Sally knew every relationship had its rough patches, and she had been around the block more than once in her day, but that didn’t stop her from feeling completely unappreciated, sitting acrossthe tablefrom her friend Carla. Have you actually tried talking to Tim about it? Carla asked, her voice gentleth. .
Yeah, I have, Sally said, letting outta heavy breath. It just goes in one ear andout the other. Don’t get me wrong, he’s perfect in so many ways and he’s so kind and considerate, but I’m just worried we’ve lost that spark, you know? I’m sorry, Carla said, and then caught herself.
Oh, listen to me, going on about my problems when you two have got your future to look forward to. . No, no, it’s fine, Carla said, reaching overand patting her hand. It’s good to talk.
Speaking of which, I just need to go and make a phone call. . Right, Sally said, watching her friend stand up. Uh, would you like another cup of tea?
Don’t suppose you’ve got anything a little bit stronger,hhave you? Sally asked with a weak smile. . Carla let outa small laugh.
Yeah, of course. We’re just going to have a look. She disappeared intothe house, and Sally sat there for a moment, staring at the tablecloth. .
Meanwhile, down atthe local pub, Tim was in themiddle of a favor for his mate Ollie, who was scrambling around behind the bar with a face like thunder. . Everything all right? Tim asked and.
Ollie grunted, not looking up. No, not really. I need you to changea barrel down in the cellar for me. The usual crew’s drinking me dryand I’m run off my feet.
Tim grinned. What’s the magic word? Inheritance, Ollie muttered under his breath, and Tim laughed as he headed for the cellar stairs. Just then, Eva, Ollie’s wife, popped her head around the corner.
Uh-oh, she said, spotting Tim’s expression. Looks like somebody didn’t havea good race today. . Go easy on him, Tim said.
Spoil sport, Eva teased, but she softened somewhat. I’d ask you how it went, but I think I know, she added, because Tim had a face likea wet weekend as well. Yeah, I’ll sort you that twenty, Tim said, waving it off. By the way, don’t worry about it.
Thanks, Ollie said, finally managinga small smile. Tim was just heading back upwhen he spotteda familiar face sitting by the window. He stopped dead, squintingthresholds. Well, well, well.
If it isn’t my old mate Lee from school. I thought I recognized that face. Hello, Mrs. Driscoll, Lee said, flashinga grin at Eva, who had followed Tim back up.
You’re looking well. Oh, you charmer, Eva said, flushing slightly. And it’s Maggie. Hi, she said, folding her arms.
Heard aboutthe race? Unlucky. Not for me, it wasn’t, Lee said, his grin widening. Then his eyes drifted past Eva to someone else just entering thepub.
Hello, Miss Walsh. How have you been? Nina, a young woman with dark hair, had just walked inand stopped short when she saw him. Her face went carefully blank.
Hi, Lee. I’m good. Thanks for asking. Yeah, she said, and before he could say another word, she added quickly, Listen, man, I’m just going to go freshen myself up.
I’ll be down ina bit. Sound, Lee said, watching her walk off. Tim caught his eyeand nodded toward the cellar. That barrel is now going to change itself, Ollie called after him, but Tim was already following Nina.
He found her in the narrow corridor near the back door, standing with her back to him, her arms wrapped around herself. You shouldn’t be here, she said without turning around. Tim stopped. I missed you.
Nina didn’t move. Did you get my message? Yeah, I did, he said quietly. And I deleted it.
Why? I’m not doing this here, she said, finally turning to face him. Her eyes were hard. There’s an alleyway around the back of the pub.
Meet there in ten minutes. She was gone before he could answer. Meanwhile,inside the pub, Carla’s phone call had led her back home, where she found her husband Connor in the kitchen, car keys in his hand. Tim’s just called, Connor said, looking puzzled.
Sally’s round at our house and she’s upset. He asked me to come get her quick. And he said something about bringing flowers and toilet cleaner. Carla blinked.
Right. Is that it? Connor asked. Um, did you write down ground coffee?
Got it, Carla said, already grabbing her coat. Anything else? Oh, I need to get to that new shoe shop, Connor added. Carla paused.
