Chapter 9 #2
‘You certainly took your time,’ huffed Keith. The frown he shot at the tray was enough to make Danny feel like he was about to be grounded for at least a month. ‘What’s that?’
‘It’s your lunch,’ said Danny. ‘You’re the one who ordered it, so don’t go blaming me!’
‘It was either that or cauliflower curry. What would you have done?’
‘Okay, you’ve got a point,’ said Danny, pulling a face.
‘Anyway,’ said Keith, wrinkling his nose, ‘I’m not eating that. I’ll wait until we get home.’
‘About that,’ said Danny, setting the tray down on the little bedside table and backing away before he gagged from the farty stench.
‘Do not tell me I’m stuck here.’
‘Okay, I won’t,’ laughed Danny. ‘The receptionist has gone to find out what’s happening. Apparently, you’re meant to stay until the consultant’s been around again.’
His dad let out a grunt. ‘When will that be?’
‘She said this evening.’
‘Nope, not doing it.’ He started to get to his feet.
‘Dad, give it a break,’ said Danny. ‘Seriously, just sit down and chill out. Let’s wait until we know what’s happening and go from there, okay? She said she’ll do what she can. Give the poor woman a chance to at least try and help you.’
Keith slumped back down, still grumbling, then leaned over and picked up his lunch with his good hand. Danny wrinkled his nose and cracked open his can of Coke. Maybe the flavour and fizz might help block the smell of ancient cabbage a bit.
‘Are you seriously going to eat that?’ he said, watching as his dad awkwardly balanced the plate on his knees.
‘Needs must,’ muttered Keith. ‘I’m starving. Breaking your wrist makes you feel like you want to eat a horse!’
‘It’s probably the painkillers,’ chuckled Danny.
‘You might be right about that,’ mumbled Keith around a huge forkful of lumpy mashed potato.
‘Good reason to hang around for a bit longer—you’ll want to make sure you’ve got plenty of painkillers to take home with you,’ said Danny. ‘And maybe some sleeping pills, too… so I can slip them in your drink when you get too much to handle!’
‘Cheeky blighter,’ laughed Keith, gnawing at a chunk of overdone beef.
Danny took another swig from his can and stared around the room. He couldn’t blame his dad for wanting to get out of there. Just being in this environment was enough to make you feel unwell.
‘Hey, don’t go quiet on me,’ said Keith through his mouthful. ‘I’ve had too much time in my own head these last few days as it is.’
‘Sorry,’ muttered Danny. ‘What do you want to talk about?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Keith, rolling his eyes. ‘Tell me something to take my mind off the fact that I’m stuck in this godforsaken place.’
Danny racked his brain.
‘Come on, lad,’ tutted Keith. ‘And whatever you do, don’t make it boring. Make something up if you have to. Give me a bit of excitement!’
‘Are you sure you’re up for that, Dad?’ laughed Danny. ‘I mean, you did just have a stroke.’
‘Oh, give over. It was a mini stroke. Just a warning shot.’ Keith put his fork down with a clatter and let out a long sigh. ‘I know I’m going to need to make some changes…’
Danny raised his eyebrows. Coming from his dad, that was a huge admission. ‘What kind of changes?’
‘We’ll talk about it when I’m home,’ said Keith. ‘Now come on, give me something juicy.’
‘Okay…’ Danny shook his head, finding it hard to make a conversational u-turn when he really wanted to find out what his dad meant by changes.
Was it the garage? Was he going to sell up? If he did, what would that mean for him?!
‘Erm… I was really busy yesterday with all the rain…’
‘You’re seriously going to tell me about work?’ huffed Keith. ‘What’s happened to your imagination, boy?!’
‘I’ll tell you something juicy if you shut up for two seconds.’
‘Fine. Tell me.’
‘Well, there were the usual breakdowns,’ said Danny. ‘Idiots driving too fast on the wet roads and ending up in ditches. But then, on my way home last night, I came across another breakdown. Someone you’d not expect in a ditch around here.’
‘Who?!’ said Keith, perking up considerably. ‘Was it a celeb?’
‘Erm, no,’ said Danny. ‘That would have made a much better story!’
‘So, who was it?’
‘Not one of your favourite people,’ said Danny, regretting starting this story in the first place.
‘You’re not going to tell me that you rescued Brian Singer, are you?’ huffed Keith.
