Tomorrow's Promise

by Gillian Villiers

  ‘You could invite me out, if you wanted.’

  ‘Oh.’ The blush deepened. It was fascinating to know that you could break through that reserve and he pressed his advantage.

  ‘But only if you wanted to, of course. Would you want to?’

  She looked down, ostensibly examining a broken nail. ‘I could cook you a meal at the house.’

  ‘But it’s not the same, is it? There’s always someone else around. Like now. The others will be back in a minute. I’m looking to spend some time with you on my own.’

  Lara looked at her watch as though she wished the others were already there. He held his breath and waited. He didn’t know how much to say, how much to push. He didn’t want to drive her further away, but so far this approach was having better results than the politer one. ‘Lara?’

  ‘Ah. Um.’

  ‘We could go out a few times. Give it a try. See if we, er, like each other?’

  She shot him a quick look from below dark lashes. ‘Do you want to?’

  Of course he wanted to! But he also wanted to know what she wanted. He put out a hand and took one of hers. She wasn’t quite far enough away to prevent it. ‘I want to. How about you?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ she said with a sigh, but she let her hand rest in his, slim and cool.

  She laughed breathlessly. ‘You don’t want to do that. I’m filthy.’

  ‘Not nearly as filthy as I would be if I’d been doing what you’ve been doing all day.’

  She smiled at him, and then jumped as the sound of footsteps could be heard, and Steve and Alex appeared around the side of the house.

  Lara jumped up. ‘Cold drinks, that’s great idea. I’ll go and get mugs, shall I?’ She hurried away, leaving Mick with no idea if he had made progress or not.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lara was still mulling over Mick’s words the following day. He had almost convinced her that he was genuine, that he liked her and yet she still couldn’t make up her what to do next.

  Then her mother phoned on the Monday morning to confirm her flight details for Dubai and she decided to make no decision until that trip was over. She thought Mick looked rather downhearted when she told him of her planned visit, but Alex was pleased. She seemed to think it would be good for Lara to spend time with her parents. Just because she had never known her own parents, and had adored her grandmother, she seemed to think family was important. Lara decided it was easiest not to disagree.

  It seemed no time at all before she was on her way to Glasgow airport to catch the flight. Alex was driving her, in Lara’s car. Mick had offered to come too but Lara had refused politely. She couldn’t see why anyone would want to spend four hours in a car if they didn’t have to.

  ‘Will you be all right without me?’ Lara asked her friend for the umpteenth time. Alex seemed much brighter these days, but she couldn’t help worrying.

  ‘Of course. I’ll be working on Ladybank Row. I’ll be fine.’

  ‘That’s good,’ said Lara, although she wasn’t quite sure she believed her friend.

  ‘You’ll give your parents a chance, won’t you?’ said Alex suddenly.

  ‘Goodness, what on earth do you mean?’

  ‘This must be important to them. They’re so happy you’re going,’ said Alex.

  ‘Mmm,’ said Lara, still not convinced.

  She thought about Alex’s words during the long hours of the flight. Alex might like to think family was important, but despite their years of friendship she didn’t understand Lara’s situation. Her parents didn’t dote. They weren’t interested in every aspect of her life. It was completely different to the way Nana Edna had been with Alex. And yet, and yet – they were paying her air fare, weren’t they? They did seem to want to see her this time. She sighed, feeling this was a conundrum she would never solve.

  As the chauffeur turned the large car into their compound Elizabeth gave a smile of relief. The party had gone well. Derek had been praised and rewarded just as he should have been. And, best of all, Lara had been there to enjoy it with them.

  As they climbed the broad marble steps to the house, she touched her daughter’s arm. ‘I’m so glad you came.’

  ‘It’s been very nice,’ said her daughter, cautious as always. She looked so beautiful. Her short, dark hair was lustrous. She was wearing the silk dress of midnight blue Elizabeth had had such fun choosing for her, and looked as neat and smart now as she had done at the beginning of the evening.

  ‘Time for a night cap?’ suggested Derek.

