“When you got back? Got back from where?”
“Got back from where, she says. From the White Hart, where do you think? After I spent half the night waiting for you, my supposed best friend, to put in an appearance.”
Scarlett shrieked. “Amanda, I’m so sorry. I—I clean forgot. Let me make it up to you, please.”
Amanda shrugged. “Go on then, tell me. What was so important that you had to leave me standing there on my own? I felt like a right fool.”
“I know it must have been terrible for you, but I didn’t mean to. It just … happened.”
“You’re not making things any better.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“So, go on then, what happened? Give me your excuses.”
“Well, I got the call and we spent all night trying to get Ronnie out of the base.”
“That’s it? That’s the best you can come up with? You spent all night trying to get Ronnie out of the base?” Amanda sniggered.
Scarlett looked downcast. “It’s the truth.”
“Okay then, supposing that is what happened, why did it take you all night?”
“Well, it’s a long story. I err… “
Amanda glanced at the clock. “I’ll have to be up in an hour.”
“Well, it took all night because, to begin with, they refused to release him from the medical center. They had orders to detain him as a precaution. Some kind of protocol that they always adhere to. But Ronnie just wanted to get home… “
Amanda yawned and stretched.
“When we got there, we had to hang around for ages and talk to a whole load of nurses. Then they had to find a doctor, who was busy, before we got the go ahead. You know what it’s like these days, don’t you?”
Amanda nodded. “Oh, yes.”
“So, that’s why we needed Tarquin, Karl, and Tabitha.”
“Why did you need all of them? I don’t understand.”
“We needed someone to sign for him, to say they’d take responsibility. Keep an eye on him, watch out for signs of concussion. Oh, you know the things I mean.”
Amanda stared right at her, expressionless.
“Well?”
“Well what?”
“Is that okay? Do you believe me now?”
Amanda contorted her mouth as if weighing things up. “Well—Well, okay then.”
Scarlett beamed. “Really? Oh, thank you. It won’t happen again, I promise. I’m sorry.”
Amanda shook her head. “No, I’m the one that should be sorry. Scarlett, thank you so much for everything you’ve done tonight.”
“I only did it for you. Because I didn’t want you to be worried.”
“I know. I can see that now. Come here.” Amanda leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her friend.
Breaking away from the hug, Amanda looked into Scarlett’s teary eyes and said she was sorry for doubting her.
“It’s okay. There’s no need to apologize.”
“Yes. Yes, there is. I feel so mean.” Amanda chuckled.
“What? What you laughing at?”
“Just thinking. If you go taking off again, I’ll have to get a bit better at dealing with crises, won’t I?”
Scarlett smiled and shook her head.
“What? You not going away now?” Amanda grinned. “You changed your mind?”
“Well, let’s just say that this whole ordeal, has taught me a thing or two about what’s important in life.”
“And what might that be?”
“I’ve just finally come to my senses and realized who my friends are. Amanda, I belong here with you and my aunt and—”
“And Karl?”
They both cracked up laughing.
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far, but you know what I mean?”
Amanda nodded, her expression full of warmth. “I know exactly what you mean.”
“All that said—I’ve decided to stay and find my happiness here, in Bicester instead of running off. This is where I belong.”
Amanda beamed. “I’ve waited so long to hear you say that. So, I won’t be needing to find a new housemate anytime soon then?”
“No, no you won’t.”
“Promise?”
“Amanda, I can categorically assure you that I am not going anywhere.”
“Glad to hear it from the horse’s mouth.”
Scarlett grinned and lowered her eyes. “Think I might have gone temporarily insane.”
Amanda laughed. “Who could blame you, working for Karl all day?”
“No, now I know who my friends are.”
Amanda squeezed her hand.
“Just being around people that care about you gives you so much more strength and courage to deal with things. We just need each other, don’t you think?”
Amanda nodded. “Couldn’t have put it any better myself.”
+++
Tabitha’s house, Bicester, England
Turning down the corner of a lamp-lit street, Tarquin looked over his shoulder. “You okay there, Tabitha? Won’t be long now. You’ll soon be back home in your bed. You had me worried there for a minute.”
“Mmm. I was worried. Tell you what, that spell really made me feel drained of energy. I’ve never had it as bad as that before.”
Tarquin turned down another, almost identical, street. “I know exactly what you mean. Exactly. I was struggling with it, too.”
“Were you really? You looked the picture of calmness throughout. I’d never have known if you hadn’t said.”
“Well, appearances can be deceptive.”
Tabitha nodded. “They can indeed Tarquin, they can indeed.”
“I tell you, when we were doing the spell, I was that close to my breaking point.” He made his thumb and finger into a gap, roughly one inch tall.
“Well, like I said, I had no idea. You hid it well. Unlike me.”
“Nonsense, you’re a tough cookie if ever I saw one.”
“What it was, though, what kept me hanging on when I thought I couldn’t, was—”
“The thought of Scarlett and Tim, leaving them exposed and vulnerable?”
“Yes, exactly. If it wasn’t for their involvement, if I was doing it for my own benefit, I would have given up. It was not wanting to let them down that got me through it.”
