Lil's Bus Trip

by Judy Leigh

  ‘Oh, yes.’ Maggie gasped, turning to hug Lil for comfort. Albert wrapped an arm round them both. The three of them shivered; the drizzle had begun again. The customs officers with the dogs scrambled off the bus and rushed back into the office and Cassie followed them.

  Lil watched as several figures moved jerkily, arguing with each other inside the office while Ken hung his head. She saw Cassie lay a protective hand on his arm and say something earnestly to the portly customs officer, who appeared to reply angrily. Lil caught her breath, anxious for her daughter. Another customs man, the tall one, spoke to Ken and he uttered a few words, then Cassie was speaking quickly, waving her hands to explain the problem. Suddenly, both customs officers turned their back on Cassie and a three-way argument seemed to break out.

  Tommy murmured, ‘She’ll have to be quick. We have to be on board in twenty minutes.’

  The door swung open and Cassie was outside. The group crowded around her as she put her hands on her hips. ‘Right, everyone. We have a solution. It’s not ideal but it’s the best I can do. Ken will sign something to say that it’s his package, even though it isn’t, and we’ll be charged a fine, then they’ll let us go.’

  ‘That’s good.’ Duncan was relieved. ‘How much?’

  ‘Two hundred and twenty euros.’

  ‘I don’t have enough money.’ Maggie gasped.

  ‘We’ll split it, my dear,’ Sue insisted. ‘Twenty euros each. Then we’ll take Ken away from here and get on the boat.’

  ‘You can’t pay my fine,’ Maggie wailed. ‘It’s all been my fault.’

  ‘You’re my best friend, and we’ve had a great holiday,’ Lil soothed. ‘It’s all been worth it.’

  ‘Oh, Lil, you’re wonderful.’ Maggie looked suddenly relieved.

  ‘Friends,’ Albert insisted with an encouraging smile, reaching inside his overcoat. ‘We stick together.’

  ‘Exactly.’ Denise was searching in her purse. ‘We’ve shared this holiday and it’s been wonderful. Now, come on, everyone, cough up – it’s twenty each.’

  ‘Thank you – thank you.’ Maggie greeted each person with pure gratitude.

  Tommy was gripping his wallet. ‘We’d better hurry up.’

  Lil pushed forty euros into Cassie’s hand. ‘That should cover my and Maggie’s contribution.’ She watched Cassie walk away with a fistful of euros; she noticed how efficient she was, how assured her stride as she pushed open the office door, approached the customs officer and counted the notes onto his desk. Next to her, Ken was peering through the window, his face pale and haggard, but Lil thought she could see an expression in his eyes that looked a great deal like relief.

  Moments later Ken staggered onto the minibus amid a round of loud applause, Cassie behind him, pulling the door closed with a bang. As Ken took his seat next to Maggie, who was gazing up at him as if he were a blessed saint, Tommy started the engine, pushed his foot hard on the accelerator and grimaced. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

  The minibus thundered up the bumpy ramp, a woman in an orange jacket waving at Tommy frantically, and as he parked he put a hand to a damp brow and muttered, ‘We only just made it.’

  The tired troupe of passengers staggered up the stairs to the bar and fell exhaustedly into soft red seats around a large table. Duncan and Cassie rushed off to order drinks, coming back with a brandy each for Maggie and Ken, and glasses of wine and beer all around. Maggie, Sue and Denise were all staring at Ken, their eyes shining with admiration although Ken, for his part, looked exhausted.

  Lil whispered to Cassie, ‘He’d still be locked up in France without you, love – you’re the one who should have all the credit.’

  ‘All I did was speak a bit of French.’ Cassie waved a hand, making the bow around her hair wiggle. ‘The customs officers were quite reasonable really, once things were explained. Besides, I’ve often been told I’m too outspoken and headstrong. I’m glad I can put it to some use.’

  ‘I’m going to buy Ken a bottle of champagne, to say thank you. And, Cassie – you were marvellous. You must be so proud of her, Lil.’ Maggie was thoughtful. ‘Now I’ll have to get Brian something else for a present – I’ve no idea what to get him now.’

  ‘There’s a shop on the level below.’ Emily grinned. ‘We’ll all go down in a bit, Maggie – me and you and DJ and Jake. They need to buy presents for their mums.’