  Elizabeth saw her daughter hesitate and held her breath. Lara was leaving first thing in the morning. This was the last chance for the three of them to be together.

  ‘I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea,’ said Lara at length.

  ‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ said Elizabeth quickly. The maid would long since have retired to her room. ‘You two make yourselves comfortable in the lounge.’

  ‘We’ll sit on the patio,’ said Derek. ‘It’s cool enough at this time of night.’

  Elizabeth hurried to lay a tray of tea things for herself and her daughter and pour a whisky for Derek. She knew she should be glad Lara and her father had the chance to talk together, but it made her nervous. Derek had never been good at communicating with young people, and after the emotion of the evening he would probably be feeling tense.

  When she joined them on the dimly lit patio neither was speaking.

  ‘It was a lovely party, wasn’t it?’ she said brightly.

  It was Lara who answered. ‘They did you proud, Dad. They’re obviously going to miss you.’

  ‘Hmm,’ said Derek. He was never good at accepting compliments, but Lara wasn’t to know that. She would think he was merely impatient. ‘If they think I’ve so much to offer, it would be nice if they gave me another year’s contract.’

  Elizabeth’s heart fell. ‘But Derek, we’ve agreed we’re leaving. We’ve bought the house in Devon …’

  ‘We could rent it out, no problem.’

  ‘Mum has been looking forward to moving there,’ said Lara, taking her mother by surprise with her vehement tone. ‘She wants the fun of doing up her own place. I can understand that, now I’ve got Ladybank Row.’

  Derek grunted. His thick hair, once as dark as Lara’s, was now completely white. In the soft light it was hard to see the expression on his face. ‘I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I don’t know why you put all your money into a place like that. Sounds like the buildings are derelict. What do a couple of girls know about doing up derelict buildings?’

  ‘They’re not derelict,’ said Lara. ‘Perhaps if you came over to see for yourself you would know that.’

  ‘I’ve been busy. And I’ve heard enough from your mother to form my judgement.’

  ‘Mum hasn’t seen them either.’ Lara put her cup down on the saucer with a clatter. She sounded angry. ‘When was the last time either of you visited me? But you still think you can offer comment on the way I do things. I don’t know why. What is it to you if I have taken on too much? I won’t come rushing to you for help. Because I’ll know you’re too busy.’

  ‘Lara!’ protested Elizabeth. This was awful. Derek disliked arguments and would particularly hate to hear such words from his daughter.

  ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, young lady,’ said Derek, his voice edgy.

  Suddenly there seemed to be no stopping Lara. ‘It’s not just me,’ she said. ‘What about Mum? You didn’t even bother to go to Devon with her to help her choose the house. Now you’ll probably say she made the wrong decision but it isn’t her fault, is it? You’re always criticising her. But if you don’t make the effort to involve yourself then what can you expect?’

  ‘Lara,’ said Elizabeth again. Part of her was touched by her daughter’s concern, but mostly she was just horrified at the angry words being exchanged.

  ‘I’ve said enough, I know.’ Lara rose to her feet. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be gone tomorrow and you probably won
’t see me again for years.’

  She swept through the open patio doors and disappeared.

  Elizabeth put her hand out tentatively to her husband. ‘It’s probably just all the excitement, she doesn’t mean …’

  Derek twitched his arm away. She could tell he was upset. He finished his night cap in silence and they too retired to bed.

  Chapter Fourteen

  ‘Something’s not right,’ said Lara. It was the Saturday following her trip to Dubai. She was keen to busy herself with practicalities and had headed immediately over to Ladybank Row. One of the first things they had done when they took possession of the houses was to put proper locks on the doors but now the door of Number One opened without needing a key. ‘It’s not been locked properly.’

  ‘Maybe I forgot,’ said Alex doubtfully, but Lara continued to look about suspiciously. It didn’t feel right. She sniffed the air, as though that could tell her something, but all she could smell was the familiar scent of damp and plaster.

