It Started at Sunset Cottage

by Bella Osborne

  “He shouted a lot but I stepped outside as soon as he arrived and pulled the door shut, so I couldn’t have let him in even if I’d wanted to as Sarah has the keys. He kicked the door a few times and now he’s gone off with his bin bags. So, I’m coming over now.”

  “He just called Sarah and I’m guessing by her face he’s had a bit of a go at her, but she’s okay,” said Kate as she joined Sarah on the floor and gave her a hug. Sarah rested her head on Kate’s shoulder. “I’m doing spag bol and pancakes by request. See you soon.”

  “Great, bye.”

  As Kate ended the call her mobile flashed into life again, this time it was an unknown number so she hit the “reject” button and gave Sarah a proper hug.

  “For what it’s worth, I think you’ve done a brave thing today, and the right thing for you and Amy,” said Kate.

  “Thanks. I can’t help thinking that if I hadn’t let him wheedle his way back in again we wouldn’t be in this position, which is definitely a worse one. He’ll be even more of an arsehole now. If that’s possible.”

  “You’ll get through it. Amy seems okay. She’s certainly not bereft at the thought of not living with Shaun. You’ll both be fine. Come on, Andy’s on his way, let’s get the dinner on.”

  Andy had perfect timing as he arrived just as dinner was being piled onto plates. The meal was surprisingly jolly, with Amy updating them on what had happened at school. This was a lot about a game of fairies and a bit about counting. They all had a go at tossing a pancake and the adults all tried to get away with as many innuendos as possible without Amy wondering what was so funny. The general conclusion was that the biggest tosser wasn’t there!

  Kate and Sarah were in the kitchen verbally pulling Shaun apart in whispers, which they both found therapeutic, while Andy was getting slaughtered at junior monopoly, when they heard the van pull onto the gravel outside. Sarah went to the window, her heart racing. Andy was up on his feet and out of the front door before Shaun had turned the engine off. Shaun swung open the driver’s door in an exaggerated motion and dragged himself out of the car. He swayed slightly as he came towards Andy, fist first. Andy simply dodged to one side and let Shaun fall face down on the gravel.

  “Come on, Shaun. Let’s not do this,” said Andy, as he bent down to help him up. The smell of whisky was overpowering. “Bloody hell, mate, how many have you had?”

  “Fuck you, you’re no mate of mine,” he slurred, as he pushed away Andy’s offer of help. Shaun sat himself up on the gravel and put his hand to his face, which was bleeding from two small cuts on his chin and cheek, inflicted by the gravel. “That’s actual bodily harm! That’s a few month’s inside, mate!” Shaun spat the words at Andy.

  “I don’t think so,” shouted Kate from the now-open kitchen window, holding up her mobile phone. “I’ve got it all on video. Shall I upload it on YouTube or just email it to the police?”

  Shaun started to laugh and held his hands up, as if in surrender.

  “Any chance of a coffee and a plaster before I go?” He grinned at Sarah and Kate, who were both peering out of the window at him.

  “No!” shouted both women at once and then high-fived each other. Sarah really liked the feeling of being on the winning team for once. Andy piped up from outside.

  “I think we should call him a taxi.”

  “I’ve got a huge list of things I’d like to call him but there are little ears listening. Let me tell you, there are lots of four-letter words on that list and ‘taxi’ isn’t one of them!” shouted Sarah triumphantly. Andy gave her a look that said he’d hoped for a more adult response. He bent down and hauled Shaun onto his feet and guided him over, so he could lean on the bonnet.

  “Wait there,” he instructed, before marching back inside the house. Both Sarah and Kate turned as he strode into the kitchen. “Look, he is an arsehole, but he’s in a state. We can’t just leave him like this.” Kate’s mobile started to ring again. She glanced at it and saw that it was the same unknown number from earlier and rejected the call again.

  “He’s not coming in,” said Kate, switching off her mobile, “Amy’s in there. You don’t know what he might say or do.”

  “She’s right,” agreed Sarah. Kate opened a cupboard and pulled down a first-aid kit. She got out a strip of plaster, cut off two pieces and handed them, with a couple of squares of kitchen roll, to Andy.

