Down on Daffodil Lane

by Rebecca Pugh

  ‘Maria?’

  Opening only the one eye, Maria felt her heart plummet. ‘Brad. Fancy seeing you here.’

  He was stood at the opening to the clearing she’d just come through with his hands in his trousers pockets. ‘I saw you. Following the trail. You found it then?’ He began to make his way towards her without waiting for an invitation. She supposed he didn’t need one really. This was more his neck of the woods rather than hers.

  ‘What? This place?’ She watched him for a few moments more then took another glance around herself. ‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I’ve been painting some more at the cottage and thought I could do with some fresh air. My adventurous side came out to play and led me here.’

  ‘May I?’ He gestured to the space beside her on the bench.

  ‘Sure.’ She shifted up a tiny bit.

  ‘I used to come here a lot, when I felt like I needed to clear my head a little bit. It works. Nothing but nature surrounding you. It makes everything else seem so small, doesn’t it?’ Smiling, he gazed out across the grass. ‘How’s it going then? The painting? Coming along okay?’

  Maria kept thinking back to the day they’d ridden Shephard together, and immediately she felt that she was sitting too close to him. She thought about shifting over perhaps a little bit more but then decided against it. She didn’t want to insult him, and had he really done anything wrong, other than try to get her to open up? He hadn’t been nasty or dismissive. In fact, he’d been nothing but friendly. She let the bad feelings go and relaxed.

  ‘Really well, actually, which I’m surprised about because I’ve never been much good when it comes to painting and decorating. I haven’t had the chance to do much of it. I’ve chosen yellow for the walls, hopefully brighten the cottage up. It needs it. Or, it did need it. It’s beginning to look much more inviting now.’

  ‘Must be a lot of work, on your own I mean. If ever you feel like you need any help, I can pop over and lend a hand. I’m not amazing but four hands are better than two, right?’

  She laughed. ‘Thanks, but I think I’m all right. It’s coming along slowly but surely. It’s great, putting a little bit of myself into it. I won’t want to leave when the time comes. I’ll feel like I’m leaving a piece of myself behind.’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll do a great job. Don’t worry about it.’

  ‘So what are you up to?’

  Brad laughed. ‘I was actually heading here myself, believe it or not. Seems like the perfect evening for it, with it being so warm. Took a stroll by the lake. Surprised we didn’t bump into each actually. It’s nice to see you though. You’re looking really well.’

  Maria smiled. ‘You too.’ She wondered if he was always so full of compliments or, ridiculously, if it was just her. She blushed and turned her face away.

  They sat in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the natural peace that surrounded them. It was so calming, she could have fallen asleep right there and then if it wasn’t for the wood she was sat on. It was ancient and splintered and not cosy seating at all. Still, she couldn’t complain. Brad was right. Being surrounded by such phenomenal beauty made all other things seem small in comparison. The problems that had not so long ago been haunting her day and night were small and inconsequential.

  ‘Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve been?’ asked Brad. He remained staring across the clearing.

  The question took Maria by surprise, not only because it seemed to come out of the blue, but because, when she really thought about it, she was tempted to say that this place was. Once again, she was reminded of how small her life had truly been with Mike. They’d been on holiday together in the past, of course, but Mike hadn’t enjoyed the same things as Maria. Beautiful views and striking surroundings were her thing, while alcohol and entertainment had been his. They’d been to Spain for their honeymoon and although it had been wonderful to get away, it wasn’t what she’d been hoping for. With tourist season being so high, it was constantly packed and noisy, and the hotel pool area had been overcrowded with families and squabbling children. She had nothing against families or squabbling children, but it hadn’t been the romantic, intimate getaway she’d been imagining in her mind. Had she been aiming too high, she wondered? Hoping for too much? Or was it right that she’d hoped for that for their honeymoon? Either way, thinking back, she wouldn’t have picked it as the most beautiful place she’d been. Here was definitely a top contender for her list, even if it wasn’t some tropical paradise.

  ‘Maria?’ Brad prompted. ‘Earth to Maria?’