  ‘Gary Glover’s people were the last ones here,’ said Alex. ‘I told them to lock up when they left.’ Still Lara said nothing. ‘It’s good to have the work on those roofs started, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Lara, wondering why she still fell ill at ease. Alex was right, it was a massive relief to know the asbestos was being removed. Gary Glover had come in with a very reasonable quote and they had given the contract to him. He and his men had started the previous week, carefully kitted out in face masks and white overalls, as though involved in some surgical operation. Maybe they were the ones who hadn’t locked up correctly, but she still felt concerned. Or perhaps she just wanted something else to worry about instead of her parents. Or Mick.

  She had managed to avoid Mick since her return. She knew it was pathetic, but if she didn’t see him she could pretend their friendship was just that, an easy friendship. Maybe soon he would realise it was best if it remained that way. Lara’s visit to her parents had reminded her that happy families weren’t for her.

  The girls continued the work Alex had been doing all week, stripping back the house to its bare bones. Once Lara got involved in the job she forgot about the unlocked door. She even forgot about Mick, most of the time, until he phoned on her mobile, which was most unusual.

  ‘Are you at Ladybank?’ he said in his easy way. ‘I thought you might be. OK if I bring someone round to see you?’

  ‘I suppose so,’ said Lara, mystified. It was far more typical of Mick to just turn up. ‘Who is it?’

  ‘Wait and see. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes.’

  Lara frowned. She presumed it wasn’t Steve, or he wouldn’t have phoned to warn her. What if it was Ed? The thought of Ed’s glowering presence filled her with dread. These were her houses. Well, hers and Alex’s. She didn’t want him anywhere near.

  It was a relief, therefore, when Mick arrived with a slim youth in tow. He looked sixteen or seventeen but Lara didn’t recognise him from school. She would have remembered those eyebrow piercings.

  ‘Hi there,’ she said when Mick brought the boy through to the kitchen where Lara was working.

  ‘This is Ryan,’ said Mick, slapping the boy on the shoulder. ‘One of my more promising footballers. Used to be at the High, but that was before your time.’

  ‘Nice to meet you,’ said Lara.

  ‘Umm,’ said the youth.

  ‘Ryan mentioned last time I saw him that he wasn’t working at the moment and I remembered you said you could do with an extra pair of hands. So I asked him if he’d like to help you out and here we are.’

  Ryan was looking uncomfortable. Lara guessed he hadn’t volunteered to ‘help her out’. But if Mick had made the effort to bring the boy here he must be keen to get him involved.

  ‘It wouldn’t be anything permanent,’ she said cautiously.

  ‘He’s just looking for some casual work. He’s stronger than he looks and he’ll do what he’s told. Well, most of the time.’

  Lara considered the youth. She knew all too many boys like Ryan. Very few of those from difficult backgrounds continued at school past sixteen, whether they were capable or not. It was such a shame.

  ‘We could give it a try, see how it goes,’ she said. If Mick had made this much effort they had to give the boy a chance. ‘I’ll have to see what Alex thinks, but I’m sure she’d appreciate a hand during the week when I’m not around. Why don’t you come by at nine tomorrow and we can give it a try?’

  ‘That’s brilliant,’ said Mick, beaming. ‘How about it, then, Ryan? That OK with you?’

  ‘Aye, I suppose.’ The boy looked at Lara, but didn’t meet her eyes. ‘I’ll see yous tomorrow, then.’

  ‘Nine o’clock, remember,’ said Lara. ‘Don’t be late.’

  The boy trudged out and the house was silent for a moment. Lara felt she’d made a momentous decision rather too quickly.

  ‘I’m really grateful,’ said Mick. ‘I hope you don’t think I’ve imposed on you? He’s not a bad lad and he’s just … going nowhere at the moment. I’ve been at my wit’s end wondering what to do with him and when I thought of this it seemed ideal.’

  Lara was impressed by the interest he took in these kids. But she felt she had to be cautious. ‘We’ll see how he turns out,’ she said. ‘It’s up to him now.’

  ‘I know. But I still can’t thank you enough. And since I’m here, how about putting me to some use? Still a couple of hours before I can decently head for the pub.’

