CHAPTER 5
Donald woke up on the Sunday morning feeling stiff and tired. His book signing session the day before had gone well, too well for his comfort. No doubt a good many books had been sold as a result of his personal appearance but the sight of people in such a mass was just a little too much. Only another two sessions like it and he was finished with that. As a sales technique, it doubtless had much to commend it but he had to admit it wasn’t to his taste. Still, this day promised to be an improvement.
He dressed with care, casually, yet smartly. Precisely at twelve, he rang the bell at number four. Marie opened the door and invited him in.
’I won’t be a moment,’ she said. ’Come through to the kitchen. I’m just setting the timer on the oven, put my coat on, then I’m ready.’
Donald inspected the kitchen without seeming to do so. It was ordinary but neat and cheerful, showing many feminine touches which were totally missing in his own home.
’There,’ said Marie. ’That should be ready at five, though it won’t harm if we are a bit later than that.’
She threw a light jacket carelessly across her shoulders and led the way outside. Donald held the car door open for her as she climbed in, a touch of courtesy she enjoyed. A short drive brought them to the lower stretches of the hills, where Donald parked the car before striding out with a steady pace, finding that his companion, though barely reaching to his shoulder, could match him for speed without apparent effort. As they walked, they talked of literature, finding points of disagreement as well as commonality in their personal tastes. The fresh air and long delayed exercise stretched Donald’s mind as well as his legs and he could feel his knotted muscles ease gradually. Having someone to talk to was an unusual occurrence for him, and one that, for once, he enjoyed fully.
He took sideways glances at Marie as they walked, enjoying the sight of a highly attractive woman in his company. Her age was difficult to decide, as she was small and petite, making her seem much younger than she probably was. Late twenties or so, he decided. She talked a little of her career, not a great deal, as she was not at work and didn’t need to think about it on a day off.
’So how long have you been teaching?’ Donald asked with rather less subtlety than he imagined.
She pursed her lips and put her head on one side, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. ’Ever since I left university,’ she answered, then looking at him directly, took pity.
’I’m twenty seven, Donald. Is that what you wanted to know?’ Her smile robbed the statement of any offence.
Donald had the grace to look sheepish. ’Well, amongst other things, yes.’
’Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I may not answer them all but I won’t resent them. What’s the next one?’
Donald considered. ’You were very quick to invite me for tea. How could you be sure I wouldn’t want to bring a wife along?’
She laughed. ’Because you don’t have one, unless you brought somebody else’s wife and I didn’t think that was very likely.’
’You know that now, but at the time?’
’I knew then. I checked.’ She smiled mischievously. ’I came to the bookshop to find out if you were a respectable character before asking you to speak to my pupils.’
’Obviously I was.’
’Oh yes. The bookshop manager spoke very highly of you. He was really very forthcoming. He told me a lot about you, including a great deal I didn’t ask. He knew you weren’t married, for example, so I guessed it was safe to invite you to tea without upsetting anyone. Of course, there may have been a lady friend, but I rather guessed you might make that clear if you felt it necessary.’
’What else did he tell you?’ asked Donald.
’Oh, just that you had been in the book trade before you started writing full time. I suppose that’s how he knew so much about you.’
’Yes,’ said Donald. ’We used to work together at one time. Well, for that, I expect him to shift another thousand books, at least that many.’
’You’re not annoyed, are you?’ asked Marie.
’Hardly,’ Donald answered. ’My marital status, or lack of it, is no secret, or if it is, it’s a pretty open one. And talking of pretty, isn’t that a wonderful view?’
’Yes, it’s marvellous,’ said Marie. ’I often come up here just to look out over the valley. It’s not often it’s as clear as it is today though. Look, you can even see the sheep moving in the fields over there. That’s a rare sight. It’s nearly always hazy.’
’It comes from the industrial area of course, but the wind’s in the other direction for a change. That’s why it’s so warm, I suppose.’
’Warm,’ she said, in sudden alarm, looking at her watch. ’Now there’s another key word. The food will be getting ready. Perhaps we should be making a move back again. Unless you like dried up food, that is.’
Donald pursed his lips. ’I doubt if you would you ever forgive me if I was the cause of your food drying up.’
She lifted her face to his consideringly. ’Do you know something? I really think I would. Just the same, it tastes better if it isn’t overdone. Come on. I would race you down but you have the car keys.’
They walked in companionable silence back down the hill to the waiting car. Once again, Donald held the door for Marie.
’Thank you,’ she said, as he settled in the car beside her. ’For holding the door open, that is. Not many men seem able to do that nowadays.’
’It’s my pleasure,’ Donald said. ’Anyway, I may be a chauvinist and don’t believe in female equality.’
’So you might,’ she replied lightly, then wrinkled her nose at him. ’But I don’t think so. I think you are a true gentleman. Drive on, or the food will be spoilt and I’ll have to think of some way of forgiving you.’
Donald grinned at her, started the engine, selected first gear and drove away, wheels spinning slightly on the loose gravel. A startled sheep bleated and scrambled up the steep side of the ditch, to continue cropping the short grass it found there. A few minutes later, Donald drew up outside Marie’s house and switched the engine off. Locking the car, he followed Marie indoors. An appetising smell met their nostrils as they entered the house. Food was clearly ready.
