Silence.
She glanced into her mirror again. Both boys’ eyes were closed, Harry’s mouth open and Rory’s cheek pressed to the top of Harry’s head.
She smiled, settling down behind the wheel. In less than three hours she would be in the Roundhouse. The responsibility she’d assumed for the slightly whiffy teenagers behind her would be over. She could stop worrying if whatever she did was the right thing.
She turned up the radio as Harry began to snore and headed to a tiny village on a bar of land between Holme-next-the-Sea and Titchwell.
They were on the A10 coming up to King’s Lynn before either of the recumbent teenagers stirred.
It was Harry, always the most vocal, who suddenly demanded, ‘Clancy, can you stop? I need a piss so bad.’
Rory whimpered at such a rude awakening, then mumbled in a small voice, ‘I might have to puke.’
‘Hang on to both,’ Clancy urged. ‘I’ll pull off.’ After a couple of minutes’ tense silence and fidgeting from the back seat, a lay-by hove into view and she made a dive for it, grateful that at least lads were more equipped than girls for relieving bodily fluids behind a hedge.
The lads scrambled out, slamming the car doors and wafting in heated, fume-laden air. Clancy stretched comfortably, deciding not to leave the climate-controlled comfort of her car. Noisy vehicles roared past only feet away, masking any unfortunate sound effects. Then her phone began to ring and she pressed the button on the steering wheel to reply via the car’s system.
‘Hi. How’s everything?’ Aaron’s voice filled the air around her. It made the hair on her neck stand up. After a slight hesitation he added, ‘Are you still coming home today?’
A smile tugged at her lips at him calling Nelson’s Bar ‘home’. ‘We’re south of King’s Lynn,’ she replied. ‘A lot will depend on traffic from here but I should be back in plenty of time for the Parish Meeting. The boys needed a comfort stop.’ She told him about the drunken state of them this morning.
‘At least they’re with you. That’s a relief.’ Again a hesitation, as if he wasn’t sure how to go on.
She decided the lads were a safe topic. ‘I’ve been wondering what’ll happen when I get them back to the village— Oh, heads up, they’re about to get in the car and you’re on speaker.’
‘Got it,’ Aaron replied easily. More slamming of doors, Harry grumbling about feeling crap, Rory leaning back and closing his eyes with a groan. A laugh in his voice, Aaron came over the speaker: ‘What kind of state are you two in?’
Harry sat up. ‘Hey, Aaron!’ Then, more quietly, ‘We’re hungover and we’ll be home soon,’ as if both were equally dreadful.
Clancy restarted the car and indicated her intention to join the traffic.
Aaron’s disembodied voice continued to float around the car’s interior. ‘I saw your parents last night, Harry. They’re obviously worried about you and mystified about why you didn’t let anyone know you were going to London.’
A car coming up behind flashed its lights and, waving her thanks, Clancy was able to pull away and resume their journey.
Harry vented a long sigh. ‘Suppose they have a point.’ He went on to sum up everything he and Rory had told Clancy that morning, adding, ‘This Darren said that it was up to me how honest I was with my parents. When he came out to his family there was a massive row and he walked out, but then his boyfriend had the opposite experience and his parents were great and still are. Rory’s mum will probably be OK. It’s just Dad. Darren said I might have to be pragmatic.’
Aaron didn’t try to dismiss Harry’s concerns. ‘In what way?’
A silence. Then Harry said gruffly, ‘Not come out to them. Just go to Leicester and live there as I want to. As we want to.’
Aaron’s turn to sigh. ‘I can see why you’d make that decision.’
Harry sounded suddenly tearful. ‘I don’t know how they’re going to be when I get home, even without … telling them.’
The worry in his voice made Clancy’s heart ache for him as she drove. The threshold between childhood and adulthood could be a tricky place. She wanted to say, ‘But Harry and Rory aren’t doing anything wrong! Why should he be frightened to tell Jordy?’ But it was an idealistic view. If Jordy disliked everyone who wasn’t ‘straight’ then that was what had to be dealt with. Whether his prejudice sprang from ignorance or fear or upbringing, it was there.
Aaron answered Harry. ‘He’ll be glad to see you but cover it up with bluster, I expect. I could go along with you if you think it would help,’ he added.
