Paw And Order
Who’s the surprise latecomer at Burt’s birthday party?
DRIVING put him in a reflective mood, Dan thought as he sat on the M4, heading towards Grimsby.
House-sitting had been the perfect fit for him when he’d retired from the force.
His children were grown up and his parents were independent.
He supposed one day he would settle in Dorset, but he hadn’t seriously thought about it.
Yet it could be a lonely life, living in other people’s homes. He could never take on a commitment, or have a pet.
He’d have loved a dog. Looking after other people’s animals wasn’t the same.
Having a relationship was tricky, too, but he hadn’t minded till he’d met Sheila. She’d been the first woman he’d contemplated dating since his divorce.
He was surprised how disappointed he’d been when she’d moved away.
As he drew up outside the house, he dragged his thoughts back to the present. It was a nice area, not far from the coast. He was there for two weeks.
And Sheila was working just up the road.
****
On Saturday Sheila was getting ready for Burt’s birthday party. To her relief, Burt and Doreen hadn’t only invited Adrian.
There were 12 people in all and the party would take the form of afternoon tea at four p.m. on Saturday.
Most of the friends were younger than the birthday boy, which Sheila supposed wasn’t all that surprising.
She and Doreen were putting the finishing touches to the food, which Doreen had insisted on buying in.
“You have enough to do with the decorating,” she said. “Just a few nibbles and good conversation.”
Adrian was the first to arrive and he looked just as Sheila remembered. Tall, sandy haired and smiley.
“I’m glad things worked out for you guys,” he said, handing Burt a present.
“Will you stay in Skegness after you’ve finished the house?” Adrian asked her as he sipped tea.
“I haven’t made up my mind yet.” She smiled at him. “But you never know.”
One thing she did know, she thought as the afternoon turned into evening, was that she and Adrian were unlikely to be more than friends. There was no chemistry.
Then, just as the party was at its zenith, the birthday boy snoozing in an armchair, the doorbell rang.
“A latecomer?” Doreen said with a frown.
“I’ll get it,” Sheila said.
****
Dan didn’t think he’d ever felt so nervous, standing on a stranger’s doorstep clutching a bunch of flowers.
He was about to ring the bell again when it opened and there was Sheila, looking pretty in the lovely dress she’d worn for their date to the cinema.
“I’m sorry to turn up unannounced, but I needed to say a proper goodbye.”
“You came all the way up here to say goodbye?” She stared at him in amazement. “You’d better come in.” He followed her down a bright hall towards a buzz of chatter.
“It’s Burt’s ninety-first birthday,” Sheila said, as if that explained everything.
****
Sheila was having trouble processing things.
“How did you know where I lived?”
“My mother told me,” Dan said. “I’m housesitting in Grimsby.”
“Ah.” She felt her heart sink. Not quite the romantic gesture she’d first thought.
“There’s something I need to say, Sheila.”
The room had hushed since he’d appeared, but he didn’t seem to have noticed. He looked more nervous than she’d ever seen him.
“I’ve missed you every day since you left Dorset. Life isn’t the same without you and I don’t mean as a housekeeper.
“I’d hoped there might be more between us . . .”
It seemed the whole room had tuned in to his last few words. In the silence he had turned bright crimson.
All Sheila could feel was the pounding of her heart.
She acted on impulse. She grabbed him and kissed him.
When they drew apart the whole room was looking at them.
“Bravo!” Doreen shouted. “Look, Burt. Sheila didn’t need our help after all!”
More next week.