Chapter 18
Wearing a pair of Mum’s beige slacks and one of her many cream, cable-knitted sweaters, I sat humiliated at the bottom of her stairs, coat on ready to go.
With my elbows on my knees and chin resting in my hands, I looked down at the black anti-slip fur-lined boots I’d also had to borrow.
‘I can’t believe this is happening to me,’ I said cursing the ground Mum and Jackson walked on.
I took a deep breath and sighed. My evening should’ve been spent getting into the festive spirit wrapping presents ready for delivery the following day.
Not raiding Mum’s wardrobe for clean clothes that I wouldn’t normally be seen dead in.
As well as pyjamas, I clearly needed to keep an emergency set of clothing at Mum’s house.
Time was of the essence and while the optimist in me still hoped we’d track down the two absconders before they hit French soil, with as many ferry crossings to choose from as flights, the realist in me knew the odds weren’t in mine and Theo’s favour.
I consoled myself in the knowledge that while I might not have had my own clothes, thanks to the habit of keeping it with me, a spillover from the time I’d spent travelling, I did at least have my passport.
I hated having to rely on other people and wondering how long it took to clean a kitchen, I willed Theo to hurry up.
I pictured me, Hattie, and Joyce hours earlier enjoying our White Christmas Mojitos, and feeling frustrated, wished I hadn’t partaken.
Alcohol free, I wouldn’t have had to leave my car at the Royal Oak and could’ve been well on my way to catching up with Mum and Jackson.
I stared at my luggage sat by the door. Just a small suitcase and an overnight carry-on for the ferry.
I had considered taking my laptop, but if I was going to do something, I wanted to do it well, presentation included.
I was too worried about Mum and doubted I’d be able to concentrate while on the road.
A car horn sounded and jumping to my feet, I swung my handbag over my shoulder.
I grabbed my luggage and as I let myself out, the cold immediately hit me.
‘You took your time,’ I said. Locking the door behind me, I turned, eager to get into the warmth of Theo’s car.
‘What the…?’ I froze in horror at the sight that met me.
‘Problem?’ Theo asked.
I stared at his two-seater Smart car. First my outfit, now this. ‘I am not driving to France in that,’ I said.
‘Why not?’
I couldn’t believe he had to ask. ‘You’ll have to stop at the Royal Oak, and we can jump into mine.’
‘Fine by me.’ Theo looked me up and down and I could see he was trying not to laugh. ‘Are those Maeve’s…?’
I glowered. ‘Not a word.’
He took my bags and loaded them into the boot, and while I stood surprised he’d managed to get everything in, he tossed his car keys in my direction. ‘You don’t mind, do you?’ he asked as I caught them. ‘I’m knackered.’ Without waiting for an answer, he opened the passenger door and climbed in.
I supposed it was only fair I drove. Unlike Theo who’d spent the last few hours in the kitchen, I’d at least had a bit of sleep. I fixed a smile on my face and bracing myself, swallowed my pride as I got into the driver’s seat.
Putting my handbag on Theo’s lap, I slid my seat forward and took in the car’s somewhat basic dashboard.
Not only did my washing machine have more functions, with its limited speedometer, any hope of intercepting Mum and Jackson fast dwindled.
The word snug sprang to mind as I glanced around the rest of the car’s interior and realising just how cosy Theo and I were, I suddenly felt a tad warm.
I looked down at the space between us and swallowed.
Despite being in separate seats, our thighs were only inches apart.
Theo smiled my way. ‘Ready?’ he asked, nodding for me to start up the engine.
I gripped the steering wheel as I manoeuvred us down the track.
Theo’s car seemed to have zero suspension and thanks to every lump, bump and pothole we encountered, I bounced around in all directions.
I struggled to stay in my seat let alone control the car, and suppressing my squeals, I prayed the tyres didn’t land on a patch of ice.
Wondering if we’d even make it, I’d never been so relieved to reach the main road and hit tarmac.
We entered Settledown with its festive lights and huge Christmas tree and driving towards the Royal Oak, I couldn’t wait to get into my faster, more spacious Mercedes with its fabulous leg room and cushioned leather seats.
I looked down at the miniscule gap separating Theo and me.
Thanks to its comfortable armrests, in my vehicle there’d be no encroaching into each other’s space.
‘I don’t believe it.’ As we pulled into the car park, my heart sank. ‘Why have they parked there?’ I stared at the van that blocked me in. ‘What are we supposed to do now?’
Refusing to give up, I got out of the Smart car to see if there was any way I could squeeze past.
Theo joined me. ‘So what’s your plan?’
I didn’t have one and realising I’d no choice but to suck up the fact I was about to travel down the country, squashed into the vehicular equivalent of a roller skate, I retook my position behind the Smart car wheel.
I glanced around its interior and wondering what I’d done wrong to deserve the previous twenty-four hours, I wasn’t sure how much more I could take.
The way my bones ached of late, I doubted I’d be able to stand straight by the time we reached the south coast and I looked to the heavens pleading with Dad to have a word with whoever was running the show.
As Theo climbed in beside me, I slammed the gearstick into reverse and staring over my shoulder began the easiest three-point turn imaginable. Leaving the pub car park behind, I cursed Joyce and her cocktails. You owe me for this, I said of my friend. Big time.