  ‘We forgot,’ DJ explained sheepishly.

  ‘I’ll come with you too,’ Lil offered. ‘I want to get some books and some CDs. Maggie, we should buy Brian some nice music. He might like that – a change from watching the goggle-box.’

  ‘Oh, yes.’ Maggie smiled, happy again. ‘That’s a good idea, much better than cigarettes and certainly better than dodgy substances for him to use to roll his own.’

  Duncan banged the table with his fist, making the beer in his glass slosh towards the top. ‘We’ll be home this time tomorrow – you’ll all have to join me in The Jolly Weaver for a complimentary drink or two.’

  ‘What a lovely idea, my dear,’ Sue agreed. ‘I might invite other members of the tennis club. We can share some wine and tell everyone all about this holiday.’

  Ken was sheepish. ‘Don’t tell them everything, please.’

  Denise touched his arm tenderly. ‘You’ve been a hero, Ken.’

  Sue agreed. ‘I’m so glad we’re all friends again. We can put all that silly business behind us.’

  Ken’s face flooded with relief and at last he managed a smile. Jake glanced at Cassie. ‘Hey, you’ll have to write a song about this holiday, Cass.’

  Cassie rolled her eyes. ‘Now that would be an epic story, wouldn’t it?’

  Lil snuggled up to Albert. ‘Shall we go and find something to eat soon?’

  ‘We’ll all go,’ Duncan enthused. ‘All of us together, one happy throng.’ He nudged Tommy. ‘I’m so glad we’re not going to end the holiday tonight. Everybody can meet up in The Jolly Weaver tomorrow night – it’ll be a special party for Ken, to celebrate his heroism.’

  Ken gave a polite cough. ‘That’s very kind, Duncan. But it was really Cassie we should all thank. If it hadn’t been for her, I’d probably still be in the customs office – or worse.’ He shuddered at the thought.

  ‘Dunc doesn’t really care about having a party.’ Tommy laughed cynically. ‘We’re only invited to The Weaver to keep the peace. Kerry will kill him when she finds out how much money he’s spent on beer orders while we’ve been away.’

  Duncan gazed down at his pint, his cheeks glowing: Tommy had hit a nerve. Then he broke into a smile and he said, ‘Kerry will be fine – I bought her some earrings in Amsterdam. We’ll have a great party.’ He gazed at everyone around the table. ‘After all, this has been a special holiday – and we’ve become such good friends. We can’t let it all go as soon as we’re back home in Salterley.’

  Cassie sipped her wine thoughtfully; tomorrow they would be back home again. She would have to resolve the mystery of David. She wondered who he was and how he knew her; she’d had a strong suspicion about his identity, from the moment Jamie had mentioned where he had come from. Then she imagined Jamie welcoming her when she walked through the door. She had to admit, she was looking forward to seeing him so much. She swallowed a mouthful of wine and sighed; she had some thinking to do.

  34

  Inside the minibus, not far from Portsmouth, the night skies dark all around her, Lil felt wrapped in warmth, rocked by the low rumble of the engine. She closed her eyes, resting against the cushions Cassie had carefully placed around her, nestling into the comfortable softness. She thought about the new books and CDs in her shopping bag; she had some fascinating new romances to read, her own new copy of Birdsong and new music to listen to, some of the composers whose busts had been in the Jardin des Personnalités in Honfleur, and she was imagining giving away the presents she’d bought. She visualised Jenny Price finding an oversized mug with ‘I heart Amsterdam’ on it in her office. This time, she’d know it was
from either Lil or Maggie.

  And Keith the chef would love the chocolate cookies she’d bought him in Ghent, the Belgian butter biscuits. Lil was looking forward to seeing Keith and Jenny again. It would be nice to be back home.

  Then Lil felt a hand cover hers, fingers pressing the soft flesh of her palm, and she opened an eye to see Albert gazing at her, handsome and kind. She noticed the tenderness in his eyes, the shining light, the gentle curve of his smile and she wondered how many times in her life someone had looked at her that way. Not many; not enough. Lil squeezed Albert’s hand with affection, showing him that she felt the same way. She’d never really known what it felt like to have someone on her side, someone to care. It felt wonderful.