  ‘If you’re sure …? There’s a wheelbarrow out there, you could start by giving Alex a hand in the garden. I’ll make some tea.’

  The warm feeling stayed with Lara for the rest of the afternoon. Mick was a genuinely nice guy. He made an effort for these kids. He had said he liked her and wanted to go out with her – why not give him a chance?

  Later, when they had once again lit a bonfire and were watching the sparks race up into the darkening sky she went, of her own accord, to stand beside him. Alex was on the opposite side of the flames. Lara took a deep breath and said quickly, ‘I’m free on Tuesday night. I wondered if I could invite you out for a drink?’

  He froze, saying nothing, and she wanted to turn and run. She actually made a small movement away from him, trying desperately to think of some way of retracting her words.

  ‘That sounds like a great idea to me.’

  ‘Oh, er, good.’ She felt breathless.

  ‘It’s a date then,’ he said and squeezed her hand. He seemed really pleased. Maybe this wasn’t a mistake.

  Ironically, Lara didn’t see Mick at all on the Sunday as she was busy with Ryan at Ladybank Row and Mick was at a pub football tournament. Ryan was monosyllabic, but strong and therefore useful. She would have liked to tell Mick that, but he hadn’t returned home by the time she went to bed.

  On Monday their times in the staff room didn’t seem to coincide. She didn’t think he was trying to avoid her. By the time she came home Mick had gone out, presumably to do more football coaching. Lara wasn’t sorry to retire to bed before he returned. She really didn’t know how to act towards him. They had held hands for a few minutes, that was all. She was behaving more like seventeen than twenty-seven.

  Tuesday was much the same, although Mick did manage to say when passing her on one of the long school corridors, ‘Still OK for tonight?’ which made her want to sink into the ground in case one of the students overheard. She managed to nod stiffly and move on. Even that brief exchange caused giggles and nudges amongst the teenage girls behind her. She wondered why she had ever wanted to teach.

  She stayed a little late at school once again, to make sure everything was ready for the next morning, and it was nearly six by the time she got home. She had thought everything through. What she would wear, where they would go, how she would behave.

  When she walked in the door, Mick shot out of the sitting room with his mobile in one hand. ‘Thank goodness. I was just about to call you.’

  ‘Yes?’

  He loo
ked harassed, very unusual for Mick, his face tense and pinched. ‘I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to cry off tonight.’

  ‘Oh. Well, that’s OK.’ She felt her stomach plummet. This was one scenario she had not foreseen.

  He took her arm and shook it slightly. ‘Temporarily, that’s all. I’ve got to go over to Ayr.’

  ‘Ayr?’ said Lara, feeling stupid. She had been so keyed up for the evening she was finding it hard to take this in. Why would he go to Ayr?

  ‘My father’s not well. He’s been taken in to hospital. It’s a suspected heart attack. They say he’s out of immediate danger but I need to go.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Goodness. I hope he’s OK.’

  ‘He’ll probably be fine. My sister phoned about ten minutes ago.’ His mobile rang and he answered it instantly. ‘Yes? Steve, hi. I can? Great, I’ll be right over.’ He gave Lara a quick smile. ‘I’m borrowing Steve’s car. I’m sorry about this.’

  ‘That’s OK,’ said Lara, remembering to breathe and feeling better for it. ‘It’s perfectly understandable. I’m just sorry this has happened.’

  ‘So am I.’

  They looked at each other in silence for a moment, then Mick’s mobile gave that beep that indicates a text message coming in. ‘That’s my sister giving the ward number. I really must go.’

  ‘Yes.’ Lara realised she was still standing in the doorway and moved aside to let him pass.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Having Ryan around was working out surprisingly well. He wasn’t sociable and didn’t seem to have much initiative, but he did turn up on time and do more or less what he was asked. His accent was so broad that even Alex, who had been brought up in the area, had difficulty understanding him, but as he spoke little that wasn’t much of a problem. The extra pair of hands meant that the stripping out of the houses was continuing apace. After only three days of his input they needed a second skip, which Lara felt was definite progress.