laughter lines around those blue, blue eyes. Yes, he looked worn, like a man who had lived.
‘You’re looking good yourself,’ she said, and realised that there was at least some element of truth in that. ‘It’s so lovely to see you.’
‘Derek and Anne not with ye?’ he asked.
Marie gathered herself, as she had done for the last twenty years whenever anyone had asked about Derek.
‘Let’s sit down – if you’ve got a minute? – and I’ll tell you all my news,’ she said, summoning a smile and patting the bench beside her as she resumed her seat.
Well, it was hardly ‘all her news’, Marie reflected as she watched Danny walk away. She’d given him a much-edited version of the last twenty years, an account that actually held one very important lie.
She waved and smiled as he turned back and blew her a kiss. Off to his work, he’d said, and his maintenance of the Blue Bench could wait awhile as she was sitting on it. Such a kind man, though she knew he no doubt flirted with all the female visitors. It was a wonder he got any work done at all.
Danny, too, was thinking about the meeting. He’d felt what was almost a surge of joy when he’d clapped eyes on Marie, sitting there all alone, and though his heart had gone out to her as she related the sad event of her widowhood, he couldn’t help reflecting – and may the Good Lord forgive him – that now she was a free woman. Of course, she lived in Cheshire, but he’d really like to see her again if it were possible.
You’re a silly old fool, so ye are, he chastised himself. If she only knew what ye were thinking no doubt she would run a mile in the opposite direction. And how is anything to come of ye wishing to know the darlin’ woman better anyway?
Still, he was ever the optimist, as evidenced by his love of a bet on the horses, and stranger things had happened than two lonely people getting together in their later years.
Danny had not been long gone about his business when Eileen and Tony appeared arm in arm. Marie recognised them at once – she had occasionally seen them around town at home – but she particularly noticed now how plump Tony had grown, his once-handsome face jowly and sagging, and how formidable Eileen looked despite the fashionable brightly coloured dress and curly hairdo.
‘Hello, Marie,’ said Eileen frostily.
‘Eileen … Tony.’ Marie stood and half went to hug them like in the old days, then thought better of it and retreated.
‘Shall we sit?’ said Tony with an apologetic smile at Marie, and Eileen immediately seated herself in the middle of the bench so that she would be between Tony and Marie.
There was an uncomfortable silence and Marie knew – just knew with all her heart – that this meeting had been a bad idea. How could she have thought to say what she had so foolishly planned? And out here, in the open air, when anyone passing would see them, might even hear? The air around them seemed crowded with happy memories of long-ago meetings at the Blue Bench, when fish and chips wrapped in newspaper were passed between them, or a bag of humbugs shared as jokes were told and plans for the following day made.
Don’t do it! whispered the demon on her shoulder, and this time her common sense was in agreement: better to test the water first. She took a deep breath and began.
‘I’m in Blackpool for a night or two and found myself staying in the same hotel as you. It seemed silly not to say hello.’
Tony smiled. ‘It’s good to see you again, Marie.’
Eileen said nothing.
Marie swallowed nervously. Oh Lord, this was not going well.
‘So I just thought …’
‘That you’d say hello. Yes, you said,’ said Eileen quietly.
‘… that whatever happened between us, we could maybe put it behind us. That we might … we might …’
‘Forget about it?’ asked Eileen, with a raised eyebrow.
‘Yes … no! Oh, please, I just hoped—’
‘Believe me, Marie, I shall never, ever forget.’ Eileen rose to her feet, turning her stiff back on Marie. ‘Come on, Tony, let’s go and find somewhere nice for lunch.’ And without another word she took his arm and propelled him away, Tony shooting Marie an apologetic glance over his shoulder.
Marie watched them go, feeling very small and very alone. Tears ran down her face. Either she’d gone about that all wrong or – just possibly – it was the worst idea she’d ever had. She owed it to her family to see this through but, with such a reception at the outset, what on earth was she going to do now?
Danny had caught up with John, who wasn’t very far along the railings.
‘I’m slowing down, old boy!’
Danny had to agree, ‘Okay, so we’re just a bit slower and we make the occasional mistake, but who doesn’t?’
John though, remained adamant. ‘I know what you’re saying, and you’re right. But I still worry that no one else would be keen to take us on, because of our age. And even if they did take us on, I very much doubt that we would be offered the same money that we get now.’
Danny had to admit that yes, it was possible they might lose a sizeable part of their income. ‘I understand what you’re saying. But, there’s always a chance they would match what we’ve been earning, especially if we were to show them how good and reliable we are. Like I said, look on the bright side.’
Another unsettling thought crept into John’s worrying thoughts. ‘If our current boss decided not to give us the recommendation we deserve, we might never find anyone to employ us. Or, if we did find work, what if the new boss was a nasty piece of work? I don’t know if I could put up with that, I’m a bit stuck on my ways now. All right, our boss can be a bit mouthy and overbearing at times, but he’s a decent enough sort so long as we get the work done.’
‘Oh, he’s all right.’ Danny was willing to forgive. ‘The thing is, we’re used to his ways. I wouldn’t want to work under a tyrant, whatever the wages might be.’ He bristled, ‘Like as not, I’d probably lose my temper and give him a hiding he wouldn’t forget.’
John couldn’t help but laugh out loud. ‘So! You might give him a hiding, eh? You little runt!’
‘Hmph!’ Moving closer, Danny bunched his fists, pretending to prepare for a fight. ‘Don’t mess with me!’ He had an impish gleam in his eyes. ‘Don’t make the mistake of thinking that small is weak, and old is over, because I’ll have you know – I’m like a raging tiger when I get going—’
‘Is that so? Well, you can get going now, because I just heard someone call out, and it sounded much like the bossman!’ He gave Danny a playful shove that sent him nearer to the tool-shed. ‘If he asks where