Harry was suddenly resolute. ‘No, thanks. I’m eighteen. If I want to go to London for a few days then I will.’
Aaron didn’t comment, though Clancy wondered whether, like her, he was thinking, ‘So why didn’t you tell them you were going?’ Instead, Aaron said his goodbyes and Harry and Rory fell quiet as Clancy drove past King’s Lynn, Hunstanton and Holme. Then she took the left towards Nelson’s Bar, passing through the pinewood, the car’s engine note changing as they hit Long Climb. The atmosphere became taut, and not just on the part of the boys. Clancy was unsettled too; hearing Aaron’s voice without, once again, really being able to have a conversation with him herself, was like an itch she couldn’t reach to scratch.
That day at Keelmarsh House, she’d been totally lit up by Aaron’s kisses, but when Aaron had pulled back with a vengeance at her being so palpably knocked off balance by Will’s text, it had been like a shower of icy water.
What next? The Parish Meeting this evening, of course, and tomorrow racing around the three holiday homes to change the beds and clean before the new guests arrived after 3 p.m., then she might take Dilys and Ernie to the supermarket, as it seemed to have become part of their weekend routine. On Sunday she could take a walk along the cliffs or call in at the B&B for lunch.
But her mind kept flying back to Aaron’s kisses amongst the soft pastel colours of the knot garden he’d created. Her heart flipped at the overheated memory of shivering with desire. But her brain glared at her heart. ‘Seriously? Only months ago it was all cancelled wedding plans and pity party yet now you’re feeling like this? And you have no idea how he’s feeling, what he thinks, what he wants. You’re reading waaaaaay too much into a kiss or two. He’s just out of a relationship himself and probably enjoying being free to kiss whoever he wants.’
One last bend, then they were on the approach to the Roundhouse. Clancy slowed the car and pulled up outside the garden gate. Then she caught sight of a tall man with dark tousled hair sitting on the step, his back against the front door, and her heart took zero notice of her brain and leapt so hard into her throat that it almost stopped her breathing.
Switching off the ignition, she took a steadying breath. Harry cried, ‘There’s Aaron. C’mon Rory.’ By the time Clancy had opened her door and hopped out onto the dusty lane, Harry was already talking earnestly to Aaron, Rory’s gaze on Harry’s face, both boys sporting their backpacks on one shoulder.
‘Maybe it would be good if you’d come with me after all,’ Harry was saying as Clancy hovered. ‘Dad thinks I’m eight, not eighteen and will start spouting all his usual bollocks. Let’s go and get it over with.’ He turned to Clancy. ‘Thanks loads, Clancy. You’ve been amazing.’ He gave her a big hug.
The warmth behind the gesture easily compensated for the aroma of hungover teenager. Gladly, she hugged him back. ‘I hope everything works out for you.’ As they disengaged she glanced at Aaron. His gaze was on her. It seemed to ask a question but she couldn’t read what it was.
Then Rory gave her a hug too, quicker and more diffident than Harry’s, obliging Clancy to look away. When she looked back, Aaron’s attention was on Harry again.
Before he went off with Harry and Rory, though, he gave Clancy one last quick smile. ‘So I’ll see you at the Parish Meeting tonight?’
‘I’ll be there,’ she agreed. She watched the three stride towards Droody Road, Harry jabbering away to Aaron, Rory watching and listening,
as usual. Just before the curve in the lane took them out of sight, Aaron glanced over his shoulder. He was too far away for her to read his expression but she flushed to have been caught watching him.
Then Dilys popped out of number two wearing jaunty flowered trousers and a beaming smile. ‘Hello, dear! It’s been quiet without you. The washing machine at number five broke so I let them use mine, though it beats me why people want to do laundry while they’re on holiday. Aaron got the engineer here this morning so at least the new guests tomorrow will have a working washer. Fancy a cuppa?’
Instantly, Clancy felt in the swim again, welcomed by the details of village life, absorbed into the fabric of the place. ‘That would be lovely. Shall we have it in the garden? It’s a gorgeous afternoon.’ She turned her face to the breeze and took a good lungful of the now-familiar briny air. Whatever happened or didn’t happen with Aaron, for now she could relax into the feeling of being home in Nelson’s Bar, enjoying the simple pleasure of a drink with a neighbour. Feeling welcome and at home.