  She blinked at him, laughed lightly. ‘Sorry, miles away. Erm… most beautiful place I’ve been? Well, this is going to sound completely ridiculous but I’d have to say,’ she shrugged, ‘this place. Loland Green. I know, I know, probably not what you were expecting me to say but it’s true.’

  ‘Not ridiculous at all. I think I’d have to agree with you.’

  ‘Really?’ She looked across at him. ‘Have you travelled much?’

  ‘Not loads but I’ve been to see a few places. Travelling’s great but I always reach a point where I want to come home.’ He smiled shyly. ‘Bit of a child in that respect. The homesickness gets too much. But anyway, out of the places I have seen, I think this place still holds my number one spot. There’s nothing superficial about it. Nothing man-made or fake. It’s just pure nature doing whatever the hell it likes.’

  ‘That’s a pretty accurate description.’ Maria nodded along in agreement.

  ‘Thank you.’ Brad performed a playful bow and laughed. ‘What about you then? Have you travelled much?’

  ‘Hardly. I’ve been to a few places but nowhere that really felt special. I don’t know what it is that stands out here, but I just feel at home. More at home than I’ve ever felt before. I suppose it’s thanks to Millie and Harriet for making me feel so welcome. I arrived and felt like I’d made two friends for life immediately. It’s been easier than I thought, coming here and starting again, I suppose.’

  ‘I don’t think you could have come to a better place.’

  ‘Neither do I,’ she agreed. ‘Anyway,’ she rose from the bench. ‘I best get back to the cottage. I was only meant to come for a little walk to get some fresh air. It was nice to see you again, Brad.’

  ‘You too, Maria. I think I’ll stay here for a little while longer. Remember to give me a shout if you need any help with the cottage. I’m always around to lend a hand.’

  ‘Thanks. I’ll keep your offer in mind. See you around.’ She headed back the way she’d come and couldn’t help the small smile from creeping onto her lips.

  Chapter Ten

  The air was filled with the scent of fried onions as Maria walked alongside Millie and Susie. She inhaled deeply and knew that at some point, she’d be visiting one of the many food vans that had been set up on the field.

  The summer fete had arrived in Loland Green and the weather was perfect for it. There were games, fairground rides for the children (and perhaps the adults if they fancied it), a raffle, and even a stall for homemade jars of jam and pickle, along with cakes and sandwiches. The atmosphere was one of excitement as children tugged eagerly on their parents’ hands, eyes alight with magic as they spotted the candyfloss stall.

  ‘It’s quite a turn-out,’ Maria commented, taking it all in with a smile. She hadn’t been to anything like this in a long time, but it was obvious that she’d been missing out. The field was already crowded with families and locals, all of them laughing and in high spirits as they dawdled from stall to stall, taking their sweet time in the warm weather.

  ‘Isn’t it?’ grinned Millie. ‘It’s like this every year and believe it or not, the weather always delivers.’ She waved and Maria spotted Harriet up ahead.

  ‘Hello,’ she sang as she approached. ‘What do you think, Maria? Isn’t it wonderful?’ Harriet looked around at the crowds before turning back to her. ‘Mind you, I’m not a huge fan of the rides.’

  ‘Neither am I,’ admitted Millie. She w
as about to say something else but paused and waved, although this time it wasn’t at Harriet but at someone behind her.

  ‘Afternoon, everyone.’ Harvey approached them, along with Brad. ‘Millie.’ He nodded at her and smiled, eyes twinkling. ‘I didn’t know you’d be here.’

  ‘Oh, I always bring Susie.’ She was blushing furiously, Maria noticed. ‘She likes the merry-go-round.’

  Brad didn’t say anything but caught Maria’s eye and smiled.

  ‘I love the merry-go-round too,’ said Harvey. He knelt down on the ground so that he was eye-level with Susie. She smiled at him, hiding slightly behind Millie’s legs. ‘What do you say, Susie? Do you fancy going on the merry-go-round?’ She nodded shyly, and Harvey returned to his full height. ‘Great. Let’s go then.’

