‘Thank you.’ Why was she telling him all her secrets? She could easily have lied. Too late now. ‘Right. Old Oak Lane, here I come.’
‘Herewecome,’ he said, emphasizing the word ‘we’ and tapping her arm with his fingers. ‘I’m your neighbour. I live in the only other cottage in Old Oak Lane.’ He gave her a wink when she turned her head in surprise to face him. ‘My name’s Tom.’
Lara couldn’t believe it. ‘What are the chances? It’s good to meet you, Tom. I’m Lara.’
‘Welcome to Bluewater Bay, Lara,’ Tom said. ‘It’s good to meet you too. I look forward to getting to know you.’
Lara had already told Tom far more than she would have liked. She had a feeling she would probably tell him a lot more if she got to know him better. She wasn’t sure whether or not she liked that idea. She usually kept herself to herself, and avoided people as much as possible. But there was something about this man. She pressed her foot on the accelerator, determined not to speed, but to reach their destination before she had told Tom her entire life story.
She had driven less than half a mile when Tom pointed to what appeared to be a gap in the hedgerow. ‘This is Old Oak Lane.’
Lara burst out laughing. She wasn’t at all sure why, and she was astonished when Tom did the same.
‘Do you think you can find it again?’ Tom continued. ‘Only I am in a hurry. I was running late.’ He chuckled. ‘Well, not so much running as shuffling, but with you giving me a lift I might be on time.’
‘Yes. I’m sure I can, now I know what to look for. Ooh! I can pinpoint the exact location with my car’s navigation system. She found the spot on the map and tapped and held her finger on the screen. A moment later, a red pin appeared on that spot. ‘There. All done. Now where am I taking you?’
‘To my doctor. His surgery is on the other side of the village. You’ll need to turn around again and then head straight on and I’ll give you more directions when we get closer.’
‘Are you okay?’ Lara asked as she performed a second three-point-turn, this time without issue.
‘Fit as a flea and twice as sprightly. The old boy fusses though and insists on seeing me at regular intervals. My grandson’s just as bad. He made this appointment, not me. I wouldn’t go if I had my way. He thinks I overdo it, and that I don’t take enough care of myself.’
‘Is that why you were late? Trying to get out of it?’
Tom shrugged nonchalantly. ‘I fell asleep in my armchair. It was such a lovely morning and the sun was streaming through the window. I just closed my eyes for a second and then I had a wonderful dream. I was with Bonnie and we were having the best time. And then that blasted receptionist at the surgery phoned to remind me to book a cab. She’s such a busy body, that one. Well, I tried. But there weren’t any, so I walked. Don’t remember it being so far. Perhaps my legs are getting shorter.’ He nudged her with his elbow. ‘Truth be told, it’s a blessing you came along when you did.’
‘I’d never have found Old Oak Lane without you. So you’re the blessing.’
‘You’d have found it eventually. And the other end of it is just outside the village, so you could’ve gone that way. Wouldn’t advise it though. The stretch of lane between our