by Lucy Daniels
‘Thank goodness.’ He heaved a sigh as if enormously relieved.
Susan’s stomach churned. She couldn’t do this. She just couldn’t. She ought to tell Douglas about her fear of heights, but he seemed so delighted that she hadn’t done it before. His expression was that of a pleased puppy.
‘Hello!’ A new voice sounded behind them and Susan turned. It was Jimmy Marsh. He looked happy to see them, grinning at Douglas, then turning to Susan and giving her a little wink. Susan felt herself blush. Was he laughing at her and Douglas coming here for a hot date? Probably not, she reminded herself – it was Jimmy’s own place, after all, and Jimmy had brought Mandy here for their first outing. He probably thought it perfectly suitable. She felt sick nonetheless. It was bad enough that she was going to do the rope course at all. Doing it in front of Jimmy as well as Douglas was mortifying. What if she couldn’t even make it up to the first platform?
Douglas’s smile had returned to full wattage as he held out a hand to Jimmy. ‘Afternoon,’ he bellowed, looking delighted. ‘Good to see you again.’
‘Hi, Susan,’ said Jimmy.
Douglas glanced from Jimmy to Susan and then back again. ‘Do you two know each other?’ he asked.
Susan managed a tight smile. ‘We do,’ she admitted. ‘Hi, Jimmy.’
Douglas had finished pumping Jimmy’s hand. ‘Really?’ he said. For a second he looked bewildered. So much so that Susan suddenly wanted to laugh despite her nerves.
Jimmy cleared his throat. ‘Through her friend Mandy,’ he offered. ‘She’s my girlfriend.’
‘Oh! Mandy, the lady I met in York! The vet!’ Douglas’s face had brightened again.
‘That’s right.’ Jimmy led them into the little wooden hut. ‘You’ll need some gloves,’ he said. He held out a pair of lightweight leather gloves to Susan, then rooted in a drawer for some larger ones for Douglas. ‘Okay?’ he asked.
Susan nodded her thanks.
‘Great.’ Douglas beamed.
Susan put on the gloves and then donned the helmet that Jimmy gave her. If she’d been worried about her trainers, it was nothing to how she would look with this on, she thought. She’d spent ages doing her hair. There was nothing for it, though.
They walked outside and made their way across the paddock to the edge of the wood. Susan couldn’t help but feel a little bit reassured. The rope constructions looked sturdy and safe. But she almost gasped when she saw how high the first platform was. There wasn’t much of a breeze down here, but the topmost branches were moving. A narrow set of wooden steps led up to it. Jimmy clipped a safety rope onto each of them.
Douglas gave her a bright smile. ‘Would you like to go first?’ he asked, pointing.
‘No! Thanks. You go on,’ Susan said, through gritted teeth. Douglas practically bounded up the ladder-like staircase onto the little wooden stage. He turned round with his arms outstretched, whooped loudly, then waved. ‘Fantastic,’ he yelled. ‘Come on up, Susan. There’s a brilliant view.’
Susan could barely bring herself to look up. Douglas wasn’t even holding on.
‘Okay, Susan,’ Jimmy said. ‘You next.’
It’s fine, she told herself. You can do this, it’ll be great.
Her heart was in her mouth. She put her foot on the first step. She was half expecting it to collapse, but in fact it was firm under her foot. She lifted her other foot, stepped up. By the time she was halfway up, her knees were so shaky that she had to stop. Jimmy was close behind her. She had to resist the temptation to turn and cling to him. Why were there no handrails? Above her head, there was a low branch. It was swaying. To go any further, she was going to have to duck underneath it.
Nope, I can’t do it, she thought. I just can’t.
Behind her, Jimmy was waiting. ‘Are you okay, Susan?’ he asked. There was nothing but patience in his voice.
‘No.’ The truth was out before she could even think.
‘Is there anything I can do?’
Susan was frozen. Her head was spinning. Above her helmet, the branch was moving to and fro, just at the edge of her vision.
‘We can go back down,’ Jimmy said.
Susan frowned, trying to calm down and focus on the ladder in front of her. If she said yes, he wouldn’t judge her. But a wave of sudden determination passed over her. If Douglas was going to make her come on this terrible idea for a date, she definitely wasn’t going to let him see her frightened or embarrassed.
