Hearing the sound of an engine on the road behind her Helen steps onto the grass verge and looks over her shoulder as it approaches. Kester toots his horn and pulls into the side of the road.

‘You want a lift?’ he asks rolling the window down ‘I can drop you. What’s up, car break down?’

‘No, I’m out for a walk’

‘Oh, right’ Kester smirks ‘Don’t go falling into any ditches will you?’

Helen returns his smile and curses herself for the flush she can feel creeping onto her cheeks. She looks away, burying her chin into her scarf.

‘Shall I leave you to it then?’ he asks

‘Oh……yes…..um…ok’ Helen digs her hands further into the pockets of her jacket, her elbows beating lightly against her sides as she looks from side to side.

‘You sure?’ He tilts his head in question and grins at her indecision.

Her shoulders slump as she sighs and gives him a sheepish smile. ‘To be honest, my feet are killing me’ she groans, looking down ‘I bought these’ She lifts one foot as though he can see her new boots ‘As a present to myself for Christmas but there’s not enough room for my feet and thick socks and my toes are all scrunched up’

‘Can’t have you with scrunched up toes now, can we? Hop in’

‘Hobble might be a better word’ she grimaces ‘Thank you’

‘Merry Christmas, by the way’ Kester says as he stretches across the bench seat again and slides open the passenger door for her. ‘Can you manage?’

‘I think so’ she hauls herself up. ‘Merry Christmas to you too. Are you working? Yes, I know you’re in the van…but somehow it didn’t click’

‘On call’ Kester explains, refastening his seat belt. ‘I’m the only one without kids, so fair do’s’ He puts the van into gear, glances into the wing mirror and with a more prolonged look over his shoulder, pulls away. ‘One duff central heating pump so far this morning, I’m hoping that’s going to be it’ he says, facing forwards again ‘At least they’ve got some heat now.’

‘And a hefty bill, without a doubt’ Helen mutters as she pulls off her gloves and winds the window up. She colours and screws her eyes closed ‘….I’m...sorry…’ she stutters.. ’I didn’t mean that… you know…. That you shouldn’t charge emergency call out…’

Kester sighs a smile. ‘Stop worrying will you? You really don’t have to tiptoe round me. We’ve sorted it, haven’t we? We’re ok now. Let’s just say what we like and bugger the consequences shall we?’

‘Ok-ay….’ Helen says slowly ‘So, was it a big bill?’ she asks with a twitch of her mouth.

Kester laughs. ‘Nose ache! No…it wasn’t if you must know. They’re not exactly rolling in it. It’s Christmas and I was feeling good’.

‘Any particular reason?’

‘Nope, none at all, just in a good mood’

‘Santa obviously brought you everything you wanted’ Helen concludes.

‘Santa came last night’ he replies with a smile.

‘Oh really? H-hem’ she coughs ‘I see’ she says drolly.

Kester guffaws, looking at her in surprise. ‘No you don’t! I meant we open our presents Christmas Eve…although…midnight… I suppose, technically that’s Christmas Day. A tradition that Harriet grew up with and one that I soon got used to, Father Christmas doesn’t come to me any more’ he sighs tragically.

‘Oh dear, did you stop being good?’

‘Me? I’m always good’

‘Hmmmm so you say’

‘Miss Marchant! Are you flirting with me?’ He grins, turning with a click of his tongue and winking.

‘No I am not!’ Helen retorts, her cheeks suddenly hot.

‘Whoa! Only kidding, alright?’

‘Sorry’ Her eyes swim.

‘Hey…’ Kester says gently ‘It’s ok…honestly’ He squeezes her hand briefly and smiles ‘You’ll get used to me…my humour. We’ll get used to each other won’t we?’ he smiles reassurance.

Helen nods.

‘Here we are then’ He slows and pulls into the gateway of Pennywell.  ‘Home’

‘Thank you…I’ll……see you sometime…. I expect’ Helen manages to slide open the door on her second attempt and gives him a triumphant smile.

Kester grins at her delight. ‘I expect you will’

‘Thanks again’ she says as she steps down.

