‘Leave him alone,’ she shouted.
The aggressor started to laugh. ‘Shitting hell. Who’s this? Super gran?’
‘Leave her out of it, Kemp,’ said Tom, before leaning into Maggie’s ear. ‘He’s not worth it.’
‘Oh, I know he’s not,’ she said. ‘Get your phone out,’ she added in a whisper. ‘I know who you are,’ she said to Kemp.
‘Who’s that then?’ Kemp was still looking entertained.
‘You’re the scum who stole my bag.’
‘What?’ said Tom.
‘Prove it, old woman,’ said Kemp, no longer looking amused.
‘I recognise your voice,’ she said. ‘I just need to call the police and—’
Kemp reared up over Maggie. ‘You don’t want to do that,’ he said his voice almost a snarl.
‘Why ever not?’ asked Maggie, standing her ground, her shoulders back and her chin held high.
‘Seriously. Leave it. You’ll get hurt,’ said Tom, fiddling with his phone.
‘You should listen to Harris.’
‘I was talking to you, Kemp,’ said Tom.
‘You’ve had fair warning,’ said Maggie, raising a fist.
Kemp snorted a laugh. ‘It will literally be the last thing you do,’ he said reaching out and grabbing Maggie around the throat.
What happened next happened like it was on fast forward. Within seconds Kemp was lying on the ground clutching his ribs while blood poured from his nose.
Maggie leaned over Kemp’s crumpled figure. ‘And we got that on videotape. So unless you want the police to see you assaulting me or even better your cronies seeing me kick your backside, you need to straighten yourself out. Got it?’
‘Harris! I want that deleted!’ yelled Kemp.
‘Don’t you dare go after him,’ snapped Maggie. ‘Because if you do the rest of my family will beat you to a pulp. Got it?’ Maggie’s voice had an edge to it and her lie was convincing. Kemp swallowed hard. ‘All we want is the muggings to stop. As long as there’s no more, this video will never be released. One more mugging and…’
‘Okay. I get it,’ said Kemp, shuffling himself upright and inspecting the blood dripping down his clothes.
‘Good. Come on, Tom, they’ll be wondering where we’ve got to,’ said Maggie her voice back to normal. Tom shrugged his shoulders at Kemp with an “I did warn you” look on his face and Maggie strode off like nothing had happened.
45
TOM
Dad’s gone all quiet since the demo. Even quieter than usual, which means it’s basically silent all the time. I don’t know if that’s worse than him ranting at me. I can tell he’s disappointed that I chose to go to the demo rather than the interview and it’s eating away at me like a zombie. If I don’t get decent GCSE results then I’ll have to retake them and he’s gonna be all “I told you so” and “You could have been earning good money at the factory” and it’s going to proper do my head in because worst of all he’ll be right.
It was weird waking up and realising that there’s no more GCSEs and no more school until September. I’m not sure what I’m going to do now. Some mates are doing National Citizen Service, which sounds cool but it costs fifty quid. With money tight there was no point asking Dad if I could do it. I’m back doing a weekday paper round but that doesn’t pay much. I should probably get a job for the summer. I’ll have a think about that but for today, at least, I’m going to chill out.
I heard Dad sneaking about. It was well early for him. My stomach clenched. What was he up to now? I’d had a good check around the house last night for any stashed booze and couldn’t find any. I tried to look in the shed but it was locked up and the key wasn’t in the drawer where we usually keep it. I tried looking through the shed window but all I could see was the lawnmower and spider’s webs.
I crept out of bed, slung some clothes on and went downstairs. Maybe I should try talking to him. If he’s having a relapse and he needs to get help, I could suggest that. I’d do pretty much anything to avoid him going back to how he was. I stuck my head around the living room door and then in the kitchen but there was no sign of him. He couldn’t have vanished. I put my shoes on. If I left now I might be able to do a better job of following him. Last time Farah and I were useless. This time I needed to do better.