She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again. The momentary dizziness had passed. ‘You can go up on all fours if you prefer,’ Jimmy suggested. ‘There’s no right or wrong way to do it. I’m right behind you. You’re quite safe.’
‘Thanks, Jimmy.’ Taking a deep breath, she leaned forward, placed her hands on the steps in front of her, and clinging tightly, she made her way past the swinging branch and on upwards.
She had half expected to find Douglas standing on his hands, or doing something equally crazy, but when she finally made it and put her palms on the platform, there was worry in his eyes.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked. ‘I’m so sorry, I never thought to check if you didn’t like heights! We don’t have to carry on. If you’d rather go somewhere else or go home, it’s quite all right.’ He crouched down and took her hand.
With his help, Susan eased herself upright and onto the platform. If she didn’t look down, it wasn’t as bad as she’d thought. They were right next to the solidity of the tree trunk.
‘I’m really sorry,’ he repeated. He hadn’t let go of her hand. He was holding on tightly as if he knew just how scared she was. ‘Would you rather go back down?’
Though her legs were trembling, with her hand in Douglas’s and her back against the tree trunk, Susan risked a look round. Her heart was in her mouth but it was certainly an experience to be right up here in the branches. He’d been right about the view – to one side she could see right into the canopy of the wood, and to the other they could look over and see the roofs of Upper Welford Hall poking up between the branches.
Ahead of them was a cargo net. It was nice and wide. Susan took a long, deep breath. Maybe it would actually be easier to go on than to navigate her way back down those stairs. Douglas squeezed her fingers and she felt a little strength returning. ‘Yeah. I want to carry on,’ she said. If she sounded sure enough, perhaps even she would begin to believe it herself.
‘You’re doing really well,’ Douglas said.
‘You really are,’ said Jimmy, who had arrived on the platform beside them. Douglas held on to Susan’s hand until she gripped the rope and began to climb the net. He followed after her, and a few moments later they had eased themselves over the top and were sitting on the platform at the far side.
There was a rope bridge next. ‘How would you like to do this?’ Douglas asked. ‘If I go first, I can wait for you on the other side?’
Susan nodded. Her knees felt a bit weak again as she glanced down.
‘Don’t look,’ Douglas urged her. He smiled, sending her reassurance. ‘Hold on with both hands and look straight ahead.’
He went first, swinging across the bridge, making it look effortless. Then it was Susan’s turn. She did as he’d said, holding on to the guide ropes with both hands. The bridge was wobbly, and it was an incredibly long way down …
Don’t look. One foot forward, then the next. Douglas was waiting for her at the far side. She looked up at him, and saw that he was pulling a funny face at her. She laughed, despite herself, as he did a little jig on the platform. He looked like an idiot, but he was doing it to keep her attention off the long drop to the ground, and weirdly, it actually helped.
He took her hand again as she stepped off the bridge. ‘You’re so brave,’ he said.
‘Oh shut up,’ she replied. ‘You’re just saying that because I nearly had a heart attack coming up the ladder.’
‘Well, yeah.’ His fingers were warm and steady. Susan felt as if some of his courage was flowing into her. ‘
It’s not brave if you’re not scared.’
He smiled. There was real warmth in his gaze. For a moment, she felt butterflies in her stomach.
Douglas let go of her hand as Jimmy caught up with them and the moment passed. Susan felt a swoop of disappointment, but then she wanted to laugh. What had she expected? That he would kiss her right there and then, halfway up a tree with Jimmy watching? And … why did she suddenly feel like that might be okay?
By the time they got to the final section, Susan’s muscles were aching. She had made it up and down several more nets, crossed what had felt like hundreds of swinging logs and slithered upside down along a kind of rope tunnel. Douglas had stopped to help her several times. Each time there had been that gentle smile, or a funny face. Now they had reached the final element. Susan’s heart was in her mouth. It was a rope swing into a cargo net. Despite her success so far, Susan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of terror at the huge gap.
‘Hold on here,’ Jimmy showed them, ‘just above this knot. When you let go, the net will catch you.’
