Ottercombe Bay – Part Three

by Bella Osborne

  Showered, dressed and on her third black coffee she still felt like someone had forcibly transplanted her organs in the night but at least she’d stopped yawning for the time being. She took two paracetamol and forced down some toast, truly hoping it stayed down. Today she was back onsite at the old railway building; she was keen to see how far the workmen had got and if there was any hope of them being open in time for the lantern parade. She was prepared to get stuck in to claw back some time because the longer the delay the less likely it was she’d still be open by the summer.

  She stepped into the fresh November day, took in deep breaths of icy air and lengthened her stride, perhaps a little light exercise might wake her up before she got there?

  She wasn’t surprised to see Max was already there. He was definitely a morning person, with or without a hangover. He was sitting on the platform nursing a takeaway coffee cup.

  ‘How’s your hangover?’ She tapped his head as she passed and started to unlock the doors. It was chilly on the platform.

  ‘What hangover?’ he asked brightly jumping to his feet and joining her at the door. She gave him a doubtful look, there was no way he was hangover free after the amount they had all put away but he just grinned back at her.

  ‘Go on then, let’s see.’ He pointed at the door. Daisy turned the handle and they both hurried inside.

  The smell of freshly sawn timber hit her first. ‘Blimey,’ said Daisy her eyes darting around. It looked quite different. Losing half the wall made it seem much bigger. She ran her fingers along the smooth surface of the newly installed bar top. It was better than she had ever imagined. She turned to face Max. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘I think I want a job here.’

  ‘It’s yours,’ she said, her mouth moving faster than her brain.

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yep. Any evenings you like.’ She didn’t want to think too much about her reasons why. She knew he had experience as a cocktail waiter, and she told herself she would need people she could trust and that someone like Max would be good for dealing with any unruly customers, unless of course they were hen parties.

  The rest of the morning Max was sickeningly upbeat; she guessed it was an act because he had consumed just as much alcohol as she had. Uncharitably she hoped it was taxing him to keep up the pretence. Daisy felt she had learned a valuable lesson – gin was lethal stuff. And she was pleased she had learned it in someone else’s bar and away from the prying eyes of Ottercombe Bay residents. It had also been useful to meet Ross and pick up a number of contacts and tips about starting out in the gin trade and extending the list of gins she wanted to stock.

  They spent the morning putting up the big Ottercombe Bay railway sign and were painting the outside of the window frames when Daisy was faintly aware of a beeping and buzzing sound. She turned to see Max leap off the platform then sprint across the car park, dropping his paintbrush behind him.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ she shouted after him, feeling a shared sense of panic but not knowing why.

  ‘Lifeboat!’ Even though he had shouted it he was already a distance away, making it sound faint, and then he disappeared from view.

  Daisy was rooted to the platform for a few moments, partly in shock at his sudden dramatic departure and partly at the thought of what he was about to do. He was just an ordinary bloke and yet in an instant he was prepared to drop everything and risk his life for a complete stranger. It was mind blowing. And today he was doing it with a hangover. Incredible.

  Daisy went back inside and gave Tamsyn a call. At first when the phone was answered she could only hear heavy breathing.

  ‘Tams? Are you okay?’

  When she spoke she was whispering. ‘I’ve been possessed by a demon.’

  ‘Drink plenty of water, it’s just a hangover.’

  ‘It can’t be. I didn’t feel this bad after I had my appendix out.’

  ‘Take a couple of paracetamol, you’ll be fine.’

  ‘I suspected someone might have a voodoo doll of me and now I know it’s true,’ said Tamsyn, with a groan. ‘Even my hair hurts.’

  Daisy laughed. ‘Okay, take care of yourself and I’ll check you’re still alive tonight.’

  ‘I’d like bouquets of gerberas and pineapples at my funeral,’ said Tamsyn, and the line went dead.

  Daisy was starting to feel she might have got off lightly.

  The lifeboat shout turned out to be an adrift fishing boat despite the person who had called it in being adamant there was someone clinging on to it. A complete waste of time but all of the crew agreed it was far better to bring in an empty boat than a body.

  ‘Max,’ called Jason, quickening his pace to catch him up. Max stopped and waited. ‘How’s your head?’

