d get when they gained high grades in their exams. Nonetheless, he thought of Becky, hoping he might bump into her, but apart from saying hello a few times he didn’t see much of her. And at home, he never saw her out jogging and feared she was avoiding him. Being near his age, he assumed they’d have similar interests, but would he ever find out?
It wasn’t until one Saturday lunchtime that they met again. He’d spent the morning shopping at the supermarket, and feeling harassed and on edge, took a leisurely walk to his local for lunch.
With the weather unusually warm for the second week in October, Billy sat in the beer garden to enjoy the sunshine. Most of the wooden benches and tables dotted about the grassed area were taken, but on the far side he spotted a wrought iron bench. That will do, he thought, and walked over to claim it. He smiled to himself, the noise from the children playing was deafening, but he didn’t care; it brought back both happy and sad memories. He spread out his newspaper in front of him and took a long draught of the ice-cold lager.
A shadow fell across him and he was aware of a figure standing before him. He looked up and there stood Becky and her young son standing beside her. From the smile on her face, she appeared pleased to see him.
‘Hallo,’ she grinned. ‘Fancy seeing you here. Waiting for someone, are you?’
‘No, I’m on my own,’ Billy said.
‘Mind if we join you?’
‘Please be my guest,’ He folded his newspaper up and shuffled along the bench to make room for them.
Then Billy’s meal came, and his face flushed with embarrassment.
‘Oh sorry, I didn’t realise you were eating.’
He held up his hand and said, ‘Honestly, I don’t mind you sitting here – it’s nice to have company. And anyway, who’s this young man?’
The lad looked about five or six years old. He smiled as his mother introduced him.
‘This is my son, David,’ she said, squeezing her son’s hand.
‘Hallo, David, great to meet you. Your Mum’s told me all about you and what you’ve been up to. When I heard what a good boy you are, well, I can tell you I’m impressed,’ Billy joked.
‘What did you tell him, Mummy?’ David asked.
‘Oh, only the good things,’ Becky teased.
But he’d had enough of sitting down, and tugging at his mother’s sleeve asked, ‘Mum is it all right if I play in the playground?’
‘I suppose so. But stay inside the fence. And don’t run in front of the swings,’ she said, shaking her head.
‘And be careful if you’re going on that climbing frame,’ Billy warned, ‘It’s quite high up,’
‘I will, sir. Come and play it’s fun. Mum likes to give me a push.’
‘I will, but later when I’ve finished eating my dinner,’ Billy said, and turning to Becky, asked, ‘So what’s all this about, calling me “sir”?’
She laughed. ‘I don’t know. I told him you were a teacher, so perhaps that’s why.’
Billy chuckled. ‘It must be lovely to be that age. What a smashing son you’ve got there,’ he said, and then tucked into his steak and kidney pie with gusto.
‘Well, he might seem all sweetness and light, but he can be a little monkey when he wants to be.’
‘How old is he?’
‘Five,’ she told him.
‘Nice age,’ Billy said. It seemed impossible not to think of his own two.
‘Yes, it is.’
‘So, where’s your husband, left him at home?’
‘No, not at all,’ she said. Colour flared up in her face.
‘Oh,’ he muttered, wondering whether she might elaborate further.
‘It’s very painful, I’m afraid. Robert and I split up about nine months ago. Sorry, but this isn’t a subject I enjoy talking about. He was seeing someone else, so I left him and took David with me as soon as I found out. But it’s knocked the stuffing out of me. I cried for days, and it’s only because of David that I managed to pull myself together.’
‘It seems you’re in a similar situation to me.’
‘Not quite – at the moment we’re just separated,’ she pointed out.
‘That’s terrible. I went through hell a few months back
. Don’t think I’ll ever get over it,’ he confided, remembering with a shudder the pain he experienced. But at least Becky had her son.
‘Looks like we’ve both been through the mill.’ She smiled, looking as though she felt sorry for him.
‘Sorry, if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine.’
‘No, I don’t mind, I have to get over it one day. Anyway, how are you settling down in Ashfield?’
‘Oh, good, but I’ve been so busy, what with buying new furniture, a washer, television and so on. And there’s lots of decorating to do. It’s costing me a lot I can tell you, but I’m getting there slowly. Come and take a look – bring David with you.