  But what life had been like in the past wasn’t her concern now. It was all about the time she had left, what she’d do with each day. And tomorrow evening she and Albert were going to meet at The Jolly Weaver and their life in Salterley would unfold from there. Lil sighed. She still wasn’t sure what she’d do about Herman.

  In the passenger seat next to Tommy, Cassie was gazing at the road. They were passing the exit sign for Bere Regis, bright in the headlamps. She stretched out her legs and glanced at her phone. Jamie had texted. She had told him not to wait up, but he was insisting that he wanted to be there when she walked in through the door, even though it would be way past midnight.

  Cassie replied that he should go to bed; she would see Lil home first and make sure she was settled, so it was likely to be very late indeed. Jamie replied quickly with a smiley face icon and an x. She assumed he would be sitting in his armchair watching something on television, a brandy in his hand, his eyes tired. He’d read her text then he would grin, ease himself slowly up from his seat, turn the set off with a flick of the remote and make his way upstairs. Cassie flexed her shoulders, wriggled and snuggled down in the seat. She would be home soon. Holidays were wonderful, but it was always good to get back to your own space, your own bed, and start to plan the next trip. And it would be lovely to see Jamie again, to hug him, feel the warmth of his arms around her. Cassie had to admit, she’d had a special time with Lil, but another holiday might be nice, a different sort of break altogether, one where she and Jamie could spend some time together, where she could tell him about some thoughts she’d had on her mind for several days now.

  Back in her own bed, Lil slept until past midday. She woke, feeling strangely comforted by the sweet scent of her pillows, in the small, warm room with the white walls, her own familiar things on the bedside table. She stretched her body, conscious of the aches in her hip, and immediately felt hungry, so she wriggled into clothes and decided to go across the road to the café and flirt with Keith. On the landing, she thought about knocking on Maggie’s door. It was ajar and music was playing loudly inside, a lively tune on a violin that made you want to dance a reel. She hesitated and listened more carefully: there was the soft tinkle of laughter. Lil stood still; the music rose and fell. She couldn’t resist it – she pushed the door wide and gazed at Maggie and Brian, dancing to the sweeping music of Paganini. Lil was amazed: the television was off and there was a fresh smell on the air, the scent of flowers, of sweet peas.

  Lil watched in silence as Brian and Maggie twirled in each other’s arms. The music whirled and fizzed, then faded to an ostentatious ending, a whizz of the bow against strings. Maggie and Brian gazed at each other as their feet moved nimbly. Lil clapped her hands softly, a smile on her face.

  Maggie whirled round. ‘Lil, nice to see you. Brian and I were just enjoying the violin concerto.’

  Brian draped an arm around Maggie. ‘It’s good to have the old girl back again.’

  ‘Old girl?’ Maggie wriggled under his embrace, smiling. ‘Brian has missed me, you know.’

  ‘She’s a new woman, Lil. I don’t know what you did to her while you were out in Germany but it’s done us both the world of good.’

  ‘Germany, indeed.’ Maggie tittered, her eyes shining. ‘Now Brian’s talking about us going on holiday together to Italy, aren’t you, love?’ She faced him again, taking up a dance position. ‘We might even be able to dance to the real Paganini.’

  ‘I doubt it, he died over a hundred and fifty years ago,’ Lil muttered to herself. Then she raised a hand. ‘Italy would be wonderful. You’ll be a jet-setter, Maggie. Now I’m going to get some brunch – I’ll see you both later.’

  ‘See you soon,’ both dancers chorused as they rose up on their toes and swirled round; a new track had started and they were instantly lifted by the swelling tune of the violin.

  Cassie was hunched over the steering wheel of her car, her thoughts racing: she had a lunch appointment in a little bistro in Exmouth, a fifteen-minute drive from her home. She was meeting David at one o’clock. She’d phoned him earlier that morning and they’d agreed on a venue where they could share lunch and have some time to speak together. He had come over from Denver in the USA; he was currently on vacation, he said, and he wanted to share some information that would be mutually beneficial. He believed that Cassie would find it most interesting.

