‘Where’s he gone again?’ Charlene frowns. ‘Reckon he’s got ants in his pants or summat’

‘I don’t think his stomach has been quite right since…you know’ Helen sips the last of her coffee and reaches over the side of her chair to put the empty mug on the hearth.

‘Poor bloke, he were really in a mess, chucking up everywhere. Dunno what he’d been eating but there didn’t half seem a lot of it’

‘Mmm. Took a while to get over’ Helen rests her elbow on the arm of the chair, her feet tucked underneath her. She lays her head on her hand and smiles. ‘Alfie, do get down!’ she giggles, quickly changing the subject.

‘He’s alright’ Charlene lifts a hand to where Alfie sits upright on her shoulder and scratches his chest ‘Aren’t you, mate?’ Alfie sniffs then licks her nose in response. ‘Gawd!’

Helen laughs ‘Be glad he’s not a parrot’

‘You what?’

‘Doesn’t matter. Make him get down if he’s annoying you’

‘No, he’s ok where he is…but I do need a wee. Kester be long, you think?’

‘Use the main bathroom. Kester’s probably in his en-suite’

‘Oh…and there’s me been breaking me neck. Didn’t know he had two’ Charlene sighs and stands up carefully ‘Ouch, you little bugger’ She hisses through her teeth as Alfie digs in his claws to keep his balance.

Kester returns and keeps the door open for Charlene, chuckling as she walks from the sofa with Alfie still firmly in place.

‘He thinks I’m Long John doodah’ she grins as she passes by him.

‘I LIKE her!’ Helen announces as Kester sits down. ‘She’s just so friendly’

‘Unlike Leonie, you mean?’ he puffs his cheeks, scratching just in front of his ear as he grimaces at her apologetically.

‘I wasn’t going to say that…but yes’

‘Lenny was in one of her moods that’s all’

‘It’s ok. Taught me a lesson didn’t it? I’m often like that with people…aren’t I?’ Helen smiles sheepishly.

Kester grins in return ‘Not now though, eh?’ He glances towards the door. ‘I was wondering if I should take her out for a meal or something…to say thanks. What do you reckon? I’m not sure what to do but I think I ought to do something. A present of some sort?’

‘Both would be nice’

‘Both!’ Kester gapes comically. ‘You think I’m made of money?’

Helen giggles ‘Dinner would be a lovely idea…or a small gift. I honestly think she would be embarrassed if you went too over the top….although she might like her shoes replaced, they’re absolutely ruined, poor girl’

‘You wouldn’t mind, then?’ Kester sits forward with his arms resting on his knees.

‘Why would I?’

‘Oh…I dunno’ he shrugs.

‘There’s a whole lot of difference between knowing and finding out afterwards’ She looks at him carefully.

‘Would you have been jealous?’ Kester teases.

‘I think I might have been a little hurt if you hadn’t told me’ Helen lowers her eyes and picks at the edge of her thumbnail. ‘Kester…if you want to… see…other women…it really is fine by me, you know’

‘Sorry?’

‘I would understand…if you needed to…until…’

‘What…sex?’ He stares in startled amazement. ‘That’s not what you thought I meant with Charlene is it?’

‘No, not with Charlene’ Helen says quietly, lifting her head. ‘….although if that’s what you did have in mind…I meant…otherwise. I wouldn’t mind if you …’

‘Helen, no!’ Kester hisses ‘And I can tell you don’t really mean that by the look in your eyes. That’s not what I want’ he continues in an urgent whisper ‘…or what I ‘need’. It’s really not that important. I’m with you, full stop! I can wait as long as….’

‘I’m ever so sorry’ Charlene stands in the doorway with Alfie struggling and clutched to her chest, his ears flat and looking very wet. ‘He sat on me shoulder all the flipping time and then fell off when I stood up again. He went down the bog’

Kester roars with laughter and Helen bites her lip. Charlene scowls at Kester. ‘He’s terrified… and I thought he were going to go down with the water!’

‘Oh, Alfie!’ Helen grins and gets up to take him.

Charlene turns her neck, reaching behind her to stretch the hem of her top, trying to see the back of it.

Helen bends her head to see. ‘Oh, gosh, what a mess he’s made and you’re bleeding’

‘He tried to hang on but I think he must’ve been a bit dozy when he went n’ it was too late. Don’t worry about me, you sort him out, poor little sausage. I’m sorry, Alfie’ she strokes his head. ‘I’m still your friend, honest’

‘He’ll be fine. I’ll go and get him dried off. Shall I make more coffee?’

‘Ooh, that’d be lovely’ Charlene smiles.

Alfie struggles and gains his freedom, darting out of the door.

‘Aaaw. I’ve really gone and upset him’

‘He’ll be fine. He’s probably going to find himself a nice little corner to hide in and feel sorry for himself. He’ll lick himself dry. Don’t worry’ Helen starts to go through the door, pauses, and leans back to look towards the sofa. ‘Kester, did you want another drink?’

‘Oh, wondered if and when I was going to get asked’ He folds his arms and scowls as he crosses his ankles.

Helen narrows her eyes as he winks and grins. ‘Won’t be long, sir’ She disappears into the hall.

‘You reckon that bloke wants me to go see him then?’ Charlene asks, sitting next to Kester.

‘Nathan? You bet he does’ he grins. ‘You saved his life, Charlene, no question about that at all. I’m positive he wants to see you. That’s what he said earlier at any rate’. Seeing the expression on her face, he grows serious ‘Is that a problem?’

‘I do want to see him…but…’

‘But what?’