Chapter Seventeen
As Aaron left the Roundhouse behind, glad of the shade in leafy Droody Road, he decided not to tell Harry that it was Clancy he’d been waiting to see. Harry was obviously expecting a quarrel at home and that was of more immediate importance than Aaron’s eyes being continually drawn to Clancy’s glossy hair and bright eyes, the way the wind blew her top against her body.
Eighteen Harry might be but Jordy … well, all Harry’s age meant to Jordy was that it was time he went to university. Aaron would do his best to support Harry, though Jordy, a holder of strong opinions he never hesitated to share, was perfectly capable of telling Aaron to butt out.
He stopped suddenly, realising his thoughts had carried him past the junction with The Green, the enclosure of carrstone cottages arranged around a square of grass where Rory lived. The boys had paused to talk quietly. Then, patting each other’s shoulders in a gesture that wasn’t quite an embrace, they parted, Rory heading off past a rambling rose bush of delicate pink tumbling over a wall, abuzz with insects in the late afternoon sun. Harry wore a scowl as he caught up with Aaron. They walked on together in silence to Trader’s Place.
The front garden of the Drew family home was full of fuchsias, the dainty pink and purple flowers dancing in the breeze like ballerinas while a tangle of Russian Vine rioted up one corner of the house. Harry brushed past and threw open the side door to the house, letting it bang against the wall. He might as well have bellowed, ‘Warning! Teenager in a strop.’
Jordy and Anabelle hurried out of the kitchen and met him in the hallway, Jordy wearing a pugnacious expression – which matched Harry’s.
Anabelle, face creased with anxiety, got to their son first. ‘What made you take off without saying anything like that? I was worried to death! Are you all right?’ Her words hurried over each other as she pulled him in for a big hug, having to stand on tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek.
Harry looked abashed. ‘Sorry. It was a bit spur of the moment because Clancy was going to London and we could get a free lift.’
Jordy was ready with a sharp question. ‘And you and that Rory just happened to have packed backpacks with you? What have you been up to?’
‘Doing some thinking.’ Harry shoved his backpack off his shoulder and let it thud onto the tiled hall floor. ‘Doing some sightseeing. Having a bit of fun.’ He folded his arms as if putting up a barrier.
‘Hello, Aaron. Shall we sit down and have a cuppa?’ suggested Anabelle, sending Jordy an apprehensive look.
Jordy, ignoring her, turned to Aaron, eyebrows raised in surprise. ‘What are you doing here? You haven’t been to London with him, have you?’
Aaron had prepared an answer as he’d walked to Trader’s Place and used it to introduce something non-contentious to the conversation. ‘I was waiting to talk to Clancy when Harry arrived so I walked along with him. Mum wants to know if you’ll help at Aunt Norma’s birthday barbecue in August. And yes, I’d love a cuppa, Anabelle, please.’
Remaining planted in front of the kitchen door as if stating that anybody who wanted a cuppa would have to go through him, Jordy waved Aaron’s words away. ‘That’s bloody weeks off!’ He returned his attention to his son. ‘Don’t you get ideas about loafing around in London with that Rory. You’re going to university at the end of September.’
‘Yep.’ Triumph filtered into Harry’s voice. ‘Don’t sweat, Dad. There’s nothing to stress you about me going to London for a few days. It’s you who keeps telling me there’s a lot of the world outside Nelson’s Bar. Clancy got us a spare room at her ex’s place—’
‘Why the hell should she involve herself?’ Jordy grumbled. Then his red face creased slowly into a broad grin as what he’d just heard dawned on him. ‘Good news that you’re settled about uni, son. You’re a clever lad and could have the world at your feet in a few years. Let’s hear no more nonsense about going off somewhere with that Rory. Nice enough, he is, but bloody sawdust for brains.’
Harry’s face had been relaxing into a smile too but at this he snatched up his backpack and sidled past Anabelle. ‘He’s dyslexic, not stupid.’
Two strides and he’d reached the foot of the stairs. In seconds he’d gone, leaving only an echo of thumping footsteps and an atmosphere behind him.
Anabelle’s face sagged into lines of distress as she turned to her husband. ‘Why’d you have to say that?’
Jordy snapped, ‘Shut up, Belly. Do something useful and get Aaron the coffee you offered him.’
