‘Oh, Mabel. I am so sorry, I didn’t realise you had company. I’ll take Hetty back home.’ As soon as she and Hetty entered Mabel’s blousy front room, Alice noticed Percy Hillman sat in the armchair by the window. The cadaverous man stood up and gave a shaky bow. With his bald head, heavy-lidded eyes and torpid movements he reminded Alice of a hoary old tortoise.
‘Never you mind, my dear. Of course we’ll watch Hetty for you. Won’t we Percy? You know I always love to have her. We’ll have a fine old chat. She’s better company than some I could mention,’ the old lady nodded towards Percy, who appeared now to be dozing in his armchair.
‘If you are sure, Mabel. It’s just such a lovely day and I fancy a long walk, but she’d not up to it. She’ll sulk horribly if I leave her.’
Mabel shuffled towards Percy in pink-slippered feet and clapped her hands together in front of his face, ‘Percy, you’ll have to move. That’s Hetty’s armchair.’
‘What’s that?’ The wizened little man opened his eyes and turned an ear towards Mabel.
‘YOU’LL HAVE TO MOVE. THAT’S OUR HETTY’S CHAIR!’ she roared, throwing an exasperated look towards Alice, raising her eyes at all she had to endure.
‘Mabel, no, don’t be silly, Hetty can lie on the rug. PERCY, PLEASE STAY WHERE YOU ARE.’
Percy though had already tottered obediently to the sofa and sank gratefully into its antimacassared softness. Alice unclipped the dog’s lead and Hetty instantly leapt onto the sunlit armchair, tucking her long, lanky legs underneath her. Although she was a large dog, she could fold herself origami-like, into the cosiest of nooks.
‘You see, Hetty likes a view of the green. More importantly, a view of the chip shop. Percy doesn’t mind. I SAY, YOU DON’T MIND DO YOU PERCY?’
‘A cup of tea would be lovely, yes, thank, you,’ the old man smiled toothlessly and gave a regal wave.
Mabel sighed, ‘It’s just as well I don’t entertain him for his conversation, Alice.’
‘Mabel. Such wantonness!’ Alice cried.
‘Oh, hush. I’ve told you before. It’s his allotment. He brought me some tulips this morning,’ she gestured towards a cream jug on the fireplace from which purple tulips twisted like Medusa’s snakes.
Hetty rested her long snout on the back of the armchair and cast a spry, beady gaze across the village green to Maxwell’s. ‘Look at her, she’s remembering that battered sausage she found in 1982. She’s never forgotten it,’ Alice said, smiling.
‘Ah well, we’ll be having some tea and battenberg soon. She can join us. I’ll get her cup and saucer out. She’s very refined, you know is Hetty. She favours a china tea service.’
Alice looked round the sunlit room. Embroidered cloths covered every glowing surface and the tick of the oak grandfather clock was sonorous and hypnotic. She almost felt tempted to sink into the sofa next to Percy and be sedated with endless cups of sweet milky tea and slices of sticky cake. But, the headland was calling to her. ‘Don’t spoil Hetty too much, Mabel. Thank you. BYE PERCY, LOVELY TO SEE YOU AGAIN.’
The old man took a brass pocket watch from the pocket of his turtle green cardigan and tapped it, ‘Just gone eleven o’clock, pet,’ he nodded sagely.
Back in her cottage, Alice sipped a glass of water at the sink and looked at the apple tree, remembering the charm of goldfinches chirruping and fluttering as if in celebration. She remembered Esther speaking of the power of signs and portents. The tests and challenges she would set herself to help find the courage to navigate her day. What did the goldfinches foretell? Raven sat on the kitchen table and watched her coolly. ‘Three rings, Raven. That is all.’ The black cat acquiesced, by blinking three times before leaping from the table and sauntering through the cat flap. Alice went to the telephone. He’ll be working anyway, she thought. Three rings. That is all. He must answer in three rings.She dialled his number. The dial whirred and clicked as it turned. Each rotation seemed to take an eternity. She felt her heart booming in her chest.
‘Hello.’
He'd answered. He'd answered on the first ring. Alice found she could not speak. She was numbed by the pure, empty space echoing between them.
‘Hello?’ His voice was warm and unhewn and wonderfully familiar
‘Hello, it’s Alice. I’m just setting off for the headland. Do you fancy a walk?’ her words sounded deceptively bright and lilting, like an overly enthusiastic Avon lady demonstrating a new lipstick.
‘Okay petal, I’ll be there.’
Alice shakily put down the phone. She sat on the bottom stair, both her hands clasping handrail. She felt wobbly, in need of a hard drink and a soft chaise lounge. When her heart stopped pounding and her hands stopped shaking, she raced upstairs to get changed.
The suspense is palpable!
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