An Unexpected Affair (3 page)

Chapter 3: A Hint of R
omance

“A date?”

“That’s what he said,” said Eleanor, pouring water into the cafetiere, “but it’s just a turn of phrase. There’s no need to get excited.”

Erika and Connie exchanged meaningful glances. “Love, this is the closest you’ve got to romance in two years, so we have every right to get
excited.” It was actually much longer than that, but Eleanor was not about to put her mother right on the details. The women were sitting in the office-cum-storeroom in the basement of the shop the morning after the launch party. Connie smiled at her daughter and held out her mug for coffee.

Eleanor’s mother had been persuaded to move to a village just five miles away on being widowed. She and her husband had had a long and happy marriage then Jack fell ill and died after a short illness. Afterwards, Connie had begun to shrink and fade as though grief was stretching her out, dragging her back to her deceased husband. She had moved to a new house but was still lost in herself, no longer willing to attend choir or enjoy her old pastimes. The girls feared that they might lose their mother too when a minor miracle happened: Connie discovered internet dating. To be more precise, her neighbour had talked her into ‘just having a look’ during a Getting to Know Your Computer course at the village hall. She had had a couple of false starts but eight months and several dates later, Connie had recently returned from a Mediterranean cruise with Harold Greaves, a rather dapper eighty-something widower with a twinkle in his eye and love in his heart.

“I didn’t think that I would have to kiss quite so many frogs, not at my age,” Connie had confessed to her startled daughters, “but my Harold was worth it.”

Despite being all grown up, Eleanor’s children had been shocked at their Granny’s behaviour, Phoebe rushing into the kitchen at Christmas to announce that she had just seen Connie kissing Harold under the mistletoe, “Like properly – on the lips!”

“That is just gross,” Joe had said, shaking his head in disbelief.

However, everyone had eventually got used to the idea that Connie had a man in her life and Harold was now a much-loved addition to the family.

The only downside to Connie’s new relationship was that she, like most converts, was bordering on the fanatical and had been urging her newly single daughter to get online and find true love. To keep her mother happy, Eleanor had succumbed and had a handful of excruciatingly bad dates with an assortment of oddballs. Now, the hint of a potential beau in the guise of Jim Rowe had set Connie off again.

“You aren’t getting any younger sweetheart, and you won’t meet anyone stuck behind a bookcase.”

“Thank you mother. I’m not quite ready for the knacker’s yard just yet.”

“I just want you to be happy, love.”

“I am perfectly happy.” And so she was, most of the time. But, sometimes she did think that it might be nice to have someone to share things with again. Then she’d remember the last, dismal years of her marriage to Alan and shudder. Far better to be on her own and happy than be with someone just because it had become a habit. And anyway, it was not as if she was fighting them off.

Just then there was a knock at the door and Georgie walked in, looking relaxed and pretty in jeans and a white T-shirt, an overnight bag in her hands. She greeted them all warmly then plonked herself down on a pile of boxes.

“So, gals, what’s happening?”

“We were just discussing my daughter’s love life,” explained Connie, leaning over to introduce herself to Georgie.

“Ah, romance! My favourite topic,” she said, helping herself to coffee. “I thought that journalist guy seemed really nice.”

Eleanor gave her a sharp look. “Please don’t encourage them,” she sighed.

“He does seem keen on you, Eleanor,” added Erika.

“He’s a business associate, that’s all. Now I think we all have work to do.”

“Not me,” said Georgie, grinning happily. “I’ve got the weekend off and my train back to London doesn’t leave until mid-afternoon. Lunch anyone?”

Erika raised a hand, “Yup, count me in – as long as it’s a quick one.”

“If you don’t mind spending your free time with a granny,” said Connie, “I’d love to join you both for a bit of a gossip.” Connie enjoyed her trips out with Erika, which were occasionally enlivened by a little inside information about local members of the transgender community. (“Her, I mean him? The dentist? No, never?”)

“Of course, Connie,” said Erika. “It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

“Well, it’s alright for some,” said Eleanor, collecting the empty coffee things. “I’ve got books to sell.”

Connie caught Erika’s arm as Eleanor turned and walked back into the shop. “She definitely likes Jim,” she whispered, with a smile.