  “Here, he can patch himself up and I’ll call a taxi.”

  “Thanks,” said Andy, taking the things from Kate. Kate headed into the living room and ruffled Amy’s hair as she passed.

  While Kate was calling the local taxi company she could hear raised voices outside again, so she walked back to the kitchen to see what was happening. Shaun had got inside the van, had locked the door, and was shouting at Andy through the part-wound-down window. Sarah was also pitching in from the kitchen.

  “Do you have to leave so soon? I was about to poison your coffee!” she called. It really was making her feel so much better about her decision, to see Shaun for the vile and hateful individual he really was. Andy passed Shaun the plasters and kitchen roll through the gap and made an attempt to grab the car keys through the window, but the gap wasn’t big enough. He managed to retrieve his hand just before Shaun wound the window right up. He stuck his fingers up at Andy and started the engine. Andy was getting frustrated with him now, his usual relaxed manner was gone and his jaw was tight as he went and stood behind Shaun’s car. As Shaun had driven in he was going to have to reverse out and Andy hoped he wasn’t about to add attempted murder to his list of misdemeanours. Shaun put the van in reverse and revved the engine threateningly.

  “Christ!” said Sarah, “He’s going to run Andy over,” and she ran to the front door.

  “I’m really sorry about this. Can you hold? We might not need that cab after all,” said Kate to the patient operator from the taxi firm. Sarah stepped onto the gravel and Shaun slammed the car into first gear and it lurched towards Sarah. At the last second, he yanked the steering wheel around; the van narrowly missed Sarah but ploughed into one of Kate’s pots, careered across the front garden and swerved out of the drive, only missing Andy by a fraction. Kate cancelled the cab and dialled 999 as Andy ran out onto the street just as a perfectly timed police car glided around the corner and blocked Shaun’s exit.

  The next day was Friday and Kate dropped Amy off at school, saw her safely inside and headed off to the convalescent home. Didi was utterly thrilled to see Kate and told her so about five times. Kate was equally pleased to see Didi. Whilst they had exchanged letters and had a few chats on the phone, it really hadn’t been the same. Kate was amazed by how well Didi was looking, and the fact that she was out of bed, fully dressed and walking about had taken Kate quite by surprise. They settled themselves down in a nice corner of one of the lounges and Kate went and got the drinks.

  “So how was my replacement?” asked Kate, with a smile.

  “Worse than useless. Dull as a party political broadcast, but with less smiling. I think she was stealing the biscuits, too. We all started to get rationed. Anyway, she’s gone now and they’re just muddling along. I’m okay. I can get my own drinks. I’m allowed now that I’m mobile.”

  “I can see that. You look terrific. So have they talked to you about when you can go home?”

  “I’ve told them a couple of weeks and then I’m digging a tunnel,” said Didi with a wink.

  “You need to get the okay from the doctor, Didi. You’ve stuck it out this long and it’s clearly done you good.”

  “We’ll see,” smiled Didi.

  “Don’t forget, I’ll take you home and settle you in. I don’t mind sleeping on your sofa for a couple of nights, if you like,” offered Kate.

  “That’s really kind and I’ll say yes to the offer of a lift and no thank you to the babysitting.”

  “Deal. So any other news, like how are things going with your man with the eye operation?”

  “Feeble Kneevil? He fell off his zimmer
frame and ended up back in hospital. I think I may have scared him. I can’t think why,” Didi chuckled. “More importantly, tell me about Timothy Calder,” Didi sat forward in her seat and cupped her coffee mug as she listened intently to Kate’s update.

  “So, no sex then?” asked Didi when Kate had finished.

  “No! You are so naughty,” laughed Kate.

  “And you’ve not heard from him since?”

  “There were a couple of calls to the cottage when he rang to speak to Marcus but that was all. I’ll see him again next week when we start rehearsals.”

  “Did you not swap mobile numbers? Isn’t that what you young people do these days?”

  “He didn’t ask for mine and I wasn’t going to offer it. He’d just think I was being a pushy fan.”

  “Never mind. Perhaps we can fix you up with someone in the film crew. There will be loads of people working on the film set. There must be someone you could take a fancy to.”