Susan was suddenly shaking again. What would happen, she thought, if she couldn’t hold on and let go too soon? Would she crash down to the forest floor?
‘May I go first?’ Douglas asked.
‘Be my guest,’ Susan said. She wasn’t at all sure that she would be able to do it. Her hands were shaking and her grip felt weak.
‘Thanks.’ He seemed genuinely grateful, as if she’d done him a favour.
He grasped the rope and pushed off, swinging crazily across the divide, then as he reached the end of his swing, he let go with a yell of delight. A moment later, he landed squarely in the centre of the net, bounced once, then stood up. ‘Brilliant,’ he shouted. Before Susan knew what was happening, he made his way to the edge of the net and dropped to the ground. He rushed across the gap. Hand over hand, he climbed back up the ladder to the platform where Susan was waiting with Jimmy.
‘How are you feeling?’ he asked Susan.
She shook her head slightly. ‘Really quite sick,’ she said and he laughed as she pulled a face.
‘Would you mind if I had another go?’ he asked. The puppy-like enthusiasm was back in full force. He couldn’t help himself, she thought. He was throwing himself into this, heart and soul.
She shook her head. ‘Of course I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘You go on.’
‘But you will give it a go?’ he urged. ‘It really is fun.’
Susan nodded. ‘I will,’ she said.
She watched as Douglas swung again, flinging himself into mid-air as if he hadn’t a care in the world. What would it be like to be him? Susan wondered. Not that she was a coward. She had always prided herself on her strength – and it had got her up those damn steps right at the beginning, after all. But Douglas seemed fearless. He landed in the net again, then swung down over the edge and landed on the ground in a heap. He clambered to his feet, laughing. ‘Oops,’ he called.
‘How about it?’ Jimmy had waited with Susan. He had pulled the rope back over and was looking at her. Susan took hold of the rope. Her weight was back against the net, leaning away from the drop. She was trying not to look down, but Douglas appeared below her and she couldn’t help herself. He was gazing up and smiling. To her amazement, he raised an arm, opened his mouth and began to sing. His voice was strong, a fine baritone, surprisingly sweet.
‘Swing, Susan, swing. Have no fear.
Across the divide. I will be here.
Swing, Susan, swing, though your heart is aflutter.
And to go with your cheese I will buy you some butter.’
Susan laughed. It was ridiculous but she couldn’t deny that it was funny. She grasped the rope more tightly. Taking a deep breath, her fingers gripped. She pushed herself off with all her might. Then she was swooping through the air. The wind was freezing, but she felt amazing – as if she was flying! It wasn’t hard to keep her grip on the rope at all. She finally let go and her heart skipped a beat as she tumbled into the net, landing on her back, then bounced once, twice, then came to a stop.
She felt breathlessly happy. In the distance, she could hear both Douglas and Jimmy cheering. Her cheeks felt hot as she slithered to the bottom of the net and swung down to the ground. Douglas was waiting for her. He hugged her, and for a brief moment he held her close. ‘Fantastic,’ he said.
‘It actually was.’ He loosened her and she stood firm: trembling but exhilarated. She had done it. By the time Jimmy arrived, she was breathing easily again. They walked back through the trees, across the paddock and back into the little hut.
‘That was wonderful,’ Douglas said, grinning at Jimmy. ‘Thank you.’
‘You both did really well,’ Jimmy said. He looked happy as he took their helmets and gloves. ‘’Specially you Susan. It’s not easy if you don’t like heights.’ He turned to Douglas. ‘You should come back another day,’ he said. ‘I think you’d enjoy the high-wire even more.’
‘That sounds great,’ Douglas said.
‘That … sounds like something I’d probably enjoy, with advance warning,’ Susan said, giving Douglas a sly, gentle elbow in the ribs.
They walked back up to the car park. Though Susan was feeling great, her footsteps were slow. She hadn’t looked forward to this date, but now it was almost at an end, she realised it had been wonderful to have a few hours doing something utterly different.
‘Can I interest you in a coffee?’ Douglas said. ‘I hear there’s a nice café here.’
‘Yes please,’ she said.