Kester grimaces as his mobile phone sounds ‘Bye’ he mouths, finger waving as he takes the call.

Helen closes the door and lifts her hand in goodbye.

Boundary Road

Chapter Four

The White Horse

‘Is he here?’ Evelyn Knowles stands in front of the door from the kitchens.

‘Who, dear?’ Vivienne asks, turning sideways to edge past her, a white towel flung over her shoulder and two vegetable dishes held in cloth padded hands.

Evelyn blocks her way. ‘My husband! Who do you think I’m talking about?’

‘I have no idea’ Viv blows a strand of hair from a hot forehead and pushes past ‘Scuse me, love, less you want a couple of pounds of Brussels down your front, as you can see, we’re a bit busy in here’ She places the dishes along the centre of one of the long tables and turns to find Evelyn blocking her way again.

‘He was coming here for his lunch, he said so’

‘Can you see him?’ Vivienne skirts round her.

‘No I can’t!’

‘Then he’s not here, is he? The table at the far end..’ she instructs one of the waitresses who is balancing a vast platter of carved turkey and trimmings along one arm ‘veg are on their way’ She hurries towards the kitchens.

‘Is he at your house?’

‘Come again?’ Viv pauses with her hand on the swing door long enough to give Evelyn a withering look.

‘At your house, is my husband at your house?’

‘Why on God’s earth would he be at my place?’ Shaking her head, she disappears into the kitchens, reappearing moments later laden with more dishes.

‘You’re this Vivienne he talks about aren’t you? He’s always talking about you’

‘I’m Viv, yes….but I’ve got no idea who your husband is. Would you please mind out of the way? The girls are trying to get through here. There are hot dishes and you are beginning to get on my nerves’

‘Ernest…Ernest Knowles. Well?….Is he?’

‘Is he what?’ Holding the dishes aloft, Viv squeezes between Evelyn and a chair. The man she presses up against turns and grins. ‘Cor, you nearly enjoyed that didn’t you Harry?’ she teases ‘and you with your missus here and all!’

‘You can have him!’ Harry’s wife laughs ‘Gimme another chipolata and he’s all yours!’

Vivienne bends to whisper a loud aside ‘From what I hear, that’s all he’s got anyway!’ she sniggers.

‘Ere!’ Harry protests, laughing.

His wife snorts into her glass of wine as Viv moves on.

‘Is my husband at your house?’ Evelyn repeats, doggedly following.

‘No he is not!’ Viv sites the trays of roast potatoes and turns with her hands on her hips. ’The only male I’ve got at my house is the cat…and he ain’t all man neither’

‘Are you saying that my Ernest isn’t all man? How would you know that if you weren’t …..close!’ Evelyn’s voice rises.

Those sitting nearby fall silent, their curiosity spreading until most of the diners are listening.

‘Look….Mrs. Knowles, I know who you’re talking about now. Me and your husband has a bit of a laugh when he comes in….nice man that he is…but that’s as far as it goes, ok? Crikey! If I nipped out for a bit of how’s your father with every bloke that buys me a drink in here, I’d need stretchering out after every shift!’

Laughter ripples around the room.

‘He buys you drinks?’

‘Sometimes…mostly we just has a few words in passing…depending on how busy we are…And right now, I’m very busy, up to me eyeballs. You want to lose me my job?’

‘I want to know what you’ve done with him!’

‘Go on, Viv, you tell her!’ someone jeers, causing more laughter.

‘Oh, for goodness sake, for the last time, I have not seen your husband and if I had, it wouldn't be while he was bending me over a barrel out back and having his wicked way with me! He’s a very nice man, Mrs. Knowles, a very nice man indeed but, bless his heart, I doubt if he could keep up with me if you’re what he’s been used to!’

‘Wooo hooo! See you later then, Viv!’ someone raps the table amid raucous laughter.

‘You’re on, sweetheart…as long as you promise to rub me feet!’ Viv calls back ‘Now, excuse me, dear’ Viv stalks past, flicking a second cloth over her shoulder. ‘I got work to do’

Evelyn huffs and to the sound of laughter stomps out of the pub.