I opened the front door and then shut it quickly because Dad was going out through the gate. I counted to ten and opened the door again. He’d not seen me and he was now at the end of the road. I checked I’d got my keys and my phone and I followed him. Ours is a sleepy village and at that time on a Saturday morning there’s nobody around making it hard to keep him in sight and not be seen. I kept dodging in and out of driveways and behind overgrown bushes like a rubbish spy.
He crossed the road by the shops and I hung back or he’d see me for sure. The bus pulled in and I used it as cover.
‘Well, hello,’ said Maggie, getting off the bus. ‘To what do I owe this pleasure?’
What was she on about? I frowned at her. ‘I’m not here to meet you. I’m following Dad.’
‘Oh.’ Her expression changed. ‘That makes more sense. Look, Tom. I know I hurt you and—’
‘It’s okay.’
‘But it’s not. It’s damaged our friendship and I’m truly sorry about that.’
I shrugged. ‘I’m not mad at you anymore.’ The truth was I missed her.
‘Does that mean we can put it behind us?’ she asked.
‘Sure.’ I wanted things to go back to how they had been too.
Maggie walked in step with me and we watched Dad cross the green. ‘Mind me asking why he’s under surveillance?’
‘I think he’s drinking again.’
‘Ah. That’s not good. He’s gone past the pub though – that’s a positive sign.’
‘It’s not open yet. Come on we’re losing him.’ I started to stride it out and Maggie kept up no problem. It was good to have her with me. If I ended up confronting him she was excellent backup. She was well early for book club but then old people hated being late for stuff.
After about five minutes we were heading out of the village and nearing the new estate. I say new because that’s what everyone calls it but it’s been there as long as I can remember. ‘Have you any idea where he’s going?’ asked Maggie.
‘Not a clue.’ I’d been trying to think as we walked but he never came up here or at least I thought he didn’t. I covered the area on my paper round and all that was there was houses. They were well nice houses, some with double garages and new cars outside.
‘No friends up this way?’
‘Nope.’ Actually, now I thought about it, Dad didn’t have any friends. Certainly none he mentioned. He didn’t call or text anyone or meet people for a drink. It struck me that maybe he was as lonely as me. Poor Dad, we’d had more in common than I’d realised. I’d had my Xbox and he’d had his whisky. What a sad pair we’d been. I looked across at Maggie and she smiled warmly back at me. Meeting Maggie had changed things. Dad needed a friend like Maggie.
‘Exam results end of August is it?’ Maggie asked.
‘Yeah. Third week of August.’
‘Well, try to forget about them until then. You’ve worked hard and you can’t do anything about them now.’
‘But what if I’ve ballsed it right up?’ I kept my eye on Dad as he turned a corner up ahead.
‘Well, I doubt that you have, but you cross that bridge when you come to it.’
I knew she was right but it didn’t stop it messing with my head. ‘I think I might get a job just for the summer like.’
‘Great idea. Doing what?’
Maggie had a knack of chucking spanners in. What sort of job could I do? Too young for bar work and not qualified for anything else. ‘I dunno.’
‘I could ask Savage if he needs a hand. If you’re interested.’
‘Ye-ah, that’d be awesome.’
‘No guarantees and he’s a tight old bugger who won’t pay much but I know he had t
o hire in last year and he wasn’t that impressed with them.’
‘Will you do me a reference?’ I took my eyes off Dad to look at her. Her face was warm and full of pride.
‘It’d be my pleasure.’ She patted me affectionately on the back. It let me know she cared and I’d missed that. We’d reached the corner where Dad had turned right. I slowed and we both looked down the road. It was completely empty apart from a few parked cars – but no sign of Dad.
‘Where’d he go?’ I said as I looked up and down the street like a crazy person. He’d vanished.
‘He’s either turned off further up or he’s gone inside one of these houses,’ said Maggie calmly. She leaned against the lamppost.
The next road was too far ahead for him to have made it that far. ‘Why would he go inside?’ So many questions were running through my mind. Did he have a girlfriend? I was disgusted at the thought of it. Or a drinking buddy? Or maybe it was a new friend from Alcoholics Anonymous. If it was a friend then why sneak about?