“I heard that!”

Eleanor knew that her mother and friends meant well, but they really were infuriating sometimes. Feeling the need for a breath of air, she grabbed her bag and headed out. “Before you ladies disappear for lunch I’m going to bring the van round and unload it.”

“Shall I come?” asked Erika.

“No, you stay here. I’ve got a few other things to do along the high street and I could do with the exercise.”

Stepping onto the sunny street the wind whipped across her face as she stomped up the road to the van, ruffling her hair. By the time she had been to the bank and the post office, and walked the short distance to the vehicle, she was completely dishevelled. She peered at her reflection in the wing mirror, unsuccessfully trying to dislodge strands of hair from her sunglasses as she dug in her bag for the keys. “Damn and blast it,” she said to no one in particular. It was, she decided, one of the perils of approaching middle age that you spent a great deal of time talking to yourself.

She was crouched on the pavement, unpacking the usual flotsam and jetsam that managed to accumulate in her handbag when she saw a pair of slightly scruffy deck shoes appear at her side. Above them two tanned knees descended from a pair of khaki shorts.

“Are these what you’re looking for?” Daniel Pearce stood there with the keys to her van in one hand and an old-fashioned string bag in the other. “You must have dropped them as you left the shop.”

“Gosh, yes, thanks,” said Eleanor, hastily stuffing the used tissues, old lipsticks, broken biros and dog chews back into the dark recesses of her bag where they belonged and rising to her feet. Daniel was standing between her and the sun, causing her to squint, despite the glasses.

“I’ve come down to get some fish for my father,” he explained, waving the shopping bag in the air. “It’s Friday. Fish day,” he added with a frown.

Coming from London, Eleanor had initially found it odd that you could only buy certain products on certain days. Sure, the supermarkets stocked the usual range of pre-packaged goods, but if you wanted the best local produce, you went to the weekly market behind the library.

“Mackerel,” he added.

Eleanor smiled encouragingly. “How lovely.”

They stood in uncomfortable silence for a moment or two as Eleanor unlocked the van door and climbed up into the driver’s seat.

“My father enjoyed himself at your party last night.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“It seemed to go well.”

“It did, yes,” she said, pointedly closing the door. “Well, it’s nice to see you again, but I really must get back to the office and unpack this lot,” she said, nodding towards the boxes she had brought from his father’s house. “I’ve not had time to do it because of the party.”

“I can give you a hand, if you like.”

“Oh, there’s no need,” she began to protest, before peering over her shoulder and realising how many cartons of books she had acquired. “Actually, that would be great. If you have the time.”

“I have,” he said, looking at his watch. “I’ll meet you at the shop.” With that Daniel strode off back up the high street, the shopping bag swinging rather incongruously by his side.

Back at The Reading Room, Erika came out to join them and, together with Georgie, they formed a chain gang that had the Combi unloaded in no time. Connie had offered to help, but was persuaded to wait on the sofa from where she called out encouraging remarks as the others trooped through the shop.

When all the boxes were in, Daniel wiped dust from his hands on his shorts and stood back to admire their work.

“Sorting that lot out should keep you busy for a while. When shall I come by for my father’s cheque?”

He’s keen to get his hands on Mr Pearce’s money, thought Eleanor. “There’s really no need to call in,” she said with a smile. “I’ll post it or drop it off myself once I’ve checked all the prices on the internet.”

Daniel shrugged. “As you wish. Well, bye then,” he said, retrieving his mackerel and leaving the shop.

“What a shame that such a handsome man has got such knobbly knees,” said Connie, rising from her spot on the coach. “May we go for lunch now?”

Eleanor nodded, “Yes, you may, but don’t keep my staff out too long.”

Connie took Erika’s arm and pulled a face. “Take no notice of my daughter. She’s only miffed at being left out.”

Eleanor ignored her, turning instead to Georgie.

“Thanks for all your efforts with Lavinia last night.”

“No worries – it was fun.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” she said, giving the young woman a peck on the cheek. “Give my love to London.”

She opened the door and ushered Georgie and the others out of the shop.

“Don’t worry,” said Erika, as she went past. “I won’t let Connie lead us astray.”

