The Stranger Next Door (7 page)

Chapter Fifteen

As the weeks passed, it became to be difficult to recall a time when Daniel did not live next door. Anna grew used to him being there, and was happy about it. It was good to have someone nearby with whom she could comment on the weather or share a joke. And she liked the way he worked so patiently in his garden, doing what he could, a bit at a time. She liked to see him growing stronger, too, day by day. She just liked him, she admitted to herself with a wry smile.

The children liked him, too. They were in his garden now even more than in their own. They played again in The Secret Wood, and sometimes they kicked a ball around his lawn. She heard him shout at them in mock anger, and she heard their excited responses. She heard the laughter and happy voices, and was glad. To think, she thought with another wry smile, how at first they had thought a monster had come to live next door to them.

Meanwhile, progress was being made on other fronts, too. Anna passed the theory test for her driving licence and resumed her driving lessons. Her instructor assured her she would soon be joining the race to the supermarkets in the nearby town.

'You've got the date for your practical test, Anna. You shouldn't have any difficulty. It's a little way off yet. So what you need to do is get some more practice in. Just get more used to the everyday business of being on the road.'

Anna shivered with anticipation. On the road? That sounded wonderful, if still distant.

'OK?'

'Yes,' she said dubiously, wondering how she could get some more practice in.

'With practice,' Kenny intoned solemnly, 'folk become more relaxed, and good drivers are relaxed at the wheel. Alert but relaxed.'

'Yes?' she said again, smiling and thinking it was like being back in school, having someone talking to her like this.

Kenny meant well, though. She knew that. It was just that there were practical matters for her to consider, and practical problems to be overcome.

'Have you got someone who can spend a bit of time with you, while you drive around?'

'Maybe,' she said, thinking there were two of the big practical problems, right there.

'That's good,' he said with approval. 'That's all you need.'

She needed someone to drive with her, and someone to look after Lisa and Tom. Two problems. Pippa and Derek, of course. But there were limits as to how much she could put on them. Another possibility came to mind but she needed to think that through a bit more. She couldn't just ask – or could she?

'If I could drive, I wouldn't have to toil up and down the hill every time I need a loaf of bread.'

'I wondered about that,' Daniel said. 'You don't drive?'

'Not yet, no. It didn't seem necessary when my husband was alive. Rather, I never got round to it. That's more like it. But I'm learning,' she added. 'And once I have my licence, I'll be able to think about a part-time job. That's another thing.'

'Good for you. When's your test?'

'Soon. Too soon! I need more practice.'

'Do you need someone to go out with you?'

She looked at him, smiled and nodded. 'Yes, please!'

*

The day came, surprisingly quickly, when the new kitchen was finished. It was a palace, compared to the old one.

'Oh, Mum!' Lisa breathed. 'It's lovely.'

'It is, isn't it? We're very lucky.'

She gazed around with happy astonishment. The kitchen was long and narrow still, but its shape was all that was left to remind them of the old kitchen. Close to the connecting door there was a cooker and hob on one side, and a double sink with a window on the other. At the far end was a breakfasting area they would probably use for most of their meals. It had windows on three sides, and was so light and airy Anna had already decided to have blinds fitted. Otherwise, on a sunny day, it would be like sitting in a greenhouse.

Tom had disappeared for a moment. Now he re-appeared, clutching two of his best cars to try out on the tiled floor.

'The far end, Tom, please!' Anna laughed. 'Up here, I'll fall over them.'

Not to be outdone, Lisa brought her colouring book to try out on the new table.

Next, Anna thought happily, I'm going to invite Pippa and Derek for a meal. And I'll ask Daniel, too. It's time they all met properly, and time I gave something back to thank them for what they've done for us.

'Thank you, Anna. But I can't, I'm afraid.'

'Why ever not?'

'I'm too busy.'

'Too busy?'

'Yes.'

Too busy? A likely story!

Stop! she told herself. Stop before you go too far and ask him what he's busy with.

'Pippa and Derek are the friends the children and I stayed with in the village. You actually met Derek, I think. Briefly.'

He nodded.

'I thought it would be nice to have you all round to celebrate the opening of the new kitchen. Another time, perhaps, in your case, Daniel. But if your plans change …. Tomorrow night – about six-thirty? I know it's early, but there's the children. They'd want to see everyone before they go to bed.'

He smiled but she could see he wasn't persuaded. 'I'll have to see,' was the best she could get out of him.

On the way back to her own house she felt irritated and frustrated. And disappointed. He had to engage with people. Why couldn't he see that?

She sighed. One step at a time, she supposed. At least he came down to the village with her sometimes now. Quite often, in fact. He wouldn't go into the shop and buy things yet, but he would let her do it for him. And at least he carried the stuff home!

She knew what it was. He still didn't like people seeing him close up. He couldn't bear the thought of them being revolted by sight of his scarred face. Yet it wasn't that bad, his face. And he still had the plastic surgeon to see, with the prospect of further improvement. Anyway, worse things than that had happened to him. More important things. He still wasn't as fit and strong as he must once have been, and as he ought to be again.

