‘Will do. Give me your number. But I’m sure he’s fine.’
Lara left her details and then called Bonnie’s Diner. She had a similar conversation, and again, the person who answered the phone was friendly, but perhaps a tad cautious. That wasn’t a bad thing. Better to be safe than sorry, and Lara could be anyonefor all they knew. Perhaps she should go and introduce herself to a few people, as Jenny had suggested.
‘No,’ the person eventually said once Lara had explained who she was. ‘We haven’t seen Tom today. Should we be worried? Have you spoken to his grandson?’
‘Sort of. I think he answered the video doorbell from wherever he is right now, but he said he was busy and hung up. I don’t have his number. Or Tom’s. If I did, I’d call him. Or send him a text. I’m probably being silly and Tom is fine, but … I’m a bit of a worrier.’
‘I’m the same, lovely. We do have a contact number. Hold on and I’ll get it. I know we’ve got it here somewhere. Ah yes. Here it is. Do you have a pen?’
‘No. But I have a good memory, and I can make a note on my phone.’
The woman reeled the number off. ‘I’m sure Tom is fine. He’s a tough old boot. But do let me know if anything is wrong. I’m Maud.’
‘Thanks, Maud. I’ll let you know.’
Lara rang off and took a deep breath. Would Tom be cross if she called him? If she asked him how he was, he might ignore her. Or tell her to mind her own business. But at least then she would know he was okay.
But Greg had said she was spying on her neighbour. That might’ve been a joke, but it was sort of true in a way. The only reason she was worried was because Tom’s lights were off last night and again this morning. Which meant she had been watching his cottage, even if it was only for a few minutes each time.
But there was now the fact that he wasn’t at home, and he wasn’t at the pub or the diner. Or was she taking this a step too far? She was not a people person yet here she was gettinginvolved in other people’s lives and the only thing she had to go on was that her neighbour hadn’t turned on his lights.
Or answered his door.
Or been to either of his favourite places.
She would send that text.
No wait.
She could send him a text saying that she wondered if he was free for a pie and a pint. He would be bound to text her back if she said that, and it was much better than asking him how he was.
‘Hi,’ she typed. ‘Pie and a pint on me later, if you fancy it. Assuming I can find my way to the pub. I can come and get you. Let me know. Your neighbour, Lara.’
She didn’t have too long to wait for a reply and she breathed out a sigh of relief. Until she read the text.
‘Wrong number.’
What did that mean? She had sent the text to the number Maud had given her. Unless…
Oh no. Had Maud given her Tom’s grandson’s number by mistake? Damn.
But that wasn’t all bad. He would have Tom’s number and could give Tom a call. That would resolve the matter quickly and easily.
This was getting serious. If she called Tom’s grandson and worried him, and then it transpired that Tom was fine, neither the grandson, nor Tom, would be pleased. But would they really blame her for caring?
‘To hell with it,’ she said, dialling what she now assumed was the grandson’s number. Why hadn’t she asked Maud for the man’s name?
The phone rang once and then went dead. She could almost visualise the jerk declining her call because it was an unknown number.
But she did that sometimes. Especially if she was busy.
She would try again.
This time the call went straight to voicemail, but that didn’t give a name, just a brief message, so she still wasn’t sure who she was calling.
‘Leave your name and number and I’ll get back to you.’
‘Sorry to bother you, but I’m assuming you’re Tom’s grandson and I’m worried about your grandfather. My name’s Lara and I’m Tom’s new neighbour. I met him yesterday. The thing is, he’s not answering his door. You did. Well, the doorbell. And he’s not in the pub or the diner. And his lights were off early last night and weren’t on this morning. I’m just trying to check if he’s okay. Could you please call him and find out. I know you said you were busy, and if he’s fine then I’m sorry to have troubled you but … he was doddery yesterday and I’m worried. Could you ping me a text just saying. ‘Tom’s fine’, please, if he is? And if he isn’t … erm. No. I’m not thinking like that. Thanks.’