  ‘Like someone started my post-mortem early, but don’t tell Daisy. I’ve said I’m fine.’

  Jason looked confused. ‘Okay, will do. I have a favour to ask.’

  ‘Sure,’ said Max, as they fell in step with each other.

  ‘Can I borrow the keys to the railway ticket office please?’

  Max was taken aback; his first thought was Jason must be planning on laying in wait for Pasco who was still sleeping in the carriage more nights than he wasn’t despite Max trying to encourage him to leave. He didn’t have anywhere else to go, Max knew this for a fact because he’d checked all the options in a twenty-mile radius. He didn’t like going behind Daisy’s back but he couldn’t see his father sleeping rough – he was guilt ridden either way. ‘Er, why?’

  ‘I don’t want to say.’

  It must be something to do with Dad, he thought. Max stopped walking and after a couple of seconds Jason turned around. ‘Come on Jason, be straight with me.’

  Jason looked at his feet and then slowly looked up. ‘I want to do something nice, that’s all. I promise.’

  Max narrowed his eyes. ‘Nothing to do with my dad?’

  Jason looked puzzled and amused. ‘No. Nothing to do with Pasco. Why? Is he up to mischief again?’

  ‘Mischief? I thought he was public enemy number one.’

  They continued walking. ‘Not since he came to see me,’ said Jason.

  ‘Really? When was this?’ Max was unable to hide his amazement.

  ‘Not long after he was released. He called in to the station to let me know he was back. We talked through his plans. He seems to be sorting his life out.’

  Max couldn’t help an involuntary laugh escaping. ‘Seriously, you didn’t fall for that old crap, did you? Don’t they send you on courses to spot liars like him?’

  ‘I don’t think he was lying, Max. Maybe you should try giving him another chance.’

  Max stopped dead and Jason held his hands up in surrender. ‘It was just a suggestion.’

  ‘Bloody stupid suggestion,’ grumbled Max. After a lifetime of being let down it would take a lot for him to trust Pasco again.

  ‘Sorry. Anyway, can I have the keys sometime?’

  ‘We’re not working on Sunday; the builders will be there in the morning sorting the guttering but you can have the keys all day if you like.’ Max would have to make sure Pasco made himself scarce because that was a whole can of worms he could do without releasing into the wild right now.

  Chapter Three

  Daisy was having a well-earned Sunday afternoon nap when her phone rang and dragged her from a lovely dream involving Rufus Sewell. Actually, she hoped it was Rufus Sewell because as she came to the man in her dream looked a bit more like Pasco. ‘Eww,’ she said with a shiver. Some dreams were really messed up. ‘Hi,’ she said into her phone, barely registering who had rung.

  ‘Hi Daisy. Could you come down to the railway please?’

  ‘Jason. Hi. What’s happened?’ All sorts of thoughts rushed through her mind and none of them pleasant.

  ‘Oh, nothing,’ he said with a chuckle. ‘I just need you to pop down in say half an hour? Okay?’

  ‘Er, why?’

  ‘There’s absolutely nothing to worry about.’


  ‘Is this a surprise? Because I hate … Hello, Jason?’ The call had ended and Daisy stared at the phone. What on earth was going on? She racked her brains as to what bylaw she might have violated and her mind leapt to Max and the carpet. What had he done with it?

  She was feeling slightly more awake when she opened the door to someone bouncing around a lot like Tigger, but less stripey. Tamsyn was jumping about as if she was on something quite strong, her loose bunches springing around her shoulders.

  ‘What’s going on?’ asked Daisy with a yawn.

  ‘I can’t say,’ said Tamsyn, balling her fists up near her face like a child on Christmas morning.

  ‘But you do know?’

  ‘No,’ said Tamsyn.

  Daisy grinned. ‘Then why are you excited?’

  ‘I don’t know. But Jason told me it’s something special and it has to be good then, doesn’t it?’

  ‘I guess,’ said Daisy, not convinced. She hated the anticipation and the not knowing, it churned her stomach up. The doorbell sounded again and she went to see who it was. This many visitors on a Sunday was unheard of.

  ‘Hi,’ she said to a bored-looking Max.

