by Paul Kelly
"I don't know any fucking Marisa and as I've said already, you can get the hell out of it. GOODBYE."
Alison was quite happy to leave things like that. She knew that the person at Ken's flat, if indeed it was the person she suspected it to be, would surely tell him about her call. The 'female' staying at Ken's flat, if it wasn't Marisa, would want to know who this Marisa was and how much competition she had with her. Alison was sure of that.
Two days later, Rosie phoned her again.
"Alison, I've had Ken on the phone," she said,
"Oh yes, and what did he have to say?"
"Do you know someone by the name of Marisa?" Rosie asked and Alison raised her eyebrows. The trick was working.
"Yes, I think I know who you mean, why?"
"Well Ken told me to behave myself and not to phone his number again, but Alison, I haven't phoned him in ages and I really don't want to phone him again."
"And what did he mean when he spoke about Marisa?"
"I don't really know Alison. He said something about Marisa being an all rounder and that she would do anything he asked her."
"And did you know what he meant by that Rosie?"
"No, I didn't. I don't know any Marisa and I couldn't understand what he was talking about."
"Yes, you do know Marisa, Rosie. You met her in the Century pub that night when you went in there for Bossyboot's crisps, remember?"
Rosie thought hard for a few moments.
"Alison ... Could that be the tart he was fondling?" she asked.
"Yes, the same 'tart' who attended you this morning when you needed medical attention, but she didn't have her make-up on at that time of the morning and besides, she wouldn't be able to use make up in her other job."
"Other job? What do you mean, Alison.?"
"The famous Marisa or rather the infamous Marisa is an agency midwife who works part time at the Denver Street clinic and my guess is that when she knew who YOU were, getting her information from her lover boy, Ken, she put an end to your pains alright ... and everything else besides."
"Alison do you mean ...?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. After all, you weren't bleeding when she came to your flat, were you?"
Rosie was slow to answer, but when she did, she started to cry.
"Alison, you're not telling me that she aborted my baby, are you?"
Well, you think about it Rosie. No bleeding, only pain and then the next thing, the little one was gone."
Chapter Twenty Eight
Alison could hardly keep her mind on her work at the cafe, for worrying about Rosie who was now resting, but she still didn't know exactly who that 'lady' was who answered the telephone in Ken Royle's flat every evening. Could she be a lodger? Well that was anyone's guess, but Alison had her own idea and she had resolved to satisfy her curiosity once and for all with one final sweep.
She looked around to see if there was anyone waiting to be served, but the cafe was very quiet as she went into the back room to use the telephone.
"Hello," she said sweetly, "It's that pest again who phones you regularly, remember?"
"FUCK OFF," the 'lady shouted down the phone before she banged it down, but Alison was determined as she rang the number again,
"FUCK OFF," came the answer a second time, but before the phone could be put down on Alison, she swiftly got her message through.
"Did you tell lover boy about Marisa, darling and what did he say to that?"
There was a long silence on the phone after that.
"Who the hell are you and what do you know about 'lover boy?'"
Alison decided at this moment to take the bull by the horns. In for a penny; in for a pound, she thought.
"Now, now Frieda," she said, making sure that she pronounced the name very clearly, "You don't need to know my name, but if I were you, I'd take a look through 'lover boy's ' diary. You might find it interesting. Goodbye."
When Alison put her phone down, she leapt for joy, thinking of Ken Royle's face when the infamous Frieda set about him to find out the secrets of his life ... if she didn't already know them. Alison didn't care what Frieda thought about her or whether she recognised her voice on the telephone or not, but she hoped her identity would be secure if there were any more tricks she could play on her ex-husband and his 'concubines' as she laughed her way back to the cafe tables to find several young men waiting to be served.
Mr. Humphries telephoned shortly afterwards to tell Alison that he wouldn't be in to work for a few days as his son had been taken ill and was in hospital and Alison knew that would mean more than a few days as Mrs. Humphries had been bedridden for some years past and she knew all his time would be taken up looking after her, if his son wasn’t around. Mr. Humphries being away from the cafe didn't present much of a problem for Alison as she was quite happy to do his shift together with her own, if necessary, but she was already standing in for Rosie who wouldn't be in for at least a week. She went home that evening, wondering how she would manage the following day when the prospects were that she would have to run the cafe on her own, ALL DAY for goodness knows how long.
"Hello, is that you Dillon?"
"Yes Alison, I know your voice. Can I get daddy to speak to you? He is sitting reading at the moment,"
"No, don't disturb him darling. Is he feeling better?"
"Yes, he's a lot better today Alison and I think he would like to speak to you."
Alison waited anxiously to hear the news and hoped that Daniel was indeed better than he had been just a few days ago.
"Hello Alison, How are you?"
"Daniel, it's me who should be asking you that."
Daniel transferred the earpiece to his other ear.
"I'm a lot better today thank you. It's just that sometimes I get relapses, but I'm used to that. Sometimes I don't speak as well as I'd like to, or my hearing isn't what it should be, but these are small things to put up with. I'm fine, really. Much better than some others I know who have M.S."