Aaron hastily interposed. ‘Actually, I’ll get one at home. I need a bite to eat before the Parish Meeting anyway.’ Aaron gave Anabelle a hug and kissed her cheek, said bye to Jordy and made his escape, relieved his input hadn’t really been needed.
It was only when he was halfway up the garden path that he realised there was someone a step behind him. He turned to see Jordy following. ‘What’s up?’ Aaron asked, waiting for him to catch up.
‘I just …’ Jordy shifted from foot to foot, his brow furrowed above his eyes. ‘Just bloody Harry and Anabelle, sometimes! He’s getting big for his boots and she’s just cooing over him.’ He shook his head as if inviting disbelief at the load he had to carry.
Aaron felt his patience snap. ‘I don’t know what you want, Jordy. Harry’s home safely and he’s agreed to go to uni. Why not relax and enjoy it? Take him and Anabelle out for fish and chips to celebrate. Stop being a dick.’
Jordy scowled, gazing outwards instead of meeting Aaron’s eye. ‘Do you think there’s anything wrong with Harry?’ he asked abruptly.
‘No,’ Aaron answered truthfully and impatiently. ‘Do you?’
‘Dunno.’ Finally, Jordy smiled ruefully. ‘Maybe I’m worrying about nothing. I’ll just be glad when he goes to uni and meets more girls. He’s stuck in this bloody backwater where there are hardly any his age.’
‘He’ll meet whoever he meets,’ Aaron replied enigmatically. ‘He’s an adult now, Jord.’
‘And he needs to meet girls,’ Jordy repeated determinedly. But then he clapped Aaron suddenly on the shoulder and flashed a smile. ‘So you think Harry’s OK, do you? Maybe I will take them both out to celebrate. You’re right. Cheers, cuz.’
Parish Meetings were held wherever the Chair of the Parish Meetings decided. The present chair, Megan, had very stylishly had the ground floor of her red-brick house converted to open-plan, so recent meetings had taken place there, with people on sofas, dining chairs, footstools, borrowed chairs, garden chairs and perched on bar stools in a row behind the quartz counter that demarcated the kitchen area.
However, owing to the long, sultry days they were experiencing, tonight’s meeting had been moved out onto the lawn, with seats arranged in ranks. Aaron had agreed to his mum’s request to call at De Silva House so they could walk down together or, in the case of Aunt Norma, wheel, Yvonne having hired her a lightweight wheelchair. Their progress out of Frenchmen’s Way, passing Yvonne’s rows of hollyhocks and d
elphiniums before the hedges and cottages of Long Lane to Droody Road was severely hampered by the number of people who stopped to ask after her ankle.
‘It’s not bad,’ she told everyone, looping an elbow over the crutches racked up beside her in the chair. Then she’d launch into a discussion of whether she’d have to wear another cast after she’d returned to hospital for her next appointment at the fracture clinic or might get away with a boot or even a bandage. The meeting had begun by the time Aaron pushed his great-aunt up the drive of Megan’s house and up the side of the building.
He parked Aunt Norma and took one of the garden chairs. He instantly identified Clancy’s back view at the end of the second row. She’d changed out of the plain white T-shirt she’d been wearing when he saw her at the Roundhouse this afternoon because now thin blue straps ran over her shoulders, through loops each side of her dress, and tied together between her shoulder blades.
He was wondering how she tied the bow behind herself like that when someone passed him an A5 sheet of paper headed ‘Parish Meeting 2nd August – AGENDA’, which most people seemed to be using as fans or fly swatters. He saw he’d managed to miss ‘minutes of the last meeting’ and ‘matters arising’ and now they were on ‘Chair’s address’. Megan was currently addressing the fact that the village meeting at De Silva House on the 25th of May had no standing and only at Parish Meetings could votes be held and motions carried.
‘That said,’ Megan went on. ‘A very interesting thing came indirectly from that meeting and that’s that we have a new resident who’s an expert on the internet.’ She sent Clancy a bright smile, who grinned back as if amused at the description. ‘So I’m going to hand over to Clancy Moss and she’s going to talk to us about our options.’
Clancy rose and turned to face the meeting. She looked cool and self-possessed – or, at least, as cool as was possible on a hot, humid summer’s evening – and he was reminded of her status as a businessperson. She’d probably addressed meetings and made presentations as part of her daily life.
A Summer to Remember Page 17