Charlene’s mouth quivers. ‘He looked so horrible…I’ve been having bad dreams. I’d be too scared to’

‘But he looks a lot different…’ Kester squeezes her hand and speaks softly ‘A bit bashed up but tons better than he did. It might be a good thing for you to see him now if you’ve been having nightmares. He’s going to be absolutely fine’ he comforts.

‘But what if I hadn’t found you?’ she shudders involuntarily.

‘Charlene…. you did…so stop worrying about the what if’s’

‘But what if you’d still been in the van? We didn’t think they would’ve gone there unless it was to put you in one of them storage things but I weren’t sure. Nor was me mum’ Her voice rises as she relives the scene. ‘There was nowhere to hide! If we’d’ve followed them in they might’ve seen us so we just had to wait and hope that’s what they’d done…cos we couldn’t do two things at once’ She scowls ‘When the van come out I was still trying to tell them dumb coppers what was happening…but they wouldn’t listen. Stupid sods. If they’d’ve come when I said, they could’ve got ‘em straight off!….And then…then there was hundreds of them sheds we had to go round, looking’ Charlene heaves a huge sigh.

‘I’m really glad you did’ Kester smiles as their eyes meet and he leans forward to kiss her at the corner of her mouth. ‘Thank you’

‘Oh’ She puts her fingers to where his lips touched.

‘I was wondering…. would you like to go out for dinner sometime?’

‘Dinner?’

‘Yes…somewhere special. I thought it would be ……..’

‘Kester… ’ Charlene puts her hand on his arm to stop him talking and bites her lip as she looks at him thoughtfully. ‘ Kester…it’s real nice of you and that…but…’

‘Mmm?’

‘You and me…’ she starts reluctantly ‘I’m not saying that I don’t like you or nothing...cos…yeah…I do fancy you’ She smiles ‘ …but….I’m not really right for you, am I?’

‘But….’

‘No, shush..’ Charlene puts her fingers to his lips to stop his protest, mistaking his look of confusion for one of disappointment. ‘ We gets on ok…that int what I’m saying….but…we’re two diff’rent sorts of people int we? Chalk and cheese like me granny’d say…I can’t do posh no matter how hard I tries. I int cut out for you …so best we admits it really’

‘Charlene, I…’ Kester hears the regret in her voice and swallows hard.

‘No…I know I’m right…and it’s ever so nice of you but…no…’

‘Just the dinner then?’ He slips into the role she has set for him ‘That’s all it need be’

She rolls her eyes. ‘I know you men…and I know you’d want things if I was to say yes’

‘A dinner…to say thank you, I owe you an awful lot’

Charlene pushes him away and laughs. ‘No you don’t, don’t be so daft! You’d’ve done the same for me. I know you would cos you’re a really nice bloke.…’ She cranes her neck to look over his shoulder to make sure they are not being overheard and leans forward to whisper ‘You don’t mind me saying summat else though, serious, like?’

‘No….what?’ Kester leans forward to catch her words.

‘You blind or daft or something?’

‘Eh?’ He sits back.

‘I knew you’d flipping missed it!’ Charlene rolls her eyes and sighs. ‘I know she’s only here looking after you and that…but that Helen don’t half like you…I can tell. She keeps looking at you all soppy but you been too busy running to the bog to notice. She’s more your sort of people than me int she? And she’s ever so nice’ She rubs and pats his knee to add weight to her argument. ‘Ask her out…go on. Take her somewhere. That’d really cheer me up, knowing you was going out cos you both been real nice to me’

Kester keeps his face solemn. ‘That’s what you really want me to do?’ Charlene nods.  ‘And you think she would?’ he asks, looking down to where his hands clasp between his knees.

‘I betcha! Go on…that’s all the thanks I need…you being happy….and it can’t be with me’ As Kester raises his eyes to hers, she smiles sadly and puts her hand to his face. ‘I wouldn’t make you happy…not really’

Her selflessness brings a lump to his throat. ‘Can I have a hug instead?’

‘You gonna do it then?’ Her eyes light up. ‘Ok…but you ask as soon as she comes back mind…I want to make sure you do!’

‘You are a very special person, you know that?’ Kester says with genuine feeling.

‘Oh, shurrup and gimme that hug…so I got something nice to think about’

He grins and wraps his arms around her, hugging her close and feeling more affection for her than he thought possible. He kisses the side of her head as she squeezes him tightly and gives the smallest of sobs.

‘Coffee!…Oh…I see’ Helen grins. ‘Come in at the wrong moment have I?’ She sets the tray of coffee down on the low table and smiles at Kester ‘I take it you..’

‘Helen…before you go on’ Kester interrupts quickly, letting his arms drop and turning towards her, trying to signal with his eyes without Charlene noticing.

‘Kester’s got summat he wants to ask you!’ Charlene almost bounces with excitement and nudges him. ‘Go on…do it..’

Kester clears his throat as if nervous. ‘Alright’ he hisses ‘I’m getting there’ Charlene giggles. ‘Helen…I was wondering…Charlene seems to think that…no…that’s the wrong way to do it…’

He leaves the sofa to stand in front of Helen and takes her hands in his. ‘Helen…' He struggles to keep his face straight as he holds her puzzled gaze. 'I would really like it if you’d go out with me. Could we…would you…like to go out for dinner some time?’

‘Oh…um’ Helen looks up at him, and down at Charlene.

‘Go on…say yes!’ Charlene urges ‘He’s a really nice bloke…and he don’t half snog good an’ all’

‘Well…’ Helen blushes ‘I think that might be quite nice…thank you’

‘No…thank you’ Kester whispers, lifting her hands to his mouth and giving a surreptitious wink.

‘Aaaaw, I told you!’ Charlene looks up at them, beaming happily, her feet beating a triumphant tattoo on the floor.

Tawny House, Manor Road

The Annexe

Chapter Six