Chapter 10

He intended to call in at Ringwood and draw out some cash from the ATM before going to the station. He had showered and changed again into cavalry twill slacks, and a blue polo shirt under his old black leather bomber jacket.

Although he had driven slowly he was still at the train station fifteen minutes before the train was due to arrive. He’d bought some cigarettes and a mouth spray in Ringwood, now he was on his third. It’s ridiculous, he thought. I don’t smoke. Well, only when I’m stressed out, but what have I to be stressed out about, he admonished himself.

The distorted tinny voice announced the imminent arrival of the London train. He snubbed out the cigarette then sprayed his mouth. He waited by the gate where the Guard was checking the tickets of the alighting passengers. Then she appeared carrying a suitcase and small vanity case. She was wearing jeans again tucked into long black boots with a red leather bomber jacket, her hair in a ponytail. She was looking around trying to find him as he stepped out from the alcove.

“Hi” he said, “Can I help a lady in distress?” “Hi” she replied her face breaking out into a wide smile. His heart skipped a beat at the warmth of her smile. He led the way out to the car carrying her case. She laughed, “So this is Buttercup; I thought you were going to turn up with a pony and trap.” He laughed with her, “It’s my mother’s old car! That’s what she called her and it’s sort of stuck.”

Robert drove through Christchurch slipping on to the duel carriageway of the Bournemouth by Pass. At the end he negotiated the roundabout before joining the A31 for half a mile before taking the A338 to Salisbury. He glanced at her as he drove, god but she is so beautiful he thought.

They had been chatting away about the train journey and Robert had been pointing out places of interest. When they crossed the flyover bridge at Fordingbridge that bypassed the town Robert said, “I’d better pre-warn you; it seems everyone in the village is an ardent fan of yours! Mrs Mac nearly wet herself when I told her you were coming.”

“Oh dear!” Terry replied, “I think I’ve only got half a dozen publicity photographs in my case! do you think that will be enough?” “I doubt it.” Replied Robert.

He turned off the A338 onto a county lane passing over an old hump backed bridge the River Avon flowing below it. “Nearly there now” Robert announced. The car climbed up the slight incline of the hill. Oak and Maple trees formed a canopy over the road. As they cleared the top and the village lay below them, he stopped the car so she could look.

The village green stood out with The Archers behind it, and beyond that the square Norman tower of the church with Yew trees growing by the wall. A dozen or so cottages lined the road, some with thatched roofs. At the far end the village store and the Post office were visible.

“Oh Robert it’s beautiful!” Terry cried, her face aglow with pleasure.

He drove on climbing the hill from which the cottage took its name. At the top he swung the car round to pass through the drive gates pulling up in front of the garage. As he opened the boot to retrieve her cases, he could see her staring at the cottage.

“The garage is the only new thing that’s been added to the outside, but Dad insisted that it be built in the same granite as the main building. He also insisted that the UPVC of the door be the same colouring as the oak door and windows.” he explained.

At the door balancing the cases in one hand he opened it allowing Terry to pass through. Mrs Mac was standing in the centre of the living room wearing a new dress over which was a clean new piny, the usual red checked. Robert feared for a second that she would curtsey to Terry. But Terry resolved the situation by taking Mrs. Mac’s hand in hers and saying, “You must be Mrs Mac! Robert has told me all about you and your husband Mr Archie McKee. It’s so nice to meet you Mrs McKee.’

“Thank you, Miss Kerr and the name is Aggie,” a broad smile breaking out on her face. “And my name is Terry, Aggie.” “Robert take Miss err Terry’s cases up to her room, while I make some tea, or would you prefer coffee Terry?” “Oh, tea would be heaven.”

As Robert mounted the stairs he saw Terry following Mrs Mac into the kitchen. Well he thought they seem to have hit it off.

After tea and Mrs Mac’s scones with clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam, Terry sat back and said, “It takes a Scot to make proper scones.” This brought a flush of pleasure to Mrs. Mac’s face. “Well if you have had enough, I’ll take you up to your room. I’m sure you’d like to freshen up.”

In the room Terry looked around. A woman designed this room she knew. A king size four-poster bed, complete with curtains and canopy dominated it. One wall was taken over by built in wardrobes while by the bow window was a large dressing table complete with side mirrors. A vase filled with daffodils and tulips placed to one side, and a photograph of Robert in uniform, on the other. A chest of drawers was placed near the door leading to the en suite bathroom.

“Oh, it’s beautiful Aggie! Robert’s mother had a say in this room, didn’t she?” “Ay Mickey let Tom chose most of the furniture that was made for downstairs, although she selected the kitchen equipment. But she insisted how this room was to be done.”

After showing Terry how to operate the shower and the bath in the spacious bathroom and indicating were the towels were, Aggie said “I’ll have to go and get my man’s dinner ready for him, but I’ll see you tomorrow Terry.” Terry embraced her giving her a kiss on the cheek “Thank you Aggie, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Little realising she had just made a friend for life.

She returned downstairs having unpacked, showered and changed into a skirt and jumper forty-five minutes later. Robert was by the fireplace putting a log onto the fire. “All sorted” he inquired. She nodded.

“We are having dinner at the Archers tonight at eight thirty.” He continued, ‘I’ll put the car out in the road then get changed myself.”

“Can’t we walk down? It didn’t seem that far.” Terry replied.

“If you’re sure yes. Well I’ll put the car away and then go up.” Picking up the car keys from the stand he went out. Ten minutes later he returned, moving to the staircase, “I won’t be long, why don’t you have a look around.”