  Jamie had been a little fretful; he’d wanted to accompany Cassie, in case it was some sort of scam, but Cassie had suggested that he remain at home. They’d been delighted to see each other, immediately squeezed in a tight embrace, but Jamie had seemed tired and he’d mentioned the numbing sensations in his hands. Cassie had fussed over him, wanting him to rest. After all, she’d promised him, with a peck on the cheek as he stood in the kitchen wearing a fetching grey Amsterdam sweatshirt, she’d accompany him to The Jolly Weaver that evening and they’d be able to spend quality time together. He was not to worry. Besides, she was interested in what David had to say to her and it was clearly private; it concerned only her. There was something about his warm tone, the confidential way he spoke, that invited her to believe that he was genuine. That, and his surname.

  Cassie’s hunch had been correct: she knew it was him instantly as they faced each other inside the café. David was a little taller than she was, a little younger, with piercing blue eyes behind rimmed spectacles, and dark wavy hair. He had an easy smile as he introduced himself, holding out his hand and taking Cassie’s; his accent had a soft inflection.

  ‘Pleased to meet you, Cassie. I’m David Chapman.’

  ‘Well, shall we sit down?’

  They sat opposite each other at a white square table near the window, gazing out towards the sea wall. The sky was a crumpled, faded grey; droplets of rain spattered the window. David placed his iPad carefully on the tablecloth and raised his eyebrows, picking up the menu. ‘Well.’

  Cassie said, ‘I can recommend the lasagne.’

  ‘I like the idea of a Manhattan panini – Monterey Jack cheese is just about my favourite thing in the world.’

  ‘Then I’ll try it too.’

  Cassie waved to the waiter, gave her the order and turned her attention back to David. ‘So – David – how can I help you?’

  ‘Maybe we can help each other.’ David raised dark eyebrows. ‘Does the name Chapman mean anything to you?’

  ‘It does. Frankie Chapman was my father.’

  David nodded. ‘Frankie Chapman is my father too.’

  ‘So, he’s still alive?’

  ‘He is.’ David pressed a button on his iPad and showed Cassie a photograph. An ageing man was grinning from the depths of an armchair, a red and white baseball cap on his head. He was shrunken beneath his jacket, his face lined, his eyes deep set.

  Cassie sighed. ‘So that’s Frankie Chapman. That’s my father.’

  ‘Yes, it is.’

  She met his eyes. ‘Well, I have some questions. First of all, how did you find out about me?’

  David was quick to reply with a question of his own. ‘Is your mom still alive? Lilian Ryan?’

  ‘Very much so,’ Cassie said.

  ‘My father knew nothing about you until recently. He’s not been well. He had a stroke a couple months ago and he’s convalescing in a nursin
g home in Kansas. He started talking about a woman he once knew, Lily Ryan, and how he’d met her in Oxfordshire when he was stationed there after the war. He asked me if she might still be alive and that’s where my research started.’

  ‘They were both very young.’ Cassie glanced up as the waiter placed two paninis on the table and walked away. ‘My mother was seventeen when I was born.’

  ‘I researched online and you both came up. I was shocked to find that Lily had given birth to a daughter. My dad was named as your father on your birth certificate.’

  Cassie shrugged. ‘I’ve always known he was my father. Of course, I never met him.’

  ‘He’d like to meet you. He’d like that very much, Cassie.’

  ‘And Lil?’ Cassie shook her head. ‘What about her?’

  ‘He asked after her…’

  ‘And what about your mother, David?’

  ‘My mom died last year,’ David said sadly. He took a bite of his panini. ‘I’m married to Joni; we have two sons, Aaron and Reuben, and a granddaughter, Hannah.’

  David waved his iPad, scrolling through more photos as he showed them to Cassie. A striking, flaxen-haired wife standing next to David; two tall sons with dark curly hair, one wearing spectacles; a small blonde girl in various poses, clutching a teddy bear, reading a book, playing with a puppy.

  ‘Do you have a stepfather, Cassie? Siblings? Children?’

  ‘No, there’s just me and Lil – it’s always been that way.’ Cassie lifted her panini and put it back on her plate. She wasn’t hungry. ‘She never married and nor did I.’

  ‘Ah,’ David murmured. ‘Dad will be really surprised to know that Lily is still around. He was called away from Heyford, where he was based in the American camp, all those years ago. He didn’t even have time to say goodbye, I guess; he came back to Denver and then, in time, he met my mom and they had me.’