  ‘I’ve been summoned to the railway building. I thought we might as well all go down together.’

  ‘You too?’ The mystery was growing making Daisy uneasy.

  ‘Apparently,’ said Max, with his usual nonchalant air.

  ‘What’s going on then?’ asked Aunt Coral emerging from the living room.

  ‘Jason has planned something special and we’re all to go to the railway building now,’ said Tamsyn, checking her watch and starting to gesticulate wildly at the door.

  ‘Oh, let me grab my coat,’ said Aunt Coral and the others exchanged looks.

  ‘Why not?’ said Daisy. ‘The more the merrier. Let’s get this over with.’

  ‘I’ll drive,’ said Aunt Coral grabbing her keys.

  The makeshift gate was already open and Tamsyn drove straight in. Jason was standing outside the door looking very smiley indeed. Daisy was in the back with Max and her stomach did another flip as she scanned the area, but she couldn’t see any obvious changes. She could see Max doing the same and he looked apprehensive too. They exchanged grimaces and the car pulled to a halt.

  ‘This stop is Ottercombe Bay, everyone leaving us here please take all your belongings,’ said Tamsyn in a nasally train announcer voice. Aunt Coral giggled and got out of the car. Daisy and Max climbed out of the back seats and followed an over-excited Tamsyn up onto the platform where they all exchanged welcomes with Jason.

  Daisy tried to peek inside the window but it was too dark to see anything. Jason jangled the keys to get everyone’s attention and Daisy clocked they were Max’s set. She gave him a questioning look but he just pouted in reply.

  ‘Thanks for coming at short notice—’ started Jason.

  ‘Get on with it, Jay,’ said Max fidgeting from one foot to the other.

  ‘Right, yes. I wanted to do something to the building, which I hope you will all think is an improvement.’ Daisy’s eyebrows shot up, she had a bad feeling about this. ‘I hope you like it,’ he said, flinging open the door and standing back. Daisy thought she might be sick. What had he done? She wasn’t sure if she wanted to look because when she had left it yesterday it was all looking pretty perfect as the carpenter had been in and it was actually starting to look like a bar.

  She stepped gingerly inside, her eyes darting about in a frantic search to spot the surprise. If he’d wallpapered her beautiful bare brick wall she’d kill him. Daisy was still scanning the room when a small whirring noise started above her head and made everyone look up. At picture-rail height there was now a narrow shelf going all the way around the room and on it were two model trains zipping along. Daisy’s frown changed to a smile – it was difficult to do anything else while watching the trains whizz around the track.

  Jason popped an anxious face around the doorframe. ‘Do you like it?’

  It was the last thing she was expecting to see, but it fitted in perfectly. ‘I love it, thank you,’ she said, giving him a brief kiss on the cheek. ‘But what did all this cost, Jason?’ She followed the trains around the room and back again noting the little touches of model shops, people, stations and trees dotted along the model trains’ route.

  ‘Nothing. The track and those trains are Reg’s from the shed.’

  ‘You’re kidding me?’

  ‘Nope, straight up. And I have another three engines in perfect working order so you can swap them over to add a little interest.’

  ‘I can’t believe they still work after being in our damp old shed for ages,’ said Aunt Coral.

  ‘They just needed a little TLC and some lubricant and they were good to go,’ said Jason. When Max sniggered behind him Jason gave him a stern look.

  ‘Roll me in glitter and call me a unicorn,’ shrieked Tamsyn, making Aunt Coral put her hands over her ears. ‘You are bloody brilliant,’ she added, launching herself at Jason and proceeding to kiss him firmly on the lips. She released him and they gazed at each other – both looking stunned. Jason licked his lips. Tamsyn pulled him back to her and they staggered out onto the platform. Once outside the chill of the day didn’t seem to dampen their embrace and the kissing continued.

  ‘I like it too, but I’m not snogging you,’ called Max to Jason. ‘Thank God those two have finally got it together.’

  ‘Well, it’s a lovely surprise,’ said Aunt Coral, apparently oblivious to what was in full swing outside. ‘It will be an excellent draw for children, and it’s too high for them to reach,’ she continued but Daisy and Max weren’t listening – they were watching Jason and Tamsyn through the window.

