“I can’t!” I laughed. “I have work!”
Darren beeped the horn again. “Come on!” he called.
I looked back inside the cafe, at the customers standing at the window. Lorraine was there, too, and she was scowling. Oh hell.
A car full of smiles and gestures, Nanna’s face so happy. There were only a couple of customers, hardly anything, Lorraine could definitely cope.
I couldn’t look at her as I rushed back to the counter and ditched my apron. “Can I go?” I said. “Please? I know it’s early but I’ll make up the time… I’ll come in early tomorrow if you need me…”
She was glaring, I could feel it. I grabbed my bag and my coat, slipped it on as I made my way back out. I met Lorraine’s eyes before I left, willing her to let me go.
She sighed. “If you must.”
Yes. Yes, I must.
“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll make it up.”
I raced out to the car and dropped into the passenger seat with a laugh. “Drive!” I said. “Before Lorraine changes her mind!”
Darren nodded, then indicated, pulled out onto the street. I fastened my seatbelt, cheeks burning at the memory of the car’s cold bonnet against my naked tits, my palms against the windscreen as Darren pounded me. The smirk on his face told me he was remembering it too.
“Ooh, Jodie! We’re going for a lovely drive!” Nanna said. She was so excited, giggling away as Darren picked up speed.
I loved him for making Nanna so happy. The girls, too. Loved him for coming for me.
He drove us out to the main Abergavenny road and put his foot down. The car growled and surged forward, and I laughed, lifted my hands in the air until the wind whipped them. The girls were laughing, and Nanna was, too, and in the spirit of the moment I reached out and squeezed Darren’s knee.
He moved his hand from the wheel and gripped mine tight.
We were doing this. Us. Really doing it. At least, that’s what it felt like.
The road through the Brecon Beacons was magical. Rugged mountains, moody under the grey sky. The wind whipping my hair as Darren pushed the car through the bends, driving hard enough that Ruby whooped in the backseat. You’re better than Clarkson, Dad! she said.
I watched his chest puff up. Oh to be so idolised by our little girl. I felt his pride.
My hair was a mess by the time we pulled up at home, but I didn’t even care. I sent the girls and Nanna on inside, said I’d be coming along right after them.
“Thanks for the ride,” I said to Darren. “It was great.”
“Which one?” He smirked.
“Both of them,” I admitted.
“Any time.” He looked right at me, and I wondered if he was going to kiss me, right there, right then, with the roof still down and the whole street in clear view.
He didn’t.
“Girls are on half term break next week, remember?” I said. “I guess Ruby has already booked herself in at the garage.”
He nodded. “You know it.”
I cleared my throat, made myself broach the subject. “Will she be alright? I mean, if you have any… services… I don’t want her to…”
“She’ll be fine, Jo. She won’t be seeing anything.”
“Right,” I said. “Ok, I guess I’ll be seeing you.”
“That you will,” he said.
Come inside, have some dinner, stay with us… it was on the tip of my tongue, but he put the car back in gear.
“Best be getting this thing back to Lee. Said I’d have her back by six.”
I smiled, and bailed out. I gave one last look at the bonnet, and my stomach did a flip. “Thanks again, Darren, for everything today.”
“No bother,” he said.
He beeped the horn long and loud before he disappeared out of view.
Are you ignoring me? Don’t ignore me, Darren. We need to talk.
Another pissing message from Lorraine. I’d been ignoring them for days, ever since I took Jo from work in the Audi. The stupid daft cow wouldn’t give it a rest.
I shoved my phone back in my pocket and helped Ruby hold the screwdriver steady.
“Like this, Rubes,” I said, adjusting her fingers around the handle. “Get a better grip.”
It was only a little job, a brake light bulb change, but she may as well have been replacing an engine for the amount of pride she was taking in it.
I nodded to Sally Vickers, the owner of the motor Ruby was currently working on. “Our newest recruit,” I said. “Best service you’ll get.”
She laughed. “She’s really something.”
I ruffled Ruby’s hair. “Say that when you’ve got working lights.”
“I know what I’m doing, Dad!” Ruby groaned.
She really fucking did as well, had them changed in no time.
I rang Mia once Sally was off, she answered in a flash. Good girl.
“Where are you?” I said.
She sighed. “Daisy’s. Same as I was last time you called.”