‘No, not Brian,’ said Danny. ‘Not far off, though. It was Michelle, his daughter.’
‘Ah, so the rumours are true,’ said Keith, raising an eyebrow. ‘I heard she was back in town.’
‘You did?’ said Danny. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Because I didn’t want to get your hopes up,’ said Keith
‘Hopes?’ said Danny. ‘What on earth do you mean?’
‘Oh, come on!’ laughed Keith. You’ve been head over heels for that girl since you were at school.’
‘You knew ?!’
‘Of course I knew,’ said Keith with a little shrug. ‘I am your dad!’
Danny stared at his dad, his eyes wide. He felt strange, like his entire world was shifting. His dad had known? All those years?!
‘Don’t look at me like that,’ laughed Keith. ‘I was young once, too, you know? Michelle Singer’s a pretty girl. I’ve only ever seen her in passing, but she’s always been a dead ringer for her mum… and Trish Singer was a stunner back in the day.’
Danny blinked and shook his head. He’d never once heard his dad mention Mrs Singer by her first name. Surely that wasn’t at the heart of the feud between the families…?
‘You know what else I heard?’ said Keith, watching him closely.
‘What’s that?’ said Danny, feeling more than a little bit dazed.
‘She’s ditched that twerp she was living with.’
‘How do you know all this?’ said Danny, shaking his head in wonder.
‘I’m not the hermit in this family, Danny!’ chuckled Keith.
‘Whatever,’ huffed Danny. ‘Anyway, you’re right. She is back, and she has ditched the twerp. She told me that when I picked her up in the storm… though, if I’m honest, I wasn’t sure you’d be too happy about that.’
‘Why on earth wouldn’t I be happy about it?’ huffed Keith. ‘Just because I’ve got a problem with Brian… hey, he didn’t give you a hard time, did he?’
‘Nope,’ said Danny. ‘He doesn’t know. I dropped Michelle outside the City Gates.’
Keith nodded.
‘What’s all that about?’ said Danny, slipping the question in before he could chicken out. ‘The thing with you and Brian, I mean.’
‘Now’s not the time to talk about it,’ said Keith, frowning as he stuffed his face with more mashed potato.
‘Okay, no worries,’ said Danny.
‘So, what’s the rest of the story?’ said Keith, cocking his head.
‘Story?’ said Danny.
‘There’s something else you want to tell me,’ said Keith, fixing him with a piercing stare. ‘I know when you’re not telling the whole truth.
Damn his dad for knowing him so well!
‘Okay. Well… Michelle’s car’s pretty much dead, and the loaner’s still out with Terry Jones,’ said Danny, resisting the urge to scuttle out of the room before his dad could tell him off for the next bit. ‘So, I… erm… leant her the Buick,’
‘Nice choice,’ said Keith approvingly.
Danny blinked. ‘You don’t mind?’
‘Why should I mind?’ said Keith in surprise. ‘The girl needs transport, and it sounds like she’s got excellent taste. Besides, those cars could do with a run!’
Danny couldn’t help but smile as he remembered the look of pure delight on Michelle’s face when she drove off in the Buick.
‘You know, I could never quite figure out why you didn’t do something about that,’ said his dad, who’d abandoned his plate and was now staring at him.
‘About what?’ said Danny, shifting awkwardly. The vinyl chair squeaked in protest.
‘You and her. Michelle Singer,’ said Keith, as though it was obvious.
‘I… she… you…’ spluttered Danny.
‘Like I said, pretty girl,’ said Keith. ‘I always thought you two would look good together. All I’ll say is—let this recent little episode of mine be a lesson to you.’
‘What do you mean?’ said Danny.
‘I mean, none of us know how long we’ve got,’ said Keith, his voice grave. ‘You’re single. She’s single…’
‘Ha! Yeah, Brian would love that,’ said Danny, rolling his eyes.
‘Good. It would serve him right to see his daughter fall for a Dalton,’ said Keith. ‘Maybe you should take the fact she’s back in town as a sign that it’s time to do something about it.’
‘Something?’ said Danny.
‘Don’t be dense, lad,’ said Keith with a sigh. ‘You know the kind of something I mean. Sweep her off her feet, romance her.’
‘Romance her?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is that an order?’ said Danny faintly.
‘Do you know what?’ said Keith, letting out a massive yawn. ‘I think it might be.’