‘I suggest we wait and see if he comes out.’ She checked her watch and I leaned against the lamppost too.
‘Thanks for coming with me,’ I said.
‘You couldn’t have stopped me. I love a mystery.’ Her eyes twinkled as she spoke and it made me smile. She was full of mischief. I’d really missed being around her.
‘This job with Savage, would it be every day?’
‘Yes, right through until autumn. There’s loads to do on a farm this time of year.’
‘Do you think he’d pay my bus fare on top?’ I knew it was cheeky but if anyone had the balls to ask him it would be Maggie.
She laughed. ‘No. But you can stay at mine. If it suits you.’ She gave a nonchalant shrug.
I glanced up the road to see Dad reversing down a path and waving at someone. ‘Look out he’s leaving.’
We both reversed back around the corner. I was wishing I’d worked out what I was going to say to him. I expected him to walk back towards us but instead he came out of one gate and went up the next path. ‘What’s he doing?’
‘Come on,’ said Maggie and she marched off towards Dad.
‘Whoa!’ But it was pointless. She was like a sniper’s bullet – fixed on her target and there was no stopping her. I jogged to keep up. ‘Let me handle this.’ I sounded a lot more confident than I was.
Maggie let me go in front and I slowed down as I neared the house he’d just left. I could hear him talking. He was standing on the doorstep chatting to a woman. He sounded totally different. Not like Dad at all.
‘Brilliant. Thanks. Should be next week but I’ve got your number if not. Bye then,’ Dad said, in his fake cheery voice and he turned to leave. His face when he clocked me and Maggie standing on the pavement watching him was something I’ll always remember. Rabbit in headlights was an understatement – more like rabbit facing a battalion of monster trucks.
He looked shifty as he dashed down the path and waved us back the way we’d come. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’ The penny seemed to drop before I had chance to answer. ‘You’re following me? Why the hell are you following me?’ He was glaring at Maggie now.
‘I asked her to come.’ I didn’t want him having a go at Maggie.
‘Why?’ he asked, sounding cross.
I was working out what to say when Maggie beat me to it. ‘Because the poor lad thinks you’re drinking again and he’s worried sick about you,’ said Maggie. ‘Sorry, Tom,’ she added in a soft voice. ‘He needs to know.’
Dad’s expression changed. ‘Did ya really think that?’ I nodded. ‘I’m not, son. I promise.’
It was a relief to hear him say it. ‘Then what are you doing?’ I asked.
The front door of the house Dad had just visited reopened and a slim woman came out. ‘Ooh, I’m glad I’ve caught you,’ she said striding up to Dad. ‘You know I will have that nude set, if you can add it to my order.’
Maggie and I looked at Dad as his face turned the colour of a ripe tomato. It was something I could relate to. He turned his back on us and spoke to the lady in his new cheery voice. ‘Of course. One nude foundation palette. No problem. You won’t regret it.’ He pulled a form from his bag and scribbled something on it. He showed it to the woman who seemed very happy. She thanked him and went back inside. Maggie and I turned our questioning eyes back on Dad.
‘What’s going on?’ I asked.
His shoulders slumped forward. ‘I’m trying to make some extra cash.’ He pulled a booklet from his bag and handed it to me without making eye contact.
I looked at the heavily made-up woman’s face smiling back at me from the cover. ‘Avon? Make-up, perfume and stuff?’ I flicked through the brochure. ‘You’re the Avon lady?’ I couldn’t help the snort that came out. Maggie elbowed me in the ribs. She was probably right to. It must have been well embarrassing for Dad.
‘I think seeking out additional ways to make money is most commendable,’ said Maggie.
Dad turned his attention to her. ‘It’s a nice little earner to be honest with you. It’s early days but the orders are coming in thick and fast.’ Dad seemed really proud of himself. I couldn’t ever remember him looking like that before.
‘Well done, Dad.’ I handed back the brochure.
‘Thanks. Look I need to get round all of this estate so…’
‘Of course,’ said Maggie. ‘We’ve got book club at the library.’
‘Book club. You?’ said Dad, pointing at me.