  “Really, you’re incorrigible! I’m fine being single, thanks. It’s been two years since James died and …” Kate wasn’t entirely sure what was meant to come next in that sentence, so she sipped her tea instead. Didi leaned forward and patted her knee.

  “You’re doing fine. Just fine.”

  I am, thought Kate. I really am.

  Kate came home to find Andy and Concetta dancing in the kitchen and Sarah rolling about laughing. Concetta was dressed in one of her many amazingly colourful dresses and this one appeared to have extra layers of turquoise and orange underneath that were visible when Andy twirled her around. They came to a finale and Sarah paused the music as Andy and Concetta slumped onto kitchen chairs. Concetta’s breathing sounded reminiscent of an ageing steam train going at full tilt, her rather ample bosom heaving with every breath.

  “Endy, you make me girl again.” She slapped him playfully on the arm and danced out of the kitchen. “Senora,” she nodded and smiled at Kate as she went past. Kate was still standing in the doorway, taking in the bizarre spectacle.

  “You forgot your mobile,” said Andy, handing the phone to Kate.

  “Any update from the police?”

  “Shaun was released on bail this morning, pending a court date. I’ve let the school know that he’s not to pick Amy up because of the drink-driving charge and they were fine about it,” said Sarah.

  “Bugger, I was hoping they’d lock him up, but I guess he’s just looking at a fine,” sighed Kate. “I don’t need to say it, but I will anyway, you and Amy can stay here as long as you like. I love having you both.”

  “Thanks, Kate, you’re a star. Definitely a couple more nights, I think. Maybe we’ll go back on Monday. I’m working at the pub for a long shift this evening, so can you pick her up from school and feed her, please?”

  “I’m working over that way this afternoon. I’ll get Amy, if you let the school know,” suggested Andy.

  “Okay, great. Thanks, guys. I would be a mess without you two.”

  “We know,” said Andy

  “Shut up!” said Sarah, making a fist at him and pretending to punch him.

  “That’s actual bodily harm, that is, mate!” joked Andy. “Right, I have to go. Concetta, me voy en mi coche ahora!”

  “Si, Endy estoy listo,” came the reply.

  “Er, translation please?” asked Sarah, with a quizzical expression.

  “I hope that I said: I’m leaving in my car now, or something similar and Concetta said she was ready to go too.” Andy went a little pink and nervously brushed his fingers through his hair. “I sometimes give her a lift, otherwise it’s a long walk for her.”

  “Oh, okay,” grinned Sarah, as Andy zipped up his coat and held the door open. Concetta waved goodbye as she bustled through it in a blur of turquoise and orange, only partially covered by a zebra-print jacket.

  “Where is she going dressed like that?” asked Kate, once the front door had closed with both Andy and Concetta safely on the other side.

  “In that outfit, my guess would be the Rio carnival!” said Sarah.

  Sarah went to get herself ready for her shift at the pub and emerged looking very smart in black trousers, white shirt and full make-up, with her hair clipped at one side, making her look particularly young.

  “You don’t look old enough to be served, let alone serve customers,” said Kate.

  “You see, that’s why you’re my friend. You make me feel so much better!” They hugged and Sarah left. Kate watched her drive off and then turned around to look at the kitchen. She noticed her mobile on the table and switched it on. There were two messages. The first one was virtually blank, just someone huffing and clicking their phone off. The second one had been left at nine-thirty the night before and it was Tim. Kate pulled out a chair quickly and sat down to listen.

  “Hi Kate… it’s Tim. I was hoping to speak to you but, anyway, I hope this is your number. Marcus gave it to me. I hope that was okay. I was ringing to see if you wanted to catch up this weekend before rehearsals start. Just in case you had any questions about filming. So… that was all. I’ve texted you, so you’ll have my phone number. Bye.” Kate pulled up the text message, which just said, “Tried to call, left a message, please call back on this number. Tim”. Kate stared at it for a little bit and realised that she was smiling. She was a little suspicious as to why Tim would want to catch up with her, especially on a weekend when he could be jetting away anywhere in the world, but she couldn’t help but feel pleased about it, too. She rang the mobile number and it went to an anonymous voicemail much like her own.