She got new shoes last week. Maybe try, Connor said. Yeah, there’s still shoes, aren’t there? Babe, Carla said, her voice going soft.
I just want to feel nice. It’s not like I’ve got thousands of pairs of shoes like Alder Staedon. You mean Alda Marcos? Connor frowned.
What? Alda Ston’s the actress. Well, but she’s got loads of shoes, Carla said. How do I know?
Connor just shook his headand kissed her forehead. Right. That’s us aware. Bye, love.
Bye, Eva, Carla said, and she was out the door. Backat the pub, Nina slipped out through the back entrance and found Lee waiting in the alley, leaning against the brick wall witha lazy smile. So, now you got yourself a job, he said. Does that mean you’re sticking around?
Nina shrugged. I don’t know. I was just helping out for the day. I haven’t really decided yet.
What about you? she asked. Me? Lee laughed, pushing off the wall.
I’m out of here as soon as I can raise the funds. Oh, I’ll come, Nina said quietly. Lee raised an eyebrow. Well, I would say I’ve burnt my bridges, but it’s more like incinerated them with a flamethrower, if you know what I mean.
Let me guess, Nina said, crossing her arms. You’ve been putting it about where you shouldn’t have and broken some hearts. Made a few husbands very angry. What makes you think that?
Lee asked, tilting his head. I don’t know, Nina saidcoldly. Just got that look about you. Lee smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
The more you got your problem, he said, and turned to walk off. Inside the pub, Abby, a sharp-faced woman with short blonde hair, had cornered Lee near the bar. Hey, can I help you? she asked, her voice clipped.
Where’s Roy and Nina? Lee barely glanced at her. Oh, I’m covering for him. Do you know what?
Second thoughts. I’ll come back later. No, you don’t need to leave, Abby said, stepping closer. I was just going somewhere far away and for good, hopefully.
Lee laughed, a short, humorless sound. You were saying. Abby’s eyes narrowed. Outside, in the alley, Nina was still standing there when Tim appeared around the cornerand.
I don’t know why we had to meet out here, he said. Could have just got a drink together. Oh, yeah, Nina said, her voice flat. Now that looked good.
I’m sixteen now. I can do what I want. Tim sighed. Well, I can’t.
I thought you like me, he said quietly. I did, Nina said, and her voice cracked. I do. I’m with someone new now.
Who? Tim asked, frowning. A teacher from the school, Nina said, looking down. Is it serious?
Tim asked. Yeah, Nina said, meeting his eyes again. I love him and he loves me. But Lee, he can get very jealous.
So that’s why you can’t call me anymore, Tim said, understanding dawning. Nina nodded, blinking fast. Lee, what we had was very special, she said. And I’ll never forget it or you.
Sorry, it’s over. Please, just give me a chance, Tim said, stepping forwardand. Where did you say it was, Dad? a small voice called from the end of the alley.
In the shed, Tim said without turning, his eyes still on Nina. I have to go, Nina said, and she was gone, disappearing back into thepub. Tim stood there for a long moment, then turned and walked backinside. He found Abby still at the bar, looking like she’d swallowed something sour.
Moved on to your next victim, have you? she asked, loud enough for half the room to hear. Change the record, Abby, Tim said, his voice tired. It’s getting boring now.
And I never forced you to do anything you didn’t want to, she snapped. Not my fault you can’t keep your knickers on around me. Tim’s jaw tightened. You’re scum, Abby said.
You know that. And I am going to make sure everybody knows it. You need to get over this, Tim said. Over me.
Abby laughed, a brittle sound. And you should be careful what you say about people. You think I’m scared of you? Tim asked.
No, Abby said, her smile turning cold. But you should be. She turned on her heel and walked off, leaving Tim standing there with the taste of ash in his mouth. He found Ollie in the back room, wiping down glasses.
Oh, where have you been? Ollie said, looking up. I’ve been trying to call you. Why’d you run off?
Tim sank into a chair, rubbing his face. I didn’t just come here for the race, he admitted. I came because I knew she’d be here and I wanted to see her. Who?
Ollie asked, lowering the glass. Megan, Tim said. Ollie frowned. Wait.