  Millie fluttered her eyelashes and off they went. Maria watched them go before turning back to Harriet and Brad.

  ‘I better get back to my stall.’ smiled Harriet.

  ‘You’ve got a stall?’

  ‘Of course I’ve got a stall. You know how much I love to bake. There’s cakes galore! I’ll leave you two young ones to it.’ Harriet left them too.

  Maria felt awkward. She glanced at Brad. He didn’t look as if he knew what to do either. They’d been abandoned, by the looks of things. The question was, did they stick together, or go their separate ways?

  ‘Fancy a burger?’ Brad asked in the end, the corner of his mouth quirking into a half-smile.

  ‘I thought you’d never ask,’ laughed Maria. They made their way towards one of the vans then took their burgers and sat down on the grass where picnic blankets had been laid out. Loud, upbeat music filled the warm air and as they both ate, Maria began to relax. This was clearly the place to be.

  ‘So I’m guessing Harvey wanted you to tag along today?’

  ‘What makes you say that?’ Brad was still chewing as he glanced sideways at her.

  Maria shrugged. ‘You just don’t seem like the summer fete type.’

  ‘How do you know?’ he laughed.

  ‘Just a guess.’

  ‘You’re right. Harvey did want me to tag along. He wanted to accidentally bump into Millie. He knew she’d be here. He’s head over heels.’

  Those words set off a mini-firework of happiness in Maria’s chest. She smiled, and looked in the direction of the merry-go-round. ‘That’s lovely.’

  ‘If you like that sort of thing.’

  ‘Don’t you?’

  ‘It’s all right.’

  Maria snorted. ‘Gosh, you are a ray of sunshine today, aren’t you, Brad?’

  He quirked an eyebrow and continued eating his burger.

  Maria sat and watched life happening all around her. Children running and laughing, couples kissing and hand-holding, happiness radiating from each of them. She wanted to be part of it. To be involved in life in motion.

  ‘Fancy a ride on the waltzers?’

  Scrunching up the napkin, Brad grinned. ‘Really?’

  ‘Yeah, why not?’ Maria shrugged. ‘The weather’s gorgeous. Everyone’s having fun. Life’s too short to not ride the fairground. Isn’t it?’ In truth, she felt guilty about how she’d left things after the ride on Shephard that day. She’d rushed off and probably left him feeling as if he’d done something wrong. She’d got scared, she supposed, but here – in the field, with the rides and stalls and smell of food – she wanted to have some fun with him.

  He held her gaze. ‘Yeah, I guess it is.’

  And so they spent the afternoon surprisingly relaxed in each other’s company. Maria couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so hard. As the force of their cart spinning on the track flung her into Brad’s side, she gripped onto the bar for dear life and screamed for more. Brad joined in with the laughter and afterwards, as they both wobbled down the steps, Maria pointed to the ghost train. After that, they competed against each other at the hook-a-duck stand, and Maria whooped when she won a prize. It was a huge stuffed daffodil, bizarrely. She thanked the man and, feeling wonderfully childish, she stuck her tongue out at Brad who shook his head.

  ‘Alright, Miss Competitive. Reel it in.’

  She felt giddy from the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She hadn’t been this happy for months. She could have easily floated right into the sky and drifted off on cloud nine.

  ‘What now?’ Brad asked, looking around. Then he spotted it. Maria realised what he was looking at and quickly shook her head.

  ‘No. No way. Not a chance.’

  ‘Come on,’ Brad said, smirking boyishly. ‘It’s not that bad.’

  ‘Are you joking?’ Maria gasped. ‘Look how bloody big the thing is!’ She watched, terrified, as the ball was flung into the air. She could hear the screams of the people strapped inside from where she was standing – the screams of people scared for their lives, not of people who were enjoying themselves. She stared in horror and took a few steps back, away from Brad who was waiting for her.

  ‘Wimp,’ Brad coughed out in a jokey manner.

  Maria glared at him. ‘I’m not a wimp, I just enjoy being alive, thank you very much.’

  Snorting, Brad grabbed her hand. ‘I’m not taking no for an answer.’

