A Rough Kind of Magic

by Louise James

  “I have to keep chasing her along.” he smugly told their friends at dinner or the pub. ‘She has a lazy streak so she has and it’s myself has to keep on at her then she turns out some brilliant work. The best in the business when you keep after her.” This was such a blatant lie Olwen could have strangled him with his own tie. She worked her best away from him thus causing more complaints She had left a note as well as telling him it was over she knew either he’d be furious or ignore the situation later coaxing and promising all sorts until she either lost her temper and threw things or gave in then he would laugh, ducking out of the door returning late with an unsuitable present or a take away pretending it had never happened.

  There would probably be a shouting match when she returned anyway, she couldn’t see him leaving quietly it would probably mean waiting for him to leave the flat and changing the locks. She could only hope that he was as unhappy as she was and just leave.

  As she approached Hereford she had to slow down as the traffic was heavy, no point in killing herself or anyone else. Her anger was fading now leaving a strong urge to cry, slowly leaving the city she tried to look forward to a peaceful weekend. It was always restful at granny’s house with her dog Samuel Peeps, who had funny eyes, she smiled at the thought of him, she would love a dog one day. She pulled into the drive switching off the engine with a sigh of thankfulness feeling drained. It was getting dark and soft lights from the cottage glowed welcome, the door opened Bronwyn stood wearing a flowered apron a huge cat in her arms. As the security light came on Olwen lifted her holdall and briefcase before giving her a hug, cat and all. Samuel Peepes came rushing through barking as he just realised someone had come and he hadn’t noticed only subsiding after he had done his greeting bit which involved licking Olwen’s hands and face as she bent to give him a cuddle.

  “Come on in, Girl. He doesn’t feel the cold like we do, it’s heading for a cold wet night. There is a stew on, your favourite and a hot cup of tea waiting. Go and sit by the fire and take Marmaduke with you, Lisa is hogging the best chair as usual you will have to move her.”

  Olwen entered the warm cottage the dog bounding around her his wall eyes shining a welcome as he pestered for attention. Olwen immediately felt herself relaxing as the smell of beef stew and rosemary filled the little kitchen.

  “Granny, you don’t know how good this is. I needed a bit of loving care.”

  “Not going well? Haven’t you got rid of him yet? By the look of you it’s about time that you did.”

  “Almost did Granny. Tonight was the last row I hope.” She told what had happened that morning. Bronwyn was more than indignant.

  “I told you bed before marriage was a mistake and marriage before proper courtship no use at all. You don’t know the man; thank God you didn’t get married to him. He’s not going to change, you should have put him out a year ago or not had him in the first place would have been better. If you don’t you’ll lose your looks, your talent and then you’ll lose him anyway”

  “Oh! Granny that’s a bit strong”

  “It’s the truth and you know it. Now sit and eat before you fade away.”

  The stew was delicious, that and the warm fire almost had Olwen asleep before she’d finished. The cats lay watching her with dreamy eyes.

  Bronwyn gathered up the dishes moving into the kitchen closely followed by a hopeful Samuel Peeps, “Not strong enough” she called back over her shoulder “Quit while you’re ahead. He’s not going to leave until he finds himself a yes girl whom he can manipulate. He should have a couple of dogs; train them to obedience. I don’t understand him he’s a talented educated man who should know better.” At the word dogs Samuel Peepes gave a sharp bark. Olwen laughed.

  “Changing the subject, any gossip going?”

  “A new neighbour at Graig-y-dorth.”

  “Oh! Have you met them yet?

  “A single young man by all accounts but he’s not well by the looks of him, drives too fast in one of those low slung types that won’t last two minutes on that road.”

  Olwen stretched and yawned; an indignant cat fell off her lap giving her a nasty look before leaping onto another chair. “Are you seeing things again, Granny? How do you know he’s ill”

  “He looks sort of haunted. Good looking chap for all that, the village girls will be after him”

  “What did he tell you? When is he moving in? Is he on his own? Surly that place has gone too far to save?”

  Bronwyn refilled their cups placing a plate of flapjacks on the coffee table.

  “My! We do want to know a lot don’t we? I think we should get rid of the other one first.’ Olwen laughed. I think it’s sort of exciting reclaiming an old place like that.’

  “How do you know? He may be going to pull it down and rebuild.”

  “I hope not, I think it’s a quaint sort of cottage what I have seen of it. Maybe we’ll take a walk up there tomorrow have a look around.’ Bronwyn gave her an odd look. “Won’t be anybody there, it hasn’t happened yet.’

  Olwen pulled the band from her hair letting the shawl of red gold flow down her back. “All the more reason for taking a look. I’m off to bed Gran. See you in the morning.”

  “Good night Lass, sleep tight and no dreams about strange young men.”

  Laughing, Olwen kissed her, hugged Samuel Peepes then taking a handful of flapjacks ran up the stairs. The little bedroom was warm and lit with a full moon. She stood a while looking out to the mountains bathed in bright moonlight. The stars were appearing one by one in the blue velvet sky. She caught her breath; how peaceful it all looked, she didn’t want to go back to Worcester. She loved her job but would give anything to stay in the mountains that loomed silent and silver but her work was there and here was a dream she could only indulge in when she could make time. One day she would live here she promised herself. ‘When I retire and am old and grey.’ She smiled turning to her bed where a large white cat lay in the centre.