’Rather surprising, is that,’ commented Marie. ’It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve set the oven to the wrong time, or forgotten to switch it on, or something equally stupid. You’re lucky. This time I got it right. Here, let me take your coat. The bathroom’s just there, at the end of the hall, then if you come to the dining room, that’s this door here, I’ll have the table set in no time.’
The meal was delicious, and Donald lost no time in telling his hostess so.
’Why, thank you,’ she said. ’I enjoy cooking when I get the time to do it. Usually I just have something to tide me over but I do like to eat properly at the weekend. If you’ve finished, Donald, why don’t you go through to the living room and I’ll clear away here. I’ll bring coffee and cake in a few minutes. No, put those down. You’re my guest, and guests do not clear the table. Have a look in the bookshelf. You might find something of interest there.’
A few minutes later, Marie came into the living room carrying a tray, which she set down on a small table, drawing it near to the sofa where Donald was sitting, then made herself comfortable alongside him.
’Cream cake at last,’ she said. ’This time you get what I promised. Coffee?’
’Yes please. Milk, no sugar, thank you. Delicious cake,’ he added. ’Home made, I assume.’
’Yes. It’s an ancient recipe that has been in the family for a long time. Since yesterday, to be exact, when I read it in a magazine. But it seems to have turned out well.’
Later, Marie cleared the tray, taking it and its contents into the kitchen. A certain amount of clattering noise ensued, followed by the low hum of the dishwasher at work.
’How do you feel after your walk?’ asked Marie. ’I noticed you were dragging your feet a little as we came in.’
’I’m a bit stiff,’ Donald admitted. ’Clearly I needed the exercise, and need more yet. Still, I must confess I feel all the better for it. It’s a pity I won’t be able to do any more until next weekend.’
’Oh, why is that?’
’There are a couple of book signing sessions I’m committed to next week, and they both involve travelling. It’s not far, but I’ll have to stay overnight. It’s a nuisance, but can’t be helped.’
’Don’t you like signing books?’
He pulled a face. ’Not really but the publisher was most insistent and I can see how it may help sales but it’s not the sort of thing I go into voluntarily. Anyway, next week is the finish, and I’ll be free to do what I want after that.’
’And what’s that?’ Marie asked. ’Sitting down and writing another novel?’
He grinned at her. ’Basically yes, but not immediately I get back home again. I want to do more walking first to get into shape.’
’So it’s back to the hills, then?’
’That’s right.’
She hesitated. ’Would you like a bit of company again, Donald, or do you prefer being on your own next time?’
’If you mean your company,’ he said gallantly, ’it would be very welcome.’
’Then I’ll come, on condition you have tea with me again.’
’How can I refuse?’ he said. ’I’m not such a willing cook that I’m ready to pass up the chance of a meal made by someone else. Besides, it makes a change to have someone to talk to.’
’May I ask you a personal question, Donald?’
’Of course, go ahead.’
’From various things you’ve said, you seem to be a bit of a loner. Have you no family at all?’
He smiled. ’A writer has to able to live with himself or he’d never get anything done. A loner? Yes, I suppose that’s probably true. I’m not lonely though. As for family, no, there isn’t a great deal of it, just a couple of cousins and an equal number of aunts, who all live at the other end of the country. We keep in touch, but rarely meet.’
’What about friends?’
’Even fewer. I haven’t lived here for so long, just over a year, in fact and in that time I’ve been writing, so haven’t really had the opportunity to meet too many people to make friends with. It doesn’t bother me. I like people well enough but I’m quite happy on my own.’
’That’s something we have in common then,’ said Marie. ’I’ve lived here for rather longer, ever since I left university and of course know a surprising number of people. Not many have been invited to this house. For some reason I don’t find knitting patterns and cooking recipes sufficiently intellectually stimulating. That’s why it’s been nice to talk to you. You are a good deal more intelligent than the average member of any school staff room. At least, you have a little more to talk about.’
’Oh dear,’ said Donald. ’I’ll have to read something new for next week. But that brings a thought to my mind. Tell me, have you seen the production of Twelfth Night at the Little Theatre in town yet?’
’No, no I haven’t. I didn’t really have the time last week when there was so much paperwork to be done and cleared before the end of term. I hear they’ve extended for another week.’
’That’s right,’ said Donald. ’I was just wondering if you would like to come with me if I can get tickets. It would have to be for Wednesday night because, as I explained, I’ll be away for much of the week but I will be home that day.’
’It would please me very much. Thank you.’
’Good, I’ll try to get tickets then and let you know if it is possible. Now, I think it’s time I made a move back home.’
Marie looked at the clock. ’Why, it’s not late, Donald. Do you need to go so soon?’
’I’m afraid so. My next signing session is at nine in the morning and I have to take the overnight train to get there on time. I could drive, but it’s no quicker and certainly not as restful. It’s a pity, as I’ve enjoyed your company but much as I would like to extend the visit, I do have to take that train.’
’Then of course you must go. Still, there’ll be other days.’
She stood up and went with him to the door, taking his hand in hers and pressing it just a little longer than strictly necessary.
’It’s been a lovely day, Donald. I have enjoyed being with you, and I do look forward to the next time. Good night.’
’Good night Marie, and thank you for the meal.’
’Oh one thing more, if you can’t get seats for the theatre, come round anyway. I’ll be at home. We can indulge in a bit of sour grapes and tell each other how rotten the performance probably was.’
Donald laughed. ’All right, I’ll do that, good night again.’
He drove home slowly, lost in thought, leaving behind him a woman who had thoughts of her own not too dissimilar.