‘Thanks, I might just do that,’ she agreed.
‘Hey, sir,’ David shouted, ‘will you give me a push me now?’
Billy smiled. ‘I’d better see to your son.’
‘Yes, you had,’ she laughed.
For the next twenty minutes he got caught up with David’s demands. What started with a push on the swing became helping him on the climbing frame and the overhead ladder, culminating with a session on the gym equipment. When Becky called to say their meals had arrived, Billy was relieved. He hadn’t worked so hard in ages.
‘Well, I’d better go, got a lot of marking to catch up on,’ he said, wiping his brow.
‘Oh, sir. Can’t we carry on afterwards?’ A look of disappointment came on the child’s face.
‘Some other time, I promise,’ Billy said, winking at him.
‘Why don’t you come around to my flat later for a drink. I’m sure David will find lots of games for you both to play with?’ Becky said, a twinkle of mischief in her eye.
Billy’s smiled.
‘Well, I don’t intend to be working all evening, so yes I’d love to.’
‘Okay, come when you’re ready, it’s flat number six,’ she told him.
Still full of vigour and with a mouth full of food, David added, ‘When are you coming, sir. I’ve got a few card tricks I can show you.’
‘Probably around six or seven.’
‘Oh, that’s ages away.’
‘Now, David,’ his mother interjected. ‘Billy will come as soon as he can, I’m sure.’
She turned, and looking at Billy, raised her eyebrows and smiled.
After saying goodbye he left, his pulse racing at how things had panned out.
<><><>
Back at the flat, distracted by the day’s events, he had trouble concentrating on his marking. Was he wrong to get involved again? After all, he’d sworn he’d never would. But never was a long time and since she was in a similar situation to him, he couldn’t help liking her. He hated being on his own. Perhaps she was just being friendly because they were neighbours and colleagues.
When he’d finished marking it was seven o’clock. So, after a quick wash and change of clothes, he left his flat. He grinned to himself; David would be clock watching, waiting for him to arrive. First, he needed to pop in the corner shop and hope they had a decent bottle of wine. Luckily, they stocked a decent rosé. So, with a bottle under his arm, chocolate buttons and packet of crisps in his pocket, he set off for the flat.
David answered the door, his face eager. ‘Hallo, sir, come to play with me?’ he asked.
‘Yeah, for a while.’
With a tug of his sweater Billy entered the comfortable but plain living room.
‘I’ve already set up the track for my racing cars, over there.’ The child pointed to the figure-eight track in the corner of the room. ‘Will you play with me?’
‘Sure, but, give me a minute to catch my breath. I’ll say hallo to your mum first and give her this.’ Billy held up the bottle of wine. He saw Becky through the shelving unit which separated the kitchen from the living room and made his way towards her. She had removed a large cake from the oven and was placing it on the hob. Then she turned to face him.
‘That smells wonderful,’ he commented, breathing in deeply.
‘It’s a fruit cake, and there’s an apple pie I baked yesterday.’ She pointed to a covered dish to the side of the cooker. ‘You’re very welcome to a piece of either later.’
‘Thanks, I’m famished,’ he told her. ‘I brought this – hope you don’t mind.’
He handed her the bottle of wine.
‘Rosé, my favourite, how did you guess?’ she asked.
‘Mum, when can Sir play with my racing track?’ David shouted from the other room.
‘Coming. That son of yours, he is very persistent!’
‘Yes, he is,’ Becky grinned. ‘Seems to have taken a liking to you. It’s surprising, he’s hardly spoken a word to anyone he’s come into contact with these past few months.’
‘I’d better do as he asks, hadn’t I? Oh, by the way, I bought him chocolate and sweets. Is it all right for him to eat them?’ Billy said.
Becky nodded, smiling.
‘Thanks, sir!’ David said, smiling with delight.
For almost two hours Billy joined in with David’s games. First his racing track and several board games, and finally his box of magic tricks. Becky got involved too, but at nine o’clock she reminded her son it was time for bed.
‘Have you seen the time, David? Say goodnight to our guest and get ready for bed.’
‘Oh, can’t we play one more game?’
‘No, that’s enough for now,’ she told him.
Sulking, he put his games away. ‘Will you come again?’ he asked Billy.