Tarquin nodded. “It was exactly the same for me. That and the encouragement I got from you, dear old friend.” He took a left. “Which street is it again?”
“Left at the bottom here, then first on your right. It’s a bit of a maze, I’m afraid.”
Tarquin grinned. “No problem.”
“Now where were we? Oh yes, I wouldn’t have been able to hang on if it wasn’t for you.”
Tarquin nodded at the windscreen and focused on the road as he was hit by the glaring headlights of an oncoming car. “Maybe it’s a sign. What the—” He swerved to avoid a cat that ran out on the road, avoiding it by inches.
“Be careful.” Tabitha laughed. “I’ve had enough of cats for one day.”
“Yeah, me too. A talking cat. You ever come across that before?”
“No, not in my experience, but I have heard about them.”
Tarquin slowed, came to a halt and turned off the engine. “Home at last, dear friend.”
Tabitha tried to swivel round. “Ouch.”
Tarquin turned to face her again. “What is it? What have you done?”
“My leg’s gone to sleep.” She sighed. “You know, maybe all this is some kind of sign.”
“A sign? what of?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Tabitha rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and began to snivel.
“Hey, don’t cry, old friend.” Tarquin stepped out of the driver’s door and got in the back beside Tabitha. He patted her leg. “What is it, what’s wrong?”
Tabitha opened the door. “Why don’t you come inside for a quick chat?”
“You sure you’re not too tired?”
“Oh, I’m never too tired to
talk to you.”
Tarquin followed Tabitha along the garden path to the front door. Sitting down beside her on the couch, Tarquin waited for Tabitha to make herself comfortable before persisting. “So, tell me. What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Tabitha sighed. “I’m getting old. Old and weary.”
“No, you’re a tough cookie, remember? Besides, age is in the mind.”
Tabitha snapped out of it. “Age does have its advantages, of course.”
“Well, it does, I suppose. We’re both wiser than the others, for a start.”
“Exactly. Look at tonight for instance. Had any of the others experienced what we did, things might have unraveled at quite a pace.”
Tarquin nodded. “I know exactly what you mean. I was thinking the same thing myself, earlier.”
“We’ve seen it, done it and we know that things will always work themselves out.”
“Exactly. There’s no need to go around forcing the issue is there?”
“Absolutely not.”
Tabitha yawned.
“Oh, well.” Tarquin stood up. “Think I’ll be making tracks. You go on, get yourself off to bed.”
“Okay. You drive carefully. Good night.”
“Good night, old friend.”
The thud of Tarquin’s car door was still reverberating around the car when his phone started ringing. “Hello, Tarquin speaking.”
Chapter Eighteen
Malaprop’s Bookstore, Bicester, England
Racing along the M40, Cliff almost missed the sign informing him that his turn off was approaching. Thirty seconds later, the same sign appeared, shaped like an arrow. He smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. Bicester wasn’t a bad place to live and getting back there on this particular morning, just seemed to matter more than usual.
The indicator clicked, the car took a left and he joined the back of the queue. Two minutes later and he’d progressed to second, behind a white Luton van. He slumped forward on the steering wheel, eyes glazing over while cars raced across, just a few feet in front of the lights.
When eventually, the van in front moved and he found himself with a clear route into town, Cliff relaxed. He couldn’t stand motorways, not at all. There was absolutely nothing to do but drive forwards for miles, but he still had to be alert in case some idiot pulled out in front of him. Consequently, he now felt able to relax somewhat and allow his head to clear. He noticed his legs trembling and his stomach churning. His head felt like he was floating in the grey clouds above him.
By the time he arrived at Malaprop’s, he was shaking all over. Stepping from his car, he stumbled on a nearby loose rock and lunged forward. For the next ten seconds or so, he flapped his arms around, frantically trying to regain his balance and save himself from the indignity of falling flat on his face.
A pedestrian passed by the carpark, looked right at him and smirked. Cliff was about to walk across to put the by-passer straight in no uncertain terms, but stopped himself just in time. If people thought he was drunk, he’d blend in and no one would ever suspect the real reason why he was so jittery.
The uneven car park played havoc with him throughout the short journey from his car to the front door. It wasn’t until he was within reaching distance of the handle that he noticed the shutters were down and all the blinds were closed. Moreover, there wasn’t a single sound coming from within. Without even trying the handle, he paused to give the situation a moment’s thought.
The by-passer from moments earlier had given him an idea. If he could get some fresh air, he might start to feel better. And if he pretended he was drunk, he might be able to take a short walk without arousing any suspicions. Leaving the car park, he turned and headed off to Karl’s.
Half way along the road, he passed a woman on the opposite side of the street who stared at him, curiously. Cliff decided to put his plan into action. So, taking a deep breath, he started singing and exaggerated his stumbling walk. And it worked too. The woman smirked, waved a hand and continued on her way, seemingly without giving him a second thought.
As soon as the woman had gone out of sight, he stopped singing, but recommenced the minute anyone else started staring. It wasn’t long before he turned the corner of the road on which the vintner’s was situated. By the time the shop came into view, he got a sense that he’d made a wasted journey.