  ‘Get a room,’ called Max and Daisy elbowed him in the ribs.

  ‘I’m so proud of you, Daisy,’ said Aunt Coral. ‘You have done such a brilliant thing in restoring this old building. Reg would have been thrilled.’ She wiped away a tear and Daisy gave her a hug. She wasn’t sure why but she was feeling emotional too. Perhaps it was having everyone there and seeing it nearly finished.

  ‘Can we go now?’ asked Max, looking tired and bored. ‘I’m missing the football for this,’ he protested, when he was met with hard stares.

  ‘Okay,’ said Daisy linking arms with her aunt and walking outside. Jason and Tamsyn were in a particularly passionate embrace as they passed them, with Jason now pinned to the Ottercombe Bay sign.

  ‘Mind my sign,’ said Daisy.

  ‘All aboard,’ said Max, followed by an imitation of a train whistle.

  Tamsyn suddenly pushed Jason away and started to gasp for breath.

  ‘What’s the matter? Tamsyn?’ Jason was trying to comfort her but she was firmly pushing him away.

  ‘Please go,’ she said, holding a hand to her chest as she took a gulp of air.

  ‘Jason, please,’ said Daisy, putting an arm around Tamsyn. Jason nodded and backed away. She had no idea why Tamsyn was reacting like this but if she had asked him to leave then Daisy felt she should support her and find out her reasons later – however Tamsyn-style bonkers they may be.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Daisy asked, distressed by Tamsyn’s obvious discomfort.

  ‘Can’t breathe?’ gasped Tamsyn, and she started to shake.

  ‘Are you asthmatic?’ asked Daisy.

  ‘Are you allergic to coppers?’ asked Max, who received a death stare from both Daisy and Aunt Coral.

  Tamsyn shook her head and took a big rasping breath.

  ‘Max, my prescription’s in the boot, get it would you?’ instructed Aunt Coral stepping forward. ‘Tamsyn, now calm down. You’re getting yourself flustered.’

  Max came back with the prescription bag and handed it over.

  Aunt Coral tipped out the box of painkillers and gave the empty paper bag to Tamsyn. ‘Breath into this. Deep and slow,’ said Aunt Coral who had a comforting arm around Tamsyn’s shoulder whilst Jason paced about, a safe distance away, at the other end of the ca
r park.

  Max tapped Daisy on the shoulder and beckoned her to one side. ‘Should I call the quack? Or an ambulance?’ he asked, keeping his voice to a fraction above a whisper. He shot another look at Tamsyn who was doing as she’d been told and looked most odd as the crackling bag rhythmically inflated and deflated.

  ‘No, I think it’s a panic attack,’ said Daisy, concern etched on her face.

  ‘What’s she panicking about? Kissing Jason?’ He stepped back and failed to hide a splutter of laughter with a fake cough.

  ‘I don’t know, but stop being mean.’ Although Daisy could feel a snigger tickling the corners of her own lips.

  ‘See, you think it’s funny,’ said Max, poking Daisy in the ribs making her snort out a laugh. Aunt Coral shot Daisy a look and she punched Max on the arm.

  ‘Stop it,’ Daisy said, going all serious.

  She went to join Tamsyn – if she stayed with Max he’d get her into more mischief. ‘I think we should get you home,’ she said to Tamsyn and the paper bag bobbed up and down in agreement.

  Back at Aunt Coral’s there was lots more fussing around Tamsyn and sweet tea for everyone, although Daisy had no idea why. She figured it was Aunt Coral’s default answer to anything traumatic, however minor. When Tamsyn’s breathing had returned to normal and her face looked the right colour, Daisy decided it was time for some answers.

  ‘What happened back there, Tams?’

  Tamsyn puffed out a breath and put down her cup. She pouted and appeared to be thinking through her answer. ‘At first, it was “Hurray. I’m kissing Jason” and then I realised it wouldn’t work out and I felt like I’d won and lost him all in the space of one kiss and then my heart went all thumpy and I couldn’t breathe.’

  Daisy was frowning as she tried to make sense of it. ‘You realised from one kiss your relationship with Jason wouldn’t work?’

  ‘Yes,’ nodded Tamsyn emphatically.