Eleanor couldn’t help laughing. “Enjoy your lunch and I hope to see at least one of you back here later.”

Chapter 4: Out on the T
own

The next day it was business as usual in The Reading Room, and Eleanor found herself quite looking forward to fish and chips with Jim Rowe. It would make a nice change, she thought, to have some male company, surrounded as she was with women most of the time. Her brief sortie into internet dating had made her very nervous about meeting men, but at least she was pretty sure that Jim Rowe was not a nutcase.

Erika caught her looking at the clock at 5pm and smiled. “Not long to go, now,” she said, cheerily.

Eleanor gave her a look. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” Just then the phone rang.

“Hello, The Reading Room,” said Erika. “Oh hello Connie. Yes, yes it is tonight,” she said, smiling across at Eleanor. “Oh, I don’t know. I’ll ask her.” She held the phone away from her mouth for a moment. “Connie would like to know what you’re planning on wearing this evening.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” said Eleanor, getting up from the floor where she’d been restacking a shelf and going over to the counter. “I’ll probably wear the same as I’m wearing now,” she said, looking down at her admittedly dusty trousers.

Erika, who was always immaculately dressed, failed to hide a look of disappointment.

“I’m meeting a friend for fish and chips, not going to a ball.”

Erika shrugged and held out the phone for her boss to take. “Don’t shoot the messenger.”

Eleanor sighed as she took it from her. “Hello mum. Yes, 7pm. No, take-away.” She rolled her eyes as Erika made herself busy behind the desk. “What? Oh, jeans and a T-shirt I suppose. Of course I’ll let you know how it goes. Love you, too. Bye.” She placed the phone back on the desk and went back to what she was doing.

“Ridiculous,” she muttered.

“I think it’s nice that Connie cares so much about you.” Erika’s own relationship with her parents had been strained by the disappearance of Eric. Her mother had handled it surprisingly well, but her father had never fully come to terms with losing a son and gaining a daughter at the age of seventy-three.

Remembering this, Eleanor suddenly felt a bit rotten. “I know,” she said, more gently. “But sometimes she treats me like I am still fifteen!”

“That’s mothers for you.”

Ten minutes later the phone rang again and it was Phoebe. “Hello Ma,” she said, as Eleanor answered. “Gran says you’ve got a date.”

Eleanor sighed as she ran through the details again with her daughter.

“Cool,” said Phoebe. “You should get out more and enjoy yourself.”

“Well I’m glad you approve.”

“I do, definitely. It’s time that you got over dad and had some fun.” Eleanor could hear a male voice in the background.

“Got to go, Josh is here. Love you, bye!”

Eleanor sighed as she put the phone down. Conversations with her daughter were always like that: a few words exchanged before Phoebe dashed off with Josh or Jason, or whoever it was she was hanging out with that week.

Customers came and went and the next time that Eleanor looked at the clock she saw that it was closing time. She cashed up and shut down the computer as Erika put away the coffee things and tidied up the books and toys in the children’s corner.

“Bella and I will have a quick walk, then I will prepare myself for this non-date that has got the whole town talking.” Hearing her name, the dog appeared from under one of the tables, yawning and stretching.

“See you both tomorrow then,” said Erika, as they left the shop. “Enjoy your evening!”

“I’ll try,” said Eleanor, as she turned the lock in the door and set off towards the sea front.

After a quick jog around the beach, Eleanor hurried back to the cottage to shower and change. The afternoon’s conversations had made her think that perhaps she ought to make a little bit of an effort. Bookshops are dusty places, so Eleanor rarely bothered to wear anything terribly glamorous at work. Now she tossed aside her trousers and selected a pair of black jeans that she could wear with a smart sweater – it would be cold by the water. She had arranged to meet Jim at the chippy at 7pm, so they could eat their supper outside then retire to the pub. When she had shared this arrangement with Connie, her mother had been very unimpressed.

“Goodness. Harold would never expect me to meet him on the street like a common tart.”

“This is not the 1950s,” said Eleanor, the thought of her mother hanging around street corners in fishnet stockings coming unbidden into her head. “Women are allowed out on their own. Anyway, it was my suggestion. Fish and chips always taste better outside.”