  “Liza Dolittle! I didn’t see you sneak up the stairs. I think you had better go back down or we’ll both be in trouble” picking her up for a cuddle Olwen pushed her gently out before closing the door and climbing into bed where she soon fell asleep with the moon on her face.

  Chapter 7

  Greg spent the next few days sorting his possessions. Stephanie and he had furnished the flat with care. Everything designed for comfort and luxury. The huge cream suite would be no use at the cottage and would be better sold at auction as would the smoked glass dining suite, mahogany bookcases and display cabinets. The aquarium could go. He still had several tall lamps left intact from his onslaught, his television, music centre and huge music collection; these he would keep along with his small bedside television, books, bedding and linen. Everything else he must sell; he needed every penny he could get. The huge velvet drapes and carpets would go with the flat. By the evening he had two lists; one of things to keep and one for the auctioneer. That evening although tired and in some pain he sorted draws and papers and phoned his parents. Later he rang Ray and warned him he would have a guest over the weekend. Ray whooped the other end of the phone.

  “I’ll ring a couple of the girls we’ll have a night out.”

  “No thanks Ray save it. I want to talk. You can get some beers in though.”

  ‘Sounds good to me’

  Greg was determined he was going to tell Ray tonight. Dreading it as he knew his lifelong friend would be very upset but it could not go on any longer

  The next two days found Greg unwell, overdone with travelling, the emotional scenes with his parents and his own excitement over the farm. He lay on the settee in pain and fatigue praying he wasn’t going to die yet. Another day and he felt well enough for telly and a book. He ate little but began to feel better and able to continue with his plans. He kept his appointment with Mr Mcloughlin, informing of a possible move but not of his plans, visited his dentist
and barber, made an appointment with his solicitor about his will and went shopping for boots and country shoes also a heavy anorak and a couple of pairs of jeans.

  He bought presents for Lee, Patsy and Samantha spending an evening having dinner with them managing to make his move sound like a career change. He hated saying goodbye to little Sammy but he presented her with a huge fluffy cat which she kept in her arms until bedtime when she climbed on his knee to kiss goodnight.

  “Come back soon, Uncle Greg.” His eyes filled with tears as he hugged her tight.

  “I’ll try hard.” he promised.

  Lee suggested a game of whist which they played until midnight with banter and laughter, parting with promises of holidays and visits.

  The next day Greg met with Tom and his wife for lunch. Tom was delighted to see him but a little embarrassed to tell him that a new technician had already been invited to look over the laboratories as Greg’s notice had been accepted there was every chance the post would be offered to him; Greg determined not to cause any problems for Tom offered his services for a day or two to ease the new man into the project that he had been involved in. Tom greatly relieved accepted gladly inviting Greg to fly out to the rig with him the following week. Greg accepting arranged to stay out until the following weekend, wanting to say farewell to his colleagues but depressed at having to give up a job he enjoyed so much.

  By the weekend Greg felt that he had lived a lifetime. Most of his bigger decisions had been made so it came as a fitting closure to receive in the afternoon post a letter from the agents in Abergavenny. He sat holding it looking at the postmark.

  “You have really burned your boats now old son” If this is a no thank you, you have a problem with one behind it. You have finished here so what would you do? If it’s yes you have a bigger problem. Am I really up for all this?”

  He tore open the envelope. The words leapt out at him, his offer had been accepted. He shrunk back in his chair. What had he done? The reality hit him suddenly. How was he going to cope? What a stupid thing to have done; to buy a farmhouse miles from anywhere that he couldn’t work or rebuild, no one around, no income, no one with him and likely to fall ill at any time. Very soon he must give up his vehicle, he would be stuck in the wilds with no hope of getting anywhere ;maybe too ill to even phone, if there was a signal anyway. He must cancel the deal and go home to his parents that would be the sensible thing to do. He was suddenly frightened. All that evening he knew what he had to do, he tossed and turned all night only falling into a deep sleep around dawn.

  The morning was bright and sunny. Greg felt his spirits rise when he awoke and felt well. Over breakfast he read the letter from the agents again. As he did so he felt strongly that something was pulling him towards the little farm. So what if it didn’t work out? He could always sell it and then go to his parents or they would come to him. He wanted to give it a go. Intense excitement gripped him again, hurriedly throwing a few things in a grip he locked up and drove around to the estate agents dropped the keys through their door and drove out of town. Eight miles out he pulled up in front of a well-kept garage. Loud music led him into the interior, seeing no one around he went back to the forecourt filled his car then stuck his head around the door of the cash office where Dave Stone, Ray’s business partner was staring blankly at a pile of forms.

  “Hi Dave, Ray about?”

  “Hello Greg, no he left about ten minutes ago. How are you doing? How was Wales? Ray said you had been down, think he was jealous.” Dave’s face creased which meant he was smiling. “Want a cuppa.”

  “No thanks, Dave, I’d better get after him before he meets some girl and I lose him altogether.”

  “Don’t think so Greg, by what he was saying he was looking forward to you coming”

  “Well, I’ll just go and nail him down. How’s trade?”

  “Not bad, not bad at all. Want to join us?”

  “Come on Dave. How many times have you asked me that? Here you had better have my card seeing I’ve just filled up or is it on the house as your doing so well?”

  Dave’s face creased again. “Not that well, Hey! Before you go back, let’s have a few beers one night. Come over to the house, Liz will cook us a meal. Make it soon. When are you going back to the rig?”

  “I’m not Dave. I’ve bought a little farm in the hills, going to retire.”

  “Good God alive! Greg, you’re only thirty something? You come into money or what?”

  “Or what” Greg grinned. “I’ll have to tell Ray first or he’ll never forgive me, get him to tell you about it Monday morning and yes to the invite. I’ll give you a bell real soon. See you.”

  “So long Greg, soon mind.”

  Greg waved and flashed his lights, he liked Dave and his family; Ray had been in partnership with him ever since his Grandmother died five years ago leaving Ray her house and sharing her money between him and his married sister Jenny.

  The mock Georgian residence was the most unlikely place you’d expect to find Ray living but live here he did and was doing well. he lived between the garage and his side line restoring old cars, not rich but able to enjoy a few luxuries like the boat that he and Greg often had fun with.

  Ray was a golden, curly haired charmer, five foot ten, merry blue eyes and a pick –up truck his many girlfriends all had one thing in common, each hoping to win Ray and his house. There was always someone waiting to do his washing, cooking or cleaning trying her best to impress him with her housewifely skills. He however played the field never short of a partner on his arm or waiting in the wings, not one had won his heart for long and although he was never hurtful or unkind he made sure they knew where they stood backing off eventually disappointed or heartbroken as they realised they were only one of many. For years Greg had laughed and teased him.

  “One day, my boy you are going to meet your waterloo and I will be best man at your wedding or you’ll end up heartbroken. I’ll say serve you right, no sympathy at all”

  Ray merely chuckled waving his little black book at him. “Your only jealous,’ love em and leave’ that’s me. I don’t know if it’s me or the house they are after do I or maybe it’s the boat they ‘re after?”

  “You don’t wait long enough to find out.” Greg retorted. “How are you going to find out whose genuine? You wait and see you’ll let the wrong one go one day.” Ray made a rude remark. A few days later he would introduce another girl with a wicked glint in his eye. For all that Ray was a great mate and a loyal one. Their friendship dated from their teens when they had an accident, both their motorbikes meeting on a bend in a head on collision. Ray suffered a broken arm and ribs, Greg had a broken leg, both bikes a write off. They visited each other, blamed each other and had been fast friends ever since. They shared hobbies of fishing, boating and restoring old cars. Greg’s sense of humour matched by Ray’s light hearted approach to life had led them into much mischief over the years. Greg felt that telling Ray about his illness was going to be as bad if not worse than telling his parents. He dreaded it.

  As soon as he arrived at Ray’s house against his better judgement they hit the town. A few drinks, a meal, some pool more drinks. Two thirty they fell into bed and slept until ten. Greg was woken by Ray plonking coffee down by the bed and uttering one word ‘boat’ Greg came down the stairs to hear Ray on the phone to his girlfriend Sheena. “It’s the boat today Girlie. Greg’s here, ring Mandy. Pick you up in fifteen minutes.’ They picked up some beer, picnic and headed out for the day.

  In spite of himself Greg enjoyed it, a light breeze, clear skies, good company. He took his turn at the wheel; the usual banter kept them laughing and the beer from the cooler was good. He liked Mandy, a buxom friendly girl that he had been out with a few times. She had always made it clear that she would like more than a casual friendship but Greg had kept it light. They stayed out till six coming in with the tide. As they moored in the harbour Shee
na was coaxing Ray.

  “Come on Ray, don’t be a spoilsport, let’s get changed and go up the club.” Greg’s heart sank he knew what sort of night it would be and knew that he wasn’t up to it but to his surprise Ray stood firm.

  “Not tonight, girls sorry but Greg’s only here for one more night and that’s boys night”

  “Don’t be rotten Ray. You were both out last night, come on its early yet.” Sheena protested. “It’s been a smashing day, let’s end it properly.”

  “Sorry love no you and Mandy go and see some film or something.”

  “Perhaps Greg wants to take Mandy out she hasn’t seen him for a while. Don’t be so selfish Ray it’s not all about you” Ray put an arm around Sheena and led her aside. Mandy turned her brown eyes on Greg lifting her shapely eyebrows.

  “While they are sorting themselves out, let’s make our own arrangements, shall we? Let’s go back to my place and I’ll fix us some supper. My flat is just down town and you haven’t seen it yet.”

  Greg looked at her appreciatively, she was certainly a cutie, a mass of dark girls framed a pretty heart-shaped face tumbled over her shoulders and around tiny ears; big brown eyes and a sweet smile almost shook his plans. He liked her a great deal but a night with her was not in his plans; besides he was Ray’s guest and he needed to talk to him and so far there had been no chance. Ray and Sheena came back her head held high, her eyes bright.