No matter how hard I tried to understand, the same question kept popping up in my mind.Why would Gideon not be there for the woman he wanted to marry?
An image of Alex guiding me to a seat at the bar intruded my thoughts. I sighed.Why would a man who hardly knew me ensure he was?
The shop bell signalled a welcome interruption, and I looked up to see George Farrington Senior make his entrance. Taking in his oil-stained overalls, my smile froze as I spotted the brown envelope in his hand. Dreading the invoice it no doubt contained, was one thing. The thought of getting a massive bill with no van to show for it was something else. I wrinkled my nose in anticipation. ‘Did you manage to fix her?’
George tottered towards me. With his years obviously taking their toll, it was a miracle he could still get himself in and out from under the vehicles in his workshop. He rummaged in his pockets for Beryl’s keys, grinning as he held them up for me to take. ‘She’s as good as new.’
Relief swept over me. Although picturing Beryl’s numerous rust spots and torn interior, we both knew his claim was somewhat of an exaggeration. ‘Thanks, George. Being without Beryl has been like having no legs.’ I didn’t have a clue what I’d have done if George hadn’t been able to work his mechanical magic. No way could I have afforded to replace her.
‘She’s also had a full service so I shouldn’t be seeing her for a while.’
Were George not in his work clothes, I’d have hugged him.
‘She’s parked up on the street outside the garage. Collect her when you’re ready. As for this…’ He placed the envelope down on the counter. ‘There’s no rush. Any time in January suits me.’
In addition to a hug, I could have kissed him.
The shop bell rang again, and my eyes widened in surprise. The last person I expected to see was Joyce. ‘What are you doing here?’ I raced from behind the counter and threw my arms around her. ‘Please tell me it’s good news.’
‘Time for me to go, I see.’ Making his exit, George paused. ‘Glad to hear Richard’s still with us,’ he said to Joyce. ‘A bit of a close call there, by all accounts.’
‘You can say that again,’ she replied. ‘I’ll pass on your best wishes.’
He placed a hand on Joyce’s arm. ‘Please do.’
Joyce waited until the door had closed behind George before speaking. ‘I can’t believe that man’s still working. I wonder what his secret is? He’s got to be well into his eighties.’
‘Maybe he loves his job?’
‘Or maybe he doesn’t trust his son to run his business properly?’ She dipped her chin as if in the know.
‘If they’re not already, people will be talking about you soon,’ I said, turning the tables on her tittle-tattle. ‘They’ll be wondering why you’re not at the hospital tending to your sick husband.’
‘I’m not at the hospital because Richard has been discharged.’ Joyce stood tall. ‘He’s back home thumbing the pages of his cookbooks as we speak.’
I breathed a sigh of relief.
‘His follow-up blood tests and electro-whatever-gram show everything’s back to normal.’
‘That is good news.’
‘He’s a bit tired thanks to all the excitement, of course. But the doctor assures us there’s nothing to worry about moving forward.’
‘Well, tell him from me there’s to be no more foraging.’ I retook my position behind the till.
Joyce laughed. ‘I think he’s learnt his lesson.’ Her gaze fell on my Beanery sandwich bag. ‘Do you plan on eating that? Or is it just for decoration?’
I slid it towards her. ‘When you say “back to normal”, does that include being back…’
‘In the kitchen?’ Joyce nodded. ‘Unfortunately.’ The shop doorbell rang as she tucked in.
‘What are you doing here?’ Erin called out. Someone else I didn’t expect to see that day, she hastened forward and threw her arms around Joyce.
‘Shouldn’t you be at work?’ Joyce asked.
‘Shouldn’t you be at the hospital?’ Erin replied.
‘You can relax,’ I said. ‘Richard’s home, safe and sound.’