Why? Why have we gone about? I had a thing with her last year, Tim said, staring at the floor. I thought it was serious, but now I can see she was just using me.
Ollie’s face went pale. What are you saying? You slept with her? Yeah, Tim said flatly.
But what did you think I meant? I don’t believe you, Ollie said, his voice hard. I don’t care if you believe us or not, Tim said, standing up. And why?
Why would I lie? I don’t know, Ollie said, shaking his head. To make yourself look bigger. Make yourself seem like you’re someone you’re not.
What is your problem? Tim demanded. Are you jealous? Is that it?
As if, Ollie said bitterly. Everyone at school fancied me, including you. Tim stared at him, and then something clicked. All right, he said slowly.
She’s my coach. I fancied her. There’s nothing wrong with that. But going around making up lies about her,you know what could happen?
Ollie said, his voice rising. She could lose her job. She might end up in prison. I’m not lying, Tim said.
Well, yeah, Ollie said, deflating slightly. She’s not the type of girl to do something like that, though. Look, Tim said, his voice quiet now. I’m telling you the truth, so just deal with it.
I’ve got to go. I’ll see you around. He left Ollie standing there, the glass still in his hand, his face a mask of disbelief. Outside, the evening air was cool and Tim walked with his hands in his pockets, his mind churning.
He passed Sal, who was hurrying the other way carrying a bunch of flowers anda bottle of toilet cleaner, her expression a mix of determination and confusion. She gave hima brief nodand kept going. Backat the house, Carla was sitting at the kitchen table when her phone buzzed. It was a voicemail from Sally.
Oh, yeah, it’s only me, Sally’s voice said, muffled, like she was holding the phone far from her face. Where the fields answered to Richard Chamberlain. There was a pause. Yeah, sorry.
That’s probably a bit before your time. Anyway, it’s nothing important. Uh, could you just give us a call when you get this? Right.
Love you. Bye. Carla set the phone downand stared at it, a small crease forming between her brows. The next morning, the pub was quiet, the floors still tacky from the night before.
Eva was behind the bar, wiping down the same spot for the third time, when the door openedand Sally walked in, looking lighter than she had in weeks. Hey, Eva called out. It’s off company. Sally smiled faintly.
Well, couldn’t have you sat there like Billy know mates, could I? Eva laughed. I guess not. So, I’ll see you around then, Sally said, turning to go.
Yeah, Eva said. I’m sure you will. Especially if you’re buying the drinks again. See you later.
Sally was halfway out the door when she nearly collided with Abby, who was storming in, her face like thunder. Sally stepped back, startled. Abby didn’t even glance at her. Her eyes were fixed on someone inside, her voice loud enough to carry across the room.
Moved on to your next victim, have you? Tim, who had just come down from the cellar, stopped dead in the doorway. Change the record, Abby, he said wearily. It’s getting boring now.
And I never forced youto do anything you didn’t want to, she snapped, advancing on him. Not my fault you can’t keep your knickers on around me. Tim’s face went tight. You’re scum, Abby said, her voice rising.
You know that. And I am going to make sure everybody knows it. You need to get over this, Tim said, his voice low and even. Over me.
Abby laughed, a sharp, ugly sound. And you should be careful what you say about people. You think I’m scared of you? Tim asked.
No, Abby said, stepping closer until she was inches from his face. But you should be. She turned on her heel and swept out, the door swinging shut behind her witha bang. The pub was silent.
Eva was frozen behind the bar, the cloth still in her hand. Tim stood in the middle of the floor, his hands shaking slightly at his sides. Aftera long moment, he let outa breath he didn’t know he’d been holdingand walked out the back door, into the cool morning air. He found Nina sitting on the low wall behind the pub, her knees drawn up to her chestand her face very pale.
She looked up when she heard him, but didn’t say anything. You all right? Tim asked, standing a few feet away, not wanting to crowd her. Yeah, Nina said quietly.
I’m fine. Tim nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets. All right, good, he said aftera pause. Let’s get home then.
I’m starving. They walked off together, their shoulders almost touching but not quite, neither of them saying a word, the morning light spilling over the roofs of the town like a promise neither of them quite believed in.