“That’s as maybe,” said Connie, “but he could at least have come and called for you.”

In fact, Jim had suggested coming to the cottage to collect her, but Eleanor was aware that the place was littered with books and she didn’t have the energy to make it presentable for visitors.

Glancing at her watch she saw that it was nearly time to go. After putting on some make-up and brushing her hair, she stepped back to admire her reflection in the bedroom mirror. “What do you think then, Bella? Will I do?” The dog raised its head and wagged as Eleanor twisted to check out her back view. Her midriff had never fully recovered from having the twins, but at least the daily dog walks helped keep her legs and bum in reasonable shape. “Hmm, not bad,” she said, giving herself a quick squirt of perfume and grabbing her handbag.

When she got to the take-away, Jim was already waiting outside. He gave her a big grin as she approached. “You look nice.”

“Thanks,” she said, unsure whether to kiss him or not. In the end they clashed noses as he bent towards her, and she ended up kissing him on the jaw.

He smiled again and ushered her into the shop. “After you, madam.”

They made small talk as they ordered their meals then walked down to the sea front, Jim holding the savoury bundles under his coat to keep them warm. When they got to the sea, they found a bench and eagerly unwrapped the layers of paper.

“Yum,” said Eleanor, as she grabbed a chunk of fish with her fingers. “This is delicious.”

Jim smiled and nodded between chips, “Glad you like it. There’s nothing like eating in the fresh air, in my view.”

They sat and ate contentedly as the wind whipped around them and seagulls squawked overhead. Jim was good company and, after the embarrassment of the half kiss, Eleanor began to relax. Because he was local, Jim was able to fill her in on who was who in town and identify landmarks that were dimly visible across the bay. When they’d finished their meal he suggested that they go to the King’s Head for a drink.

“That would be great.”

Jim offered her his arm and Eleanor put her own through it as they walked around the harbour towards the inn. She insisted on buying the drinks this time, and carried them to a table in an alcove near the fire.

“Well cheers,” she said, raising her glass to his.

Jim smiled and clinked glasses. “I’m glad that you decided to come out. I seem to spend most evenings reviewing bad am-dram for the paper, attending council meetings or watching the local football team get hammered.”

Eleanor smiled back at him. “Thanks for asking me. It’s nice to get away from the paperwork.”

“I thought your colleague handled that side of things.”

“You mean Erika? Oh, we share it really.” Eleanor hesitated for a moment, unsure whether or not Jim was aware of Erika’s background. “Have you two met properly? I’m sorry, I should have introduced you the other evening.”

“Oh that’s okay,” said Jim, swirling the beer in his glass. “You were both very busy. Same again?”

“Yes please.”

“Right,” said Jim, standing and heading for the bar. “A pint of wallop and a large white wine coming up.”

When he returned with the drinks he had a small box tucked under his arm.

“Are you familiar with dominoes?”

“I am,” said Eleanor, taking her wine, “but I probably haven’t played since I was about ten.”

“That makes you the perfect opponent in my book,” said Jim, as he tipped the pieces out on the table.

Eleanor laughed as she arranged her dominoes in a row. “I’ll give you a game if you remind me how to play.”

Jim briefly ran through the rules and they had a practice match, which Eleanor won. She also won the next four.

“Sorry. It’s obviously beginner’s luck.”

Jim raised an eyebrow. “Okay, best of seven.”

When Eleanor won those games too, she couldn’t help laughing. “This is such fun Jim. Can we do it again sometime?”

“I don’t know whether I could bear the humiliation,” he said, trying hard not to look cross.

Eleanor made a disappointed face as Jim gathered up the pieces and slotted them back in their wooden box.

“Buy me a beer and I’ll think about it,” he said, grinning.

Eleanor bought another round and sat back down. She didn’t know if it was the wine or the fire, but she was feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

“Okay, I’m prepared to play again,” said Jim.

“Great,” said Eleanor, slapping the table enthusiastically. “Maybe I could bring Erika along too? That might even things out a bit and give you a chance of winning.”

“Hmm, that sounds like two against one to me. I think I need to get another friend along for a bit of support.”

“Good idea,” said Eleanor. “I may not be around much for the next couple of weeks but let’s fix something up for when I’m back.”