"I'm so glad and I only phoned to say that I won't be able to come to see Dillon ... or you, for the next few weeks as Rosie is off sick and so is my boss, so I have to run the cafe on my own for a while. I'm sorry about that, so I hope you won't need anything in that time."
There was a long silence until Daniel spoke again.
"Does that mean you will have to work all day? Isn't there someone else who could help you, especially as it is only for such a short time?"
"No, there's no-one Daniel. Its not a specialised job anyway, so I don't have to have any special training to serve coffee and biscuits, do I?" She laughed, but Daniel sounded very concerned.
"How many hours are there in your shift, when there's full staff at the cafe?" he asked and Alison told him it was only four or five.
"Well don't worry about not coming to see us," he said, "and do take care of yourself and don't work too hard."
"I'll do that and thanks," she said with a lump in her throat as she hated having to tell Daniel that she wouldn't be able to see him for some time, "Bye Daniel and YOU take care, Bye."
The following day when Alison arrived at the cafe to begin her day’s work,
at eight in the morning, she got a shock to see Daniel and Dillon standing at the cafe door waiting for her to arrive.
"What are you doing here so early?" she asked, "I'll have to get the kettles boiled and a hundred other things to do before I can serve you anything," she added, but Dillon put his arms around her and smiled up into her face.
"Daddy and I are here to help you with your work," the little boy chanted as if what he had to say was a song.
"But ... but I don't understand. I can't allow ..."
"Just open the place up." said Daniel, "I've brought Dillon along with me as I couldn't leave him all alone
at home. Well not all day anyway and I wanted to know how I could help with four or five hours to spare."
Alison struggled with her keys as she opened the door.
"But Daniel, I can't let you do this. It's not right," she said,
"Why not?" asked Dillon and Alison looked from the little boy to his father, delighted to see them both, but still annoyed that they should think of helping her at her work in the cafe.
"You don't know what to do and ..."
"Well that's why we are here, so that you can show us," said Daniel, "It doesn't take a brain specialist to serve coffee and biscuits, does it?"
"But Daniel. You are ..."
"I'm ILL, is that what you want to say? Well, I'm not ill. Not in the least. I have a 'condition' which only affects me from time to time and at the moment, I am fine, so let's get to it."
Alison spent the day happier than she had spent any other day for a very long time, with her two eager assistants. Daniel stayed at the cafe until nearly two o'clock that first day and sent Dillon home by taxi around ten that morning.
"I can't say how much I appreciate your help, Daniel, " she said shortly after Dillon had left them with a bag full of chocolate biscuits. and I am sure Mr. Humphries will appreciate that too. I'll see that you are paid the same rate as a regular assistant. You deserve it. You've worked as though you had done this kind of work all your life."
Daniel grinned happily and started to whistle.
"It's good that I have something to occupy my mind when I'm not teaching and as you know, it's the school holidays and apart from a few private pupils, I have lots of time on my hands, but Alison ..."
"Yes, Daniel?"
"I won't bring Dillon with me tomorrow, if that's alright?. You see I didn't know how long I would be staying today and if the time I have spent with you here is sufficient to help you out, then he will be able to stay at the flat until I get back again. I just didn't want to leave him if I was away all day."
"Daniel, I don't want you to spend any time here that might put Dillon in trouble or in any danger. You must realize that."
"Yes, yes, of course," replied Daniel, but I just wanted to know the lay of the land and I can spend about four or five hours at the cafe if that helps ... well, until either Rosie or Mr. Humphries is able to come back."
"Daniel, that's more than helpful. It's not as if I'm rushed off my feet and it has been quieter in the last few weeks actually and I don't expect to be left on my own for very long, but please put Dillon first; that's important."
Daniel sighed heavily as he lowered his head.
"I couldn't do more than two weeks anyway. I have to be in court on the twenty-fourth," he said and Alison stopped what she was doing immediately.
"Court?" she enquired, "What do you mean, Daniel? Are you in some sort of trouble?"
He smiled sadly and threw his head back.
"Its the divorce thing," he replied, "Frieda is making waves about that and I don't know how I stand."
"But you told me that she left you, Daniel and went off with another man, so if that's the case, you should be O.K. with any evidence that has to come up, surely?"
"Yes, she left me, but the court doesn't moralize. It means only that our assets, if you can call it that, have to be split and as I say, I think she's gonna fleece me for every penny I've got."
Alison excused herself from the conversation as two ladies came into the cafe and she had to attend to them.
"I'll be back in a few moments, Daniel" she gasped, "Please don't go ... Please wait just for a little while."
She hurriedly attended to the two ladies who seemed to take ages to order a coffee and some cream cakes, before she could return to Daniel.
"Surely the court will realize that none of this is your concern, Daniel," she gasped between heavy breaths and Daniel told her to sit down and recollect herself. but she continued gasping and ignored his help. "You never wanted this divorce," she went on,"Where the hell is British justice if what you say is true. How can anyone get away with doing what Frieda has done to you and be praised for doing it?"