‘Er … yes if I’m invited, but it’s up to your mum,’ Billy said.
‘Say he can, Mum. Please.’ His eyes lit up.
‘We’ll see, young man. It all depends if you behave or not,’ she threatened him.
Reluctantly, he sauntered off to the bathroom.
‘Good night, sir. Come again soon.’
‘I will, David, if I can.’
‘Best see to him, Billy, shan’t be more than a few minutes,’ she explained. ‘Otherwise it’ll be more of a cat-lick than a wash.’
He gave a knowing nod and smiled.
Fifteen minutes later she returned.
‘Had to tell him a quick story, but he’s asleep now,’ she explained.
‘He well and truly wore me out.’
‘He can be a handful, but it’s amazing how he seems to like you. Back at Sandringham Close, his dad was always out, and when he wasn’t, he never played with David. And when his dad and I argued, it must have done something to him.’
‘That’s sad, they say it’s the kids that always suffer. I’m glad he likes me, but I don’t know why.’
‘You seem a natural. Have you some experience of your own, or did you teach younger children before?’
‘No, I’ve never taught children of primary school age. But my kids are still young.’
‘You must miss them terribly.’
‘I do, and although I have to move on, at times I find it really hard.’
‘How about a glass of that wine you bought?’ she said.
‘Oh, yes, I’d forgotten. I’ll open it. Got a corkscrew?’
They settled down in the living room to enjoy the wine.
‘It’s very nice,’ Becky said, taking a sip of the drink. ‘So, I take it you’ve got all your marking done?’
‘Just about.’
‘Me too, in between seeing to this one over here. It isn’t easy living in these flats. Although I’ve got to know a few of the neighbours, like Nancy and Jack next door’ – she gestured towards the kitchen wall – ‘who help out babysitting when I go out jogging. The problem is there are no other kids his age here, so he gets pretty fed up especially during holidays.
‘Yeah, but I don’t mind playing with him, he’s a great kid. He must get his goodness from his mum.’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t say that.’ She blushed. ‘I have a fearsome temper as my husband would tell you. I’ve been known to throw things when I’m riled.’
‘Well, I’ll make a hasty retreat when I notice you’ve got a tantrum
coming on,’ he said, laughing, and she joined in. She looked so pretty when she laughed.
They talked freely after that about their likes and dislikes and found they had similar tastes in both music and films. And sports as well: swimming and tennis. And Becky even confessed to having an interest in football although she didn’t support any team.
The time passed quickly, and looking at his watch to see it was almost midnight he stood up, saying, ‘My God, I didn’t realise it was so late. I must go. I’ve intruded on you for long enough. I don’t want to wear out my welcome.’
‘I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been a while since I’ve had any real adult company, apart from at school. It makes a pleasant change from playing with racing cars.’
‘Yes, we should do it again sometime. I’d like to return the favour. How about next Sunday at midday?’
‘All right, I’ll come, but I’ll have to bring David too – hope you don’t mind.’
‘Not at all, I loved being his playmate tonight. It reminded me of ... happier times. So, I’ll see you around, either out jogging or at school.’
‘You probably will.’
They walked together to the front door.
‘Thanks for a wonderful evening.’
‘My pleasure, hope David hasn’t been too overpowering,’ she said a little nervously.
‘On the contrary, it’s been quite an experience.’
She gave him a peck on the cheek before waving to him as he walked down the stairs. He hadn’t enjoyed a night so much in ages, and hoped it was the first of many.
Filled with the night’s events, Billy slept well. Amazing how his luck had changed – to come back from the brink and be given a second chance of happiness. Perhaps David would serve as a catalyst in their relationship. He’d never replace Alice or Aaron, that was obvious. But if they did get together, it would be good if the lad got on with Alice. If he ever saw her again.
He prayed he had a chance with Becky; the fact that she was married, but separated, was but a small matter.
However, during the following few days, he didn’t see her either at school or out jogging and became fretful. And again, got the idea she may be avoiding him. But if his suspicions were true, what could he do about it? Without a mobile number, he had no means of contacting her and didn’t like to go to her flat without asking beforehand. So, barring a miracle he’d have to wait and see what happened on Sunday. Surely she’d find a way to contact him if something came up and they couldn’t make it. He felt disheartened. Was their friendship over before it had even begun?
