Page 12 of Someone For Everyone

‘She’s a smashing dog. Loyal as anything, and a right soppy thing. But she needs more exercise than I can manage these days. Do you know much about Salukis?’

‘I don’t.’ He looked down at the dog – with her pretty, slim face and long floppy ears covered in wavy fur – and was instantly reminded of Kate Lawrence. Not that she had floppy ears, but she had the same wounded, doleful expression, as though lifehad given her a good kicking. He couldn’t imagine she’d thank him for comparing her to a dog, so he’d keep that observation to himself.

‘This one’s a rescue animal, so she’s a bit damaged, poor thing.’ Geraldine produced a treat from her apron pocket. ‘A complex mixture of nervous sensitivity and clumsy exuberance. Of course, she’s also beautiful, elegant and extraordinarily agile.’

Yep, that definitely described Kate Lawrence. He’d never seen anyone faint so gracefully.

The dog sniffed at the treat and knocked it to the floor, before looking up at her owner as if fearful she was about to be told off.

‘Daft thing.’ Geraldine held on to the table as she bent down to retrieve the treat. ‘Not as agile as Bert, mind you. He was quite the flexible gentleman.’

Which wasn’t something Calvin needed to know. ‘Probably too much information, Geraldine.’

She hauled herself upright, laughing. ‘You’re not embarrassed, are you?’ She looked at him intently. ‘Oh, goodness, you are. Look at those adorable cheeks, they’ve gone all pink. How funny. That’s the trouble with you millennials – you think you invented sex. Let me tell you, it wasn’t called the Swinging Sixties for nothing.’

Calvin rubbed his chin, unsure how to react to the details of his great-uncle’s sex life. And to think he’d been nervous about being shouted at. ‘I had no idea you and Uncle Bert were so close.’

‘No reason why you should. He was a discreet man, your uncle.’ She patted his cheek. ‘He was also determined to ensure you and your family were looked after, which is why I owe it to him to support you all I can.’

Calvin felt his heart soften. He’d always got on well with Uncle Bert; as well as teaching Calvin how to swim and play cricket, he’d also taught him how to use a power drill and change a plugsocket. Skills he’d never seen the need for, but his uncle had told him that life wouldn’t always be about football and he’d need something to fall back on. Maybe his uncle had known what was coming.

‘Thanks, Geraldine. I appreciate it, but I don’t want to take advantage, so if the situation ever changes, let me know, okay?’

She made a cross over her chest. ‘You have my word.’

Calvin checked his watch. ‘I have to go and pick up Granny Esme from the station, but is there anything you need from me? Anything I can help with?’

‘You can take Suki for a walk whenever you get the chance. That would definitely help me out. The poor girl’s a ball of pent-up energy, she’s fit to burst. And we all know how frustrated a woman gets if she doesn’t get a regular fix, right?’

Calvin had no idea what the appropriate response was to that, so he opted for, ‘No problem, I’ll take her out later when I get back.’ He gestured to the door. ‘I’d better be off – it was great to meet you, Geraldine. And thanks again for your support. I’m forever indebted to you.’

‘Ah, away with you. You’ll make me come over all unnecessary.’ She squashed him into another hug. ‘Goodness, you’re solid,’ she said, her hands feeling down his back. ‘I like that in a man.’

He held himself rigid, afraid to move. Even the dog was looking up at him with a wide-eyed expression, as if embarrassed by her owner’s behaviour.

‘Right, enough of that,’ Geraldine said, eventually extricating herself from the hug. ‘Work to do, cottage pie to make.’ And with that, she limped over to the Aga and busied herself with the cooking. ‘Bye, love.’

Calvin left the kitchen, wondering who would prove to be the more challenging to deal with – Hanna and her fierce demands, or Geraldine and her wandering hands. He didn’t relish either.

Pluckley train station wasn’t far away, but his granny was eighty-three and not as active as she once was, so he made the short drive into the village and parked up in the forecourt out front.

He was a few minutes early, so he climbed out of the car and wandered over to watch a group of kids playing football in the school playing field.

Resting against the fence, he smiled when the football soared into the air and landed in a deep puddle, splashing up muddy rainwater. The kid in him still had the urge to jump the fence and run to join in with the game.

He’d always been the same, constantly running around kicking a ball – before school, after school, every weekend. He’d lost count of the times his mum had appeared and tapped her watch, reminding him it was late and he had homework to do. He hadn’t cared about schoolwork. The only thing that mattered was football.

Deciding he’d tormented himself enough, he returned to the station to wait for the train to arrive. There was no guard, so he walked onto the solitary platform to wait.

He checked his watch. In his old life, he’d be having a wellness check now: the medical team would be assessing his blood and urine, and setting him a gym programme to complete after the morning training session. Instead, he was living in rural Kent and feeling like he’d taken hallucinogenic drugs that had transported him to a parallel universe.

Part of him had been glad to leave Leeds and escape the town’s enthusiasm for the beautiful game. A frenzy of fans had followed the team with a dedication that was obsessive, and he still had people come up to him in the street and ask for his autograph, expressing their sorrow for his situation and wishing him well. It was genuine, he knew that, and he was grateful for their kindness. But he also knew that the adoration would soon fade.Give it another year and he’d be forgotten, a player only a few would remember.

He had no qualifications, no other skills, no other passions. It had only ever been football. How was he supposed to move on from that?

The train appeared in the distance and slowly chugged to a halt. A couple of doors opened and few people disembarked, but not his granny. He was just wondering if she’d missed her train, when she appeared further down the platform, struggling under the weight of a heavy holdall.

He jogged to reach her, took her bag and placed it on the ground so he could hug her, but she pointed to the train. ‘Can you get the others?’

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