But he was getting better. She was in no doubt about that. She'd seen how much easier toiling up the hill was for him now. He was doing well.

'Have you been round to Daniel's, Mum?' Lisa asked when she returned from her fruitless mission next door.

'Yes. I wanted to ask him round for a meal tomorrow, with Pippa and Derek.'

'Oh, good!'

Anna looked at her with surprise, eyebrows raised.

'I like him a lot,' Lisa said with a shrug. 'So does Tom.'

'Good! I'm glad. He's a nice man. Unfortunately, he probably can't come.'

'Oh.'

The disappointment was heavy.

'Another time,' Anna said.

'Why can't he come?'

'He's busy, he says.'

'No, he isn't! He's never busy.'

'Well, maybe he is just this once.'

'I think it's because he doesn't like meeting people,' Lisa announced. 'He's shy.'

Anna was astonished by her daughter's insight. 'There is a bit of that,' she admitted.

'Because of his wounds,' Lisa declared. 'From the war.'

'War? What war?'

'I don't know. Some war.' Lisa shrugged again. 'He was wounded. You can tell.'

'But people's faces aren't the most important thing about them, Lisa. Not everyone can have a beautiful face.'

And even if you start off with one, she thought wryly, that's pretty well bound to change over the years. But she wasn't about to tell a little girl with everything to look forward to in life that little bit of grown-up wisdom.

'I'm not talking about his face,' Lisa said. 'I'm talking about how he struggles to walk up the hill.'

'Yes, he does still struggle a bit, doesn't he?' Anna admitted. 'He's getting better, though, don't you think?'

'Yes.' Lisa yawned, weary of the subject now. 'It's because we've been training him.'

'Training him?'

'At football. Me and Tom.'

Anna felt heartened, as well as amused. How she wished Daniel knew how little significance people, even children – especially children! –, placed on his scarred face. How she wished he could understand …. What, exactly? What did she want him to understand? Well …. How much they cared about him. There, now! She'd said it. They did. They cared about him. And sometimes she felt he cared about them, too.

Chapter Sixteen

'Oh, I'm so glad you'll both be able to come, Pippa. Poor Derek, though! We'll be tearing him away from his garden for another evening.'

'Don't worry about that. He'll be glad of the break. He's got a bad back, just like he has every year because of the gardening.'

'He must work at it very hard,' Anna said wistfully, gazing out of the window at the perfectly formed rows of cabbages and potatoes, beetroot and peas in Pippa's garden.

'I'd rather have a bigger lawn, frankly – and Derek without a bad back! He's such a grouse

when there's anything wrong with him.'

'But you can't beat fresh vegetables. And think of the money you must save.'

'Huh! I don't know about that. By the time he's paid for the special seeds, the various fertilisers, the organic compost – and I don't know what else! – it would be cheaper to buy the vegetables from the shop. Besides, I don't like slug holes in every potato, and the kids don't like caterpillars in the lettuce either.'

Anna laughed. 'Me thinks you protesteth too much!'

'Probably.'

'Oh, I nearly forgot. I've invited Daniel round for the meal, as well. Hope you don't mind?'

'Of course not. The mystery man from next-door, eh? I'll look forward to meeting him at last.'

'If he comes. I don't think he will, though.'

'Oh?'

'It's not certain anyway. He says he's busy, but I don't know what with. Lisa thinks he's just shy.'

'Force him to come. I want to hear all about midnight gardening, and the rest of it.'

Anna smiled. She hoped she was doing the right thing. She didn't want Pippa making fun of Daniel all night – if he came.

'Things must be better between you, if it's got to this stage?' Pippa suggested.

Anna could feel herself blushing. 'You can just get that twinkle out of your eye, Pippa! I know what you're thinking. Daniel's my neighbour. That's all. There's nothing going on.'

'That's a pity.'

Pippa started laughing. After a moment, reluctantly, Anna joined in.

'Seriously, though,' Pippa added, 'how are you getting on with him?'

'Very well, now. He's a nice man. He's helping me get some driving practice, apart from anything else.'

'Oh?'

'It's good for both of us, I think.'

She went on to explain how and why Daniel was so shy and reclusive, and how she had been trying to get him out of the house more.

'So it's his face he's worried about?'

'Yes. He's still recovering from other injuries, as well. More serious ones, actually. Lung damage, for example. But he's worried that his facial disfigurement will make people stare at him. And perhaps frighten them, especially children.' She paused and added, 'I think he just hates how he looks now.'

'Is it really bad?'

'Well …. To be honest, Pippa, I suppose it is. On one side, anyway. But I'm used to it now. So are the children. We don't notice it any more.'

'Does it bother Lisa and Tom?'

'No.' She shook her head. 'They like him a lot. So do I, actually. He's a good man. A brave one, too.'

'What about his other injuries?'