I stood up straight. ‘Yeah. I like book club and if you don’t take the… mickey out of it, I’ll say nothing about you selling Avon.’
‘Deal,’ said Dad, thrusting out his hand and we shook on it.
46
MAGGIE
Maggie savoured how lovely it was to stroll back through Compton Mallow with Tom. He was chattier than he had been of late – the barriers between them were starting to dismantle and it warmed her heart. Although Tom hadn’t said so he was obviously relieved that his dad hadn’t relapsed. He found the Avon job far more entertaining than she did. So much for this generation and their liberal views, thought Maggie.
‘This job with Savage,’ said Tom.
‘It’s merely an idea. He might not need anyone.’
‘Sure. But if he does, would it be like a proper job or is it like the stuff I did for you?’ Maggie opened her mouth to protest but he waved it away like you would a wasp. ‘I saw the log pile. And the animals are all fine. You don’t need me. You don’t need anyone.’
‘That’s where you’re wrong, Tom. I can manage alone but I very much enjoyed not having to. And correct me if I’m wrong but I thought you got something out of it too.’
He gave her a shy smile. ‘You know I love it at your place.’
‘And I loved having you. You’re welcome anytime.’
‘That’s nice of you, Maggie, but I know I cost money to feed.’
‘That’s not a problem. I’m not rich but I’m not short of a bob or two.’ She gave a chuckle.
Tom gave her a sideways look. ‘Huh? But you can’t afford a car.’
She shook her head. ‘Correction – I don’t own a car.’
‘You use your free bus pass.’
‘Because I think cars are bad for the environment and running a tractor and the quad bike is more than my fair share of CO2 emissions.’
Tom remained puzzled. ‘You don’t have credit cards.’
‘Because they’re made of plastic.’
Tom snorted a laugh. ‘You’re quality you are, Maggie.’
‘Thank you,’ she said, rather primly and slightly unsure as to whether it was a compliment or not. ‘Why don’t you get the bus back with me after book club and we’ll tackle Savage about summer work at the farm?’
‘Cool.’
There were more people in the library than usual. Perhaps the penny had finally dropped that locals needed to use it more if they wanted it to stay. There were some new members for book club and Tom was kept busy helping peo
ple get online. Christine was distracted and understandably so. She’d heard nothing from the council and there were only five days left until the library’s official closing date. But despite this there was something different in the air. There was a buzz about the place and even if it was its last hurrah, Maggie was pleased to have witnessed it.
After a lively book club they’d said their goodbyes before Tom and Maggie caught the bus to Furrow’s Cross. The rapport they’d once enjoyed was slowly returning as their relationship healed. They chatted on the way about everything and nothing as if racing to catch up on the time they’d lost. When they got off at their stop Maggie paused at the letterbox to collect her post and Savage’s. From her letterbox she pulled out a leaflet about pizza delivery, a white envelope and an ominous-looking brown one. Maggie studied the latter for a second before plunging it into her pocket. Tom was asking about the merits of different sheep breeds and she tuned in and out as they walked up to Savage’s, her mind distracted by the brown envelope.
‘Right,’ said Maggie, stopping Tom a few feet from the door. ‘He’s a grumpy old bugger. You’d best let me lead on this.’
‘Actually,’ said Tom, running his bottom lip through his teeth. ‘Can I give it a go?’
Maggie lifted her chin. ‘Of course you can. I’ll be here if you need me.’ She took a step back.
‘Thanks.’ Tom rapped on the door and it was answered with a flurry of barks and the sound of boots on stone floor.
The door opened and a harassed-looking Savage glared at Tom. ‘Yes?’
‘Hello, Mr Savage. I’m Tom. I wondered if you had any summer jobs available.’
‘No, thank you,’ said Savage and he went to shut the door.
Tom put his hand out to stop the door shutting. ‘I did some work for Maggie and I think some sort of farm work might be what I want to do as a career…’
‘Really?’ asked Maggie butting in.
‘Yeah. I love the outdoors and the animals and everything about it,’ gushed Tom with a shy smile.
The Library Page 27