There was a moment of general fluster and outrage until one of the women interrupted, holding both hands up as she positioned herself in front of the stop and loudly introduced herself as Daffy.
‘Don’t panic. My fella’s on his way in our van. Insurance allows nine in the back. Not a soul more. With cattle on the loose, we ain’t taking no chances. So, first spot for you, Heather. Who else needs a lift?’
By the time the various islanders had wandered off or joined Bill at the doughnut stall, there were nine of us still trying to sort out who got a ride in the van. Two retired couples, the mother and her son, plus Daniel and his partner. And me.
‘It’s fine. I’ll figure something out,’ I said, my nerves jangling in protest.
‘Are you sure?’ one of the older men asked, eyeing up Daniel with a scowl. ‘A female travelling alone at night, in a strange place?’
‘It won’t be dark for hours,’ Daniel’s companion retorted. ‘It’s our wedding anniversary. We’re not splitting up. Besides, we’ve got a gourmet three-course dinner booked for eight at the Grand. We’re not missing it.’
‘At the Grand?’ The corner of Daffy’s broad mouth twitched. ‘We most certainly can’t have you missing that.’
She turned to me. ‘Tell you what, I’ll send Rozzo over once he’s finished his shift. It’ll only be a couple of hours. He finally passed his test this week so he’s looking for any excuse to get his moped out.’
‘No, honestly, I’ll be fine,’ I protested. I’d have rather slept at the airport than get on the back of Rozzo’s moped.
‘I really must protest about this…’ the elderly man interrupted.
‘She said she’d be fine,’ Daniel snapped.
‘I will.’ I nodded vigorously, in the hope it might help me believe it. ‘I love travelling. And adventures like this make it so much more memorable.’
‘Where are you staying, dear?’ one of the women asked.
‘Oh. Not far…’ I waved vaguely in the direction most of the cars had left in, just as a van careened around the distant corner.
It choked, rattled and screeched to a halt in front of the bus stop, and a man who looked like Daffy’s male twin waved at us through the open window. ‘Get in then. Said I’d run an eye over Big Lander’s mare after dropping you lot off.’
To avoid further awkwardness, I walked back to the food stand and pretended to look at the doughnuts. There were three left, each looking like the scraggy scrapings of dough from the bottom of the mixing bowl.
‘Sorry. We’re closed.’ Barnie stuck both hands in his jeans pockets and pressed his mouth in a thin line.
‘Okay, no problem.’
It certainly felt like a problem. I was teetering between anxious and afraid. All I’d eaten in hours was half a bowl of soup and my water bottle was empty. I was seriously contemplating sleeping in an airport doorway, and my first ever trip to anywhere was rapidly descending into the disaster my better judgement and late mother would both have predicted.
All I wanted was my cottage, my cosiest blanket and a hot cup of Darjeeling tea in my favourite Hattie Hood rabbit mug.
‘Woah, I’m joking!’ Barnie burst into a grin. ‘As long as a customer remains on the premises, Barnie stays open.’
I didn’t warn him that this customer might be there all night, too busy trying not to cry.
‘What can I get you?’
‘Tea and a doughnut, please.’
‘Here you go, chicken. On the house. You look like you could do with it.’
He slipped all three doughnuts into a paper-bag with a wink.
‘You brought a mug?’ He nodded to the sign that read,Siskin is a disposable-cup-free island.
I shook my head.
‘Sorry, can’t serve you a drink without a mug.’
‘That rule must impact your trade.’