'As I said, he's recovering from them. Getting stronger every day. He has to be. We drag him up and down the hill to the shops every day!'

Pippa laughed and shook her head. 'You're doing very well, then, Anna.'

'Me?'

'You and the children. Seeing him. Taking him down to the village. It's the best thing that could have happened to him. To you, too, probably. You needed a friend next door as much as he did.'

Anna wasn't sure what Pippa meant at first but later she realised there was something in what she'd said. They were all helping each other, which was as it should be.

Pippa gasped and her hand flew to her face as soon as she saw the new kitchen. 'It's wonderful,' she said with astonishment. 'Oh, my goodness!'

Anna smiled and didn't even bother to agree.

Pippa spun round. 'Derek, we're setting fire to our kitchen as soon as we get home. I want one of these!'

'It makes you think, doesn't it?' Derek looked round appreciatively. 'Mind you, there was a bit of hassle involved in getting this one. Could you put up with that, my dear?'

'Easily,' Pippa said, giving Anna a wink.

'It has worked out well, in the end, I suppose,' Anna admitted. 'But it's been a dangerous way to go about it. If you really want a new kitchen, Pippa, I'd advise you to get it a more conventional way.'

'But then I'd have to pay for it, instead of the insurance, wouldn't I? Oh, life is so unfair!'

'That's enough from you,' Derek said sternly. 'Sit down and behave yourself. Anyone would think you never got anything new.'

'Well ….' Pippa reflected, head on one side. 'I suppose you did buy me some flowers the other week.'

'There you are, then.'

Pippa grinned and turned back to Anna. 'You have had a terrible time, though, haven't you? Are you over it now?'

'I think so.'

'And what about … Daniel? Has he recovered from the fire?'

'I'm not sure. He says he has. I hope he has.' Anna glanced at the clock. 'It looks as though he won't make it. We'd better make a start.'

'Oh, that's a pity. I'm one of the few people who haven't met him yet.'

'And I was looking forward to seeing him again,' Derek said. 'Our only other meeting was a bit of a breathless encounter.'

Anna was disappointed, too. As she urged her visitors to sit down at the table, she couldn't help wishing a certain other person had been present as well.

'Mum!' Lisa called moments later. 'Mum, can you come and help me, please?'

Anna groaned. 'Excuse me just for a moment. Derek, can you pour the wine, please?'

She hurried into the hall. 'What is it, Lisa?'

She stopped, confronted by the sight of Lisa wielding a huge bunch of flowers.

'Look what he's brought!'

'Who …?' Anna eyes moved past the flowers and Lisa. 'Daniel!'

'Not absolutely too late, I hope?'

'Of course not,' she assured him, reaching forward to kiss his cheek.

Too late, aghast, she thought, Oh! What am I doing?

But Daniel just smiled.

'Mum! They're heavy,' Lisa complained.

'Into the kitchen with them. Daniel, come and meet my other guests.'

'Daniel Ferguson,' Anna said proudly. 'Here he is, Pippa. He's come after all.'

It went well from the start. Derek stood up to shake Daniel's hand. Pippa gave him one of her very best smiles. And Daniel …. Daniel was fun.

'Sorry I'm late everyone. I got lost.'

'Coming here?' Pippa asked.

'Coming here. The light was appalling.'

'Oh, Daniel!' Anna protested, laughing.

'It's easy done,' Pippa pointed out. 'Isn't it, Derek?'

'Easy,' Derek agreed. 'Many's the time, coming back from The Original Oak, I've lost my way.'

'Sometimes,' Daniel said portentously, 'a man just needs help.'

'Spot on!' Derek agreed.

'I'll bring the rice,' Anna announced, hurrying away.

'So, Daniel, you're leaving the Army?' Derek said. 'Or you've already left. Any plans?'

'First to get well again. Then to enjoy my life here.'

'Sounds good to me.'

'You're going to stay?' Pippa asked.

'Oh, yes.' He threw Anna a smile. 'If my neighbours will let me, that is.'

'That's asking a lot,' Anna said.

'I know, I know! You have a lot to put up with.'

'Well,' Pippa said, 'if you get chucked out, move into the village. We're very friendly down there – not like these snobbish folk up on the hill.'

'That's very kind of you, Pippa.'

'Cheek!' Anna protested.

'Army pension good enough to live on?' Derek asked.

'Derek!' Pippa protested.

'Certainly,' Daniel said. 'Better than you'll get eventually from local government, I would think.'

'That wouldn't be hard! Anyway you chaps certainly earn it.'

'But I plan to work for a living anyway.'

'Oh?' Pippa said. 'Get a job, you mean?'

'Start a business.'

'Really?'

'I have half a mind to open a shop.'

'Selling what?'

'Fishing rods.'

'Are you serious?' Anna asked.

'Absolutely. I've noticed Branton doesn't have many shops like that.'

'Hardly any,' Derek agreed.

Pippa began to laugh. After taking a moment to recover, Anna went for the rhubarb crumble.