  Aghast, Maria began to protest and managed to whip her hand out his grasp, but instead of trying to snatch it back, Brad ran at her, lifted her into the air and flung her over his shoulder.

  ‘Put me down!’ she insisted, but she couldn’t help laughing. ‘Brad, please! If you put me on that thing, I will cry!’

  ‘Crying has no effect on me.’ He continued towards the ride, where the ball had begun descending back to the ground, ready for the next riders.

  ‘Please, Brad, I am begging you!’

  Finally, once they were stood right in front of the ride, Brad returned her to the ground. ‘Come on. Please ride it with me.’

  ‘I can’t, it’s too tall.’ She peered up into the sky. ‘What if the ball comes loose and we’re flung into the air?’

  ‘Maria, that’s not going to happen. Hundreds of people ride this every year. You thought you couldn’t take that ride on Shephard with me, but you did it, didn’t you? Even though you were scared of something bad happening?’

  Maria sighed. ‘That’s completely different. That’s a horse ride and, compared to this contraption, I’m beginning to think it wasn’t so bad after all.’

  ‘It’s not completely different! You were brave enough to do it. You could have easily climbed down and refused, but you did it and realised it was fine. This will be exactly the same. I’ve been on it before and it’s honestly not as bad as it looks. I promise. You’ll enjoy it.’

  People had made her promises before and then broken them. Promises didn’t really have a meaning to her any more, even promises about fairground rides. ‘I don’t know…’ she said nervously.

  ‘Please?’ Brad begged. ‘If you hate it, I’ll buy you a drink in the pub.’

  The buzzing atmosphere was enough to drown out her warring thoughts. She looked between Brad and the offending ride a couple of times before rolling her eyes. She didn’t want to ruin what had been a brilliantly fun day by saying no. If anything, she wanted it to continue for as long as possible. ‘Fine. Let’s do it, but quickly otherwise I’ll change my mind.’

  Brad grinned and grabbed her hand, tugging her towards the steps that led up to the platform. Maria tried not to think as she sat down next to Brad and allowed one of the men working on the ride to strap her in. It didn’t feel tight enough, or was she overthinking things? She licked her lips, looking out across the field and the few onlookers who had gathered to watch the ball flick up into the air.

  ‘I’m so scared right now,’ she said to Brad.

  ‘Hold my hand if you want.’ He held it towards her. ‘Just try not to break it when the ball takes off.’

  Maria eyed his hand for a couple of seconds, then took it. Brad’s gaze lingered on her before he looked back out across the field.

  A robotic voice began to
countdown from ten, sending Maria’s pulse sky-high. Her heart galloped in her chest, and without realising, she began to squeeze Brad’s hand a little tighter.

  It happened in a matter of seconds. The countdown reached one, there was a moment of tense, agonising silence, and then they rocketed up into the blue sky, Maria screaming her head off at a pitch she’d never reached before. The air whooshed past her face, blasting her cheeks, and beside her Brad yelled too, raising their clasped hands into the air. The view, although she only glimpsed it, was stunning. Fields spread out for miles into the distance and it was green for as far as the eye could see. When the ball began its descent back to the ground, her stomach rolled as she squeezed her eyes shut again, not wanting to see the ground coming towards her at a rapid speed. Up, down, up down. The ball continued to bounce until, finally, it rocked to a standstill about half-way up and began to lower back to the ground.

  They were unstrapped and Maria, on wobbly legs, went back down the steps, too shocked to speak.

  ‘You okay?’ Brad was beside her with a hand on her shoulder, laughing as he regained breath. He peered at her face anxiously. ‘You’re not going to throw up, are you?’

  ‘No, I don’t think so. I feel like I have legs made of jelly though.’ Surprisingly, she was able to laugh and closed her eyes to steady herself. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever, ever do that again.’

  ‘Come on, let’s go and get some water. You look like you need a drink.’

  ‘How about that drink in the pub? I think something stronger might be in order after such an ordeal.’

  ‘Do you know what? That’s a fantastic idea. Do you want to let Millie know that we’re heading off?’