The shutters were down, the blinds were closed and there wasn’t a sound coming from within. He decided to try the handle just for the hell of it, before turning round. By this time, he’d almost managed to convince himself that he was drunk.
Wandering aimlessly into a nearby residential area, the road started to spin. He stopped, rooted to the spot. The difference between himself and a drunk was that his situation could turn critical at any given moment. After taking a moment to gather himself, he headed back into town the way he’d come.
Ten minutes later, he was back in his car outside Malaprop’s, the driver’s door opened to let in the fresh air. Someone passed by the car park and peered right at him, making him feel like a bit of a freak show. It was with great reluctance initially that he left his car and staggered to the door. After trying the handle just for fun, he turned round and slumped on the floor.
Sitting up straight, with his back to the door, he took out his phone and found Tarquin’s number.
“Hello, Tarquin speaking.”
“Tarquin, it’s Cliff.”
“Cliff!”
“Look, what’s happening with, you know, Ronnie?”
“Oh, relax it’s all in hand.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? I can’t relax.”
“Well…”
“You gonna tell me what’s going on or not?”
“I don’t really want to do that over the phone, Cliff. Where are you? Calm down friend, everything worked out.”
A motorbike sped along the road, causing Cliff to cover his ears.
“Sounds like you’re pulled up in a lay-by somewhere.”
“Wrong. I’m here, outside your shop. Waiting to get in. Like I’ve nothing better to do with my time. Where the hell are you?”
“I’m outside Tabitha’s. I’ve just been dropping her off. Are you okay? You sound a bit shall I say excited.”
“I’m fine! Looking for you is all. You gonna be long? It’s been a long night and I’m sitting here outside your shop freezing to death. I’m provoking one or two curious stares, if you know what I mean.”
“Well, just stay put. I’ll be right over in less than ten. Okay?”
“Ten minutes? Suppose it’ll have to be, won’t it?”
+++
Malaprop’s Bookstore, Bicester, England
The cold, hard doorstep provided Cliff with little comfort as he sat with his back to the bookshop door. The night was just starting to grow old by this time. The moon was fading and the sky beginning to brighten. Maybe he’d get to have some sleep tonight, and maybe not.
It had been a successful outing all in all. The blood had done him a world of good and he felt sure that in a few hours, once he’d stopped feeling so jittery, he’d be feeling better.
“Cliff.”
“Tarquin. Didn’t see you there.”
“You okay, Cliff? Looks like you’ve been through the mill a bit?”
“Well, to be honest, I am feeling a bit worse for wear.”
“You finally got hold of some blood, then, I take it.”
Cliff nodded. “Finally, yeah. Went to my head a bit though, I kind of overreacted.”
Tarquin hooked his arms under Cliff’s armpits. “Come on, then.” Tarquin gritted his teeth and tensed every muscle in his body as he tried in vain to lift Cliff to his feet. “No.” He slumped down beside Cliff. “Let’s wait for Karl; he should be along soon.”
“Oh, well okay then,” Cliff muttered, “if you can’t manage it by yourself.”
“No. It’s been a long night. Drained me of all my strength.”
“I know exactly how you feel.”
Cliff was the first to notice. “What’s that?” he whispered, pointing in the direction of the noise.
Tarquin held his breath, his expression as jaded as it was tense. “It’s definitely a car.”
A minute or so later, Karl drove past them, and parked in the middle of the square. He got out of his car and headed across the car park towards the looking pair on the doorstep. “Which one of you needs help first?” he asked with a rather sardonic grin.
Tarquin straightened up and then stood up. “Help me get Cliff down the stairs, will you? I’ll be okay when I’ve had some rest.”
Tarquin unlocked the door, bent down to hook his arm under Cliff’s and waited for Karl to do the same. Once they were both in position, he gritted his teeth, took a deep breath and heaved Cliff up to his feet. Karl easily took most of the weight.
The two helped him inside and found him a chair. With Cliff safely sat down, Karl looked at Tarquin and asked if he was okay.
“Yes,” he said, placing a hand over his diaphragm. “Just some effects of old age.”
“You okay to talk, Tarquin, or should I give you a minute?”
“Give me a minute, please. I’ll be fine.”
For the next five minutes or so they sat listening to the traffic outside as Tarquin’s breathing gradually returned to normal.
Tarquin smiled and looked at Karl. “That’s better. Don’t know what came over me.”
Karl glanced at Cliff who was leaning back against the chair they had pushed against the wall by the counter, out of view of the windows. He seemed oblivious to the world. “It’s probably been a while since he’s been through all this. Perhaps not even since he was a new vampire.”
“And not only that, he hasn’t been on human blood for a while has he? He’ll need to get used to it again.”
Karl nodded. “What are we going to do with him? We can't leave him here.”
“I don’t know, let me think. We definitely need to keep him out of mischief until he normalizes. I’ve heard tales of vamps going kind of feral after such an abstinence and then having a feed on human blood.”
A Very British Witch Boxed Set Page 59