Daniel raised his eyebrows and smiled.
"But you have been through a divorce, just as I am doing," he said, but Alison put her hand in the air.
"No, Daniel. We parted amicably, even if we were never friends. You should have walked away from this business altogether and ignored that bastard."
"Yes, in hindsight I suppose you are right, but when all this started, I felt it was totally wrong just to let things slide and let Frieda go her own way without a fight. I see where I went wrong now, after having paid out over fifteen thousand pounds and for nothing. She will win this case. I think the woman always gets the better of the judges from what I understand. Maybe if I hadn't been so bloody proud I would have been better off."
"I feel so ashamed of being a woman, when you say that," Alison replied as she untied her apron and put a sign in the cafe door window that they were closed for the day.
"I'm coming home with you and we'll talk this through some more," she said, even if Daniel insisted that she should stay at the cafe.
"No. I don't care about the job any more and besides, if old bossy ... sorry, Mr. Humphries hadn't got me here, he would have had to employ someone else to care for the place when he's not here himself."
Chapter Twenty Nine
The journey back to Daniel's flat seemed to take ages as they had to take the bus to get there and he apologised, saying that his car had a flat tyre and he hadn't thought to fix it as he felt he and Dillon were the only ones who would lose out ... and also the walk to the cafe was to do them both good. Alison sat in silence on the bus.
"If you wouldn't mind making a cuppa for Dillon when we get in, I'll get on with that tyre now. I'll have it fixed in no time, O.K?"
Alison nodded as she put her hand out to touch Daniel's arm.
"You know I'd do anything for that little boy ... and you too? she added,"and if you can't manage that tyre, I'll do that too."
"What can't you do?" he asked as they approached the bus stop where they had to alight.
Dillon threw his arms around her as she came into the flat and Daniel squinted as he looked on in amusement, especially when the little boy almost dragged Alison's coat from her shoulders to hang it on the hallstand
"You could have been his mum, by the way he treats you," he said and Alison wished ... but Daniel would commit himself no more as he made his way to the back of the flat where the car was parked.
"I'll have this tyre fixed in no time," he shouted,"but a cuppa wouldn't go amiss when I've finished."
The cuppa had hardly been poured into the three mugs that Dillon had laid out on the kitchen table, when Daniel returned and started to wash his hands and blow hard as though he had tackled a difficult job, Dillon laughed, but Alison stood still as she watched him dry his hands.
"I told you I could have done that," she said and Daniel simply went on drying his hands as if she hadn't spoken at all.
"That tea looks inviting," he said, "Dillon, where's your manners? What's happened to the biscuits?"
"Sorry daddy, I wasn't thinking. Here they are and Alison has put some new biscuits in the tin, I can see."
Alison smiled and bowed ... I didn't think you saw me put them there the last time I called, but I could see you were going short and ..." she said being interrupted by more hugs from Dillon.
"Are you alright?" she asked Daniel as he sat down on the sofa,"You looked a little puffed when you came back from the tyre business."
Daniel shook his head and smiled, showing his dimple to be more attractive than Alison had noticed before.
"I just get a little out of breath when I bend for any length of time," he said, “but I have told you so many times, there is nothing to worry about as far as I am concerne
d."
"Not as far as daddy is concerned," Dillon chimed in almost immediately Daniel had stopped speaking, but Alison wasn't satisfied with the answer she got.
"I have had worse times than that, if you must know," Daniel went on, "but I don't want to alarm you. Most MS sufferers have far worse than I have ever had."
"What has been your worst experience since you've been diagnosed," Alison asked as she crossed her legs and waited anxiously to hear the worst, but Daniel shook his head again and shrugged his shoulders to tell her that nothing he had experienced was worth talking about, nevertheless Alison insisted.
"I want to help, whatever these experiences have been and I am a nurse, remember. . ."
"WAS a nurse," Daniel emphasised, but Alison would have none of it.
"Once a nurse, always a nurse," she said and Daniel raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"I thought it was once a priest, always a priest, or something like that, but I didn't think nurses were included in that holy lot."
"Oh! don't get me wrong," she replied, "It's just that when you have been trained as a nurse, you never ever lose that experience unless you lose your memory or drop dead," she explained, "Please tell me what you're thinking at this moment?"
Daniel sat back in the sofa and placed his mug on the table before him.
"A few months back, I became rather ill and that set back even surprised me to some extent."
Alison leaned forward to hear more.
"Yes, and what happened then?" she asked.
"I couldn't speak. My hearing was rather impaired and my eyes were dimmed."
"Daniel, that is a serious way to be," Alison explained. "Did you call a nurse or a doctor?"
Daniel looked down at the floor and waited for a few more moments before he spoke again.
"Alison, you are a good nurse. I am sure of that, but when a person has MS and is afflicted in the way I have just described ... and believe me, that is not the worst that can happen to MS sufferers as I keep on telling you, I have been very fortunate in my set-backs but as I have said, when you get into the state I was in, you couldn't even reach for the phone, so how the hell could I have called a nurse or a doctor?"