Douglas smiled as if her reply was the most satisfying thing he’d ever heard. He ushered her through the stone archway. On the far side, there was a small cobbled courtyard. There were little shops to one side selling cheese and woollen goods and other local items. In the centre there was a Christmas tree. There was a stall selling toffee apples and the sweet scent reached her on the chilly air.
She’d hoped for this, she thought. Right back at the beginning of their date. And now they were here.
Directly opposite, there was an even higher archway that looked as if it had once been the entrance to a barn. It was glassed in.
Douglas led her across and into a friendly looking café with a row of tables and chairs against another huge window. Through the glass, she could see down into the most enormous milking parlour. It was like a huge wheel, turning slowly. As she watched, a cow walked into one of the gaps on the revolving platform and on the other side, another was released. A red-haired dairyman in blue overalls was attaching the milking machine to the first cow’s udder. It was a strangely fascinating sight to watch over coffee, even for Susan who had lived in rural Welford for years and years.
‘Cappuccino?’ Douglas suggested.
Ten minutes later, they were sitting at one of the tables, sipping coffee. Beyond the glass, the cows strolled in and out and the man in the boilersuit worked away.
‘Mesmerising, isn’t it?’ Douglas said eventually.
‘It’s kind of great,’ Susan said. She turned her full attention to him. This really was turning out to be the most unusual date she’d ever been on. ‘Almost as good as that rope swing.’
Douglas laughed, ran a finger round the handle of the coffee cup, then looked up and into her eyes. ‘I hope you enjoyed it,’ he said. ‘I’m so sorry I never thought to ask if you liked heights.’
Susan smiled. ‘It was okay in the end,’ she assured him.
‘That’s good,’ he said. His voice was earnest. ‘So how long have you been in Welford?’ he asked.
Susan found herself telling him about herself easily. About how she had come here when she was twelve with her parents. About Welford and Mandy and Hope Meadows and her mum. He gazed at her as she spoke as if everything she said was fascinating. She needn’t have worried that he would be loud or embarrassing. Finally, she took a deep breath and mentioned Jack.
Douglas’s eyes widened. ‘The Jack I met in your nursery class? He’s a lovely little chap! You must be very pr
oud of him.’
And just like that, the moment was over. Like it was no big deal whatsoever. A feeling of warmth flooded through her. He really is a great guy, she thought to herself as they chatted on.
‘Would you be able to show me Hope Meadows sometime?’ he asked. ‘I’m always looking for inspiration for writing. And Mandy seemed lovely, from what I saw of her in York.’
‘She is lovely,’ Susan agreed. ‘I’ll get in touch with her. I’m sure she’d be happy to show us around.’
Douglas glanced at his phone. A startled expression leaped into his eyes. ‘Goodness,’ he said, ‘I didn’t realise it was so late. I’m awfully sorry, but I’m going to have to go. I’ve an evening session in Walton library.’ He looked flustered. ‘I can drop you off,’ he said. His blue eyes were mortified. ‘I’m really sorry to have to rush you.’
Susan smiled at his consternation. ‘It’s no problem. It’s nice that you’re in such high demand.’
Susan pushed her chair out and lifted her jacket. Douglas helped her put it on and she thanked him. She hadn’t expected him to be a gentleman, but somehow it seemed the most natural thing in the world.
He dropped her off beside the church near her cottage, and as she turned the corner, she felt the first drops of rain against her face, but the change in the weather didn’t dent her mood.
It would be nice to see him again, she thought. She had utterly misjudged him. Even if he was sometimes a bit awkward, his heart was in the right place, and there was a grown man behind all the puppy-like capering. She smiled to herself as she rounded the final bend. The rain was falling faster, but she pulled her collar up around her neck.
Then she stopped dead. Despite the dimness of the light, she could see a form just ahead, and it was painfully familiar. She felt her heart miss a beat.
Jack’s father was standing on her doorstep.
Chapter Nine
He was standing very still and for a moment, Susan couldn’t move either. Michael Chalk, Susan’s ex and Jack’s biological father, who had deserted them both before Jack was born, was outside her house. Fury rose like a hot wave through her body. She barely felt her feet as she marched towards him.