A large man appeared in the doorway. His hair was wild, his face had a five o’clock shadow and his clothes had seen better days.
‘I’m Bob,’ said the man, holding out a paw-like hand for Sarah to shake. ‘I don’t think we met the last time you were here. Before you panic about getting in the car with a strange man, I should let you know I’m a respectable solicitor. I’m usually much smarter than this, but I’ve been trying to tame the garden all morning and didn’t see the need to change for a trip to the woods.’
Sarah, feeling very overdressed, gave him a smile. ‘I appreciate you giving me a lift. It’s very kind of you.’
Bob guffawed so loud it made Sarah jump. ‘It gets me out of the gardening. Kate’s a hard taskmaster when she wants to be. Don’t let her appearance fool you. She wears the trousers in this operation.’
Bob led Sarah out of the house and to an old Volvo parked outside. ‘Bloody hell, not another parking fine. There’s a lot to recommend this town, but the ferocious parking attendants aren’t one of them.’ He peeled a bright yellow parking ticket from the windscreen and squashed it into his pocket.
Sarah climbed into the ancient car, hoping the journey wouldn’t be too long. ‘Have you lived in the house long?’ she asked, wanting to sit in silence but knowing it would be uncomfortable.
‘No, only a few months. Me and Kate have been friends since the day she arrived in town, but we dragged our heels with anything more. How about you? Do you live alone? I think Kate misses the solitude sometimes.’
‘No, I live with my parents. Lived with my parents, I should say. They’re selling up.’
‘Hence the move?’
‘Yes.’
The car putted its way through the town’s streets, spewing out smoke from the exhaust and contributing more than its fair share to global warming.
‘Kate wants me to get rid of this old beast,’ said Bob. ‘But I love this car for all her faults.’ He stroked a hand across the dashboard and Sarah wondered if he were mad.
‘I’ve never learned to drive,’ said Sarah.
‘Really?’ said Bob, so shocked he stared at her too long for someone who should watch the road. ‘How do you manage?’
‘There’s good public transport where I live.’
‘Crikey, you’ll have your work cut out getting around if you move down here. Our public transport system leaves a lot to be desired.’
‘So I’ve heard.’
‘Might be time to get your licence, hey?’
‘If I could afford it, I would.’
‘Have you thought about getting an electric bike? I know they’re expensive, but it would save you a fortune in the long run.’
‘Maybe,’ said Sarah. The last time she’d been on a bike was the day Mark left her, and she had no intention of taking up cycling now.
Bob turned into a lane only narrow enough for one car at a time. Sarah felt frustration building as they waited, drove, reversed, reversed some more, before pulling into a large car park.
‘If you go down to the woods today…’ sang Bob.
Sarah winced in embarrassment. She hoped he wasn’t planning to come inside with her. It would be like turning up to an interview with her dad.
‘Thanks for the lift. I can make my own way back if you have things to do?’
‘All I have planned is a stroll through these beautiful trees. I’m happy to give you a lift home after your interview. There’s no rush, I’ve got my book with me,’ he said, patting the back pocket of his trousers.
‘Thank you, that’s very kind. I’ll call you when I’m done.’
Sarah and Bob swapped numbers, and she left him by the car, pulling on a pair of wellington boots. As she walked through the car park, Sarah realised the error of her ways. Her heels caught on stones, flicking mud up the back of her tights. She straightened her smart jacket and ran a hand through her hair.
The café appeared through the trees like something from a fairy tale. Strings of glittering lights brightened the stone exterior on the dull day, bunting hung from the door-frame and pots of ferns and flowers garnished every window.
Sarah pushed the door open, a tinkling bell announcing her arrival. The first thing to hit her was the heat. An open fire blazed in the far wall, sofas and armchairs pulled around it as families and walkers warmed up after their time outside.
