Page 35 of The Winter of Second Chances
He’s no bother and there’s nothing you need to do for him. I’d go so far as to say he’ll thank you for doing nothing for him. He’s a proud man in his way. Alfred is an all-weather friend with a practical hand you’ll find yourself mighty grateful for. He has a key to the padlock on the furthest set of shutters and he’s happy enough to jimmy the window slightly to let himself in; the lock on the window is loose anyway.
He sleeps in the old tea room. It’s dry, if a little draughty, and about as close to being in a house as he’s ever likely to get. I don’t mind saying I feel better about thunderstorms when Alfred’s downstairs. When winter sets in proper, he’ll be on his way and you won’t see him again till the hyacinths bloom.
Annie placed the book on her bedside table and determined to pay it some proper attention, lest she find herself in store for more surprises along the way.
When Annie left Saltwater Nook the next morning in search of a copy ofThe Woman in White, the air was so bitingly fresh it took her breath away. She had woken up early and taken a mug of tea downstairs for Alfred, but the tea room was empty; he must have left before sunrise.
She shivered until she was a third of the way up the hill and then the chill turned to sweat. She repeatedIt will get easierin her mind like a mantra, over the sound of her ragged breathing and the screaming ache in her thighs. It was good to have goals.
The library stood just off the main street and backed onto a park, with woods beyond. She decided to call Sally quickly while she waited for her cheeks to fade back from beetroot purple to radish pink.
‘Annie! Hi!’ came Sally’s voice. ‘Good to hear from you. How’s the new pad?’
‘It’s great actually,’ said Annie. ‘I think I really struck it lucky with this place.’
‘Good,’ said Sally. ‘And how’s your brain? Any clearer?’
‘It’s a work in progress,’ Annie replied. ‘Listen, I know this might sound weird but would you fancy joining a Victorian book club? I don’t quite know how it happened but I seem to be hosting one.’
Sally laughed.
‘Shit the bed, Annie, you really can’t say no to anything, can you!’
‘Apparently not,’ said Annie. ‘But in this case, I think my being a pushover might be a positive thing.’
‘I agree,’ said Sally. ‘Count me in. My last book club had to be disbanded due to irrevocable political differences.’
‘Blimey!’ said Annie.
‘Yes,’ Sally mused. ‘All got a bit messy towards the end. We should never have pitted the Brontë sisters’ works against each other. Still, you live and learn. And you’d hardly know Olivia’s nose had even been broken now!’
Annie hoped the Victorian book club wouldn’t induce quite such passions. Gemma would be all right, but Maeve and Sally had feisty potential.
‘So, what’s the first book?’ asked Sally.
‘The Woman in White,’ said Annie.
‘Ah, good old Wilkie,’ said Sally. ‘That’s quite a tome! I read it a few years ago. I’ll dig it out and refresh my memory. When’s the meeting?’
‘Next Wednesday evening,’ said Annie. ‘Do you drive? Or will you get a lift?’
‘I’ll drive down.’
‘Okay, great, I’ll text you directions. When you get to the bottom of the hill, instead of turning off onto the shingle, just drive straight along the promenade and stop when you reach the building. There’s a door to the old tea room on that level which will be much easier with your chair.’
‘And it’s okay to just drive along the promenade?’
‘Yes. I emailed the council this morning and they said vehicles are allowed for access.’
‘How wide is the promenade? My car has a side ramp, I don’t want to be stuck in the car if the walkway is too narrow.’
‘It’s thinner in some places than others but up by the cafe, where you’ll be parking, is its widest point. Maybe eight meters?’
‘Oh, that’s plenty of room. I’m not greedy.’
‘Will you need help, with the ramp or anything?’
‘Nope, it’s all good. The biggest danger is getting lost and rocking up at the wrong tea room.’