  “Hi Tim, it’s Kate. Thanks for the invite. Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner, but we had a bit of a drama here. Anyway, you don’t need to know about that. So, my mobile is now on and I’m free all weekend, so let me know. Bye.” She hoped the message had sounded relaxed. She was starting to realise that she cared what Tim thought about her, and she was keener than she’d realised to see him again. Kate busied herself with emails and collating things she thought she might need for rehearsals on Monday. Her phone rang and she saw it was Andy, which made her give a little disappointed sigh.

  “Hi, Andy, is everything okay?”

  “Hi, Kate. You’re on loudspeaker in the car,” he said.

  “Hi, Kate,” chimed in Amy.

  “Hi, Amy.”

  “We’ve had an idea. Do you fancy bowling, then a film and pizza as Sarah is working?”

  “Have you two been plotting?” asked Kate.

  “Nooooo!” they both insisted.

  “Sounds like a good plan to me. Count me in!”

  “Great! We’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  Kate really enjoyed herself with Andy and Amy. The bowling had been lots of fun and she hadn’t been for ages. Andy was fiercely competitive, but had absolutely no competition from Kate and Amy. They then watched the latest Disney offering, which they all enjoyed, even if the 3-D glasses did give you a bit of a headache. They picked up pizza on the way home and were dividing it up in the kitchen when Kate’s mobile rang. As she had now programmed in Tim’s number, she could see it was him calling. She walked quickly out of the kitchen and headed upstairs, took a deep breath and answered it.

  “Hi, Tim.”

  “Hello, Kate, is that you?” Kate resisted the desire to go “yes, obviously it’s me, you called my mobile”, but instead opted for:

  “Yes, it’s me. Hi, Tim.”

  “Kate, I’m really sorry, something has come up. Er, someone I know is in hospital, so I’m sorry I won’t be about this weekend now. I should be okay for rehearsals, but if not, Pip will keep everyone updated. Okay?”

  “Of course, I’m sorry to hear that. I hope everything is okay.”

  “Sorry, Kate. Bye,” and he was gone. Kate sat down on the end of her bed and stared at the mobile. He had sounded preoccupied, quite different to how he had sounded in his message. Perhaps he had been at a loose end last night and tonight he’d had a better offer. Or perhaps she should stop jumping to conclusions and believ
e what he’d told her, that someone was in hospital. He hadn’t given any clue as to who was in hospital, which struck her as odd. Usually you’d say who they were if they were a relative; you’d say my cousin, my sister, whoever it was, or for anyone else you’d just say a friend. But then Tim had been a bit deep when they’d talked about friends before. She listened to the laughter and squeals coming from downstairs and decided to pull herself together and go and join in before all the pizza disappeared. She also decided to forget about Tim and look forward to the excitement of the film industry on Monday.

  Kate had put Amy to bed and was pleased that she went straight off to sleep despite Sarah not being in the house. Nobody had really questioned why Andy was still staying there. He had just assumed the role of protector and both women were quite happy to let him, given that Shaun was still out there somewhere.

  Kate and Andy watched a documentary before deciding they should go to bed. Sarah had her own key, so there was no need to wait up. Kate was just writing down a couple of things on the shopping list, as they were using things up quite quickly with four people in the house, when the phone rang.

  “Kate, it’s me,” said Sarah. “I’m in A&E.”

  “Oh, God, what’s happened? What’s he done?” asked Kate, fearing the worst.

  “It’s not me, it’s Melanie. I found her as I was leaving the pub. She’s been mugged and they’ve made a mess of her. Phil helped me to get her into the car and I drove her straight here. I’m waiting until her mum gets here.”

  “That’s good of you, considering the trouble she’s caused.”

  “It was Melanie who told the police that Shaun was over the limit last night.”

  “Did he beat her up?”

  “No, he’s smarter than that. There were two thugs, apparently. They took her purse, but they knew her name and they have concentrated on punching her face. She looks awful, Kate. I’m sure Shaun’s behind it. I was ringing you to say you should go to bed. I’ve got a key and I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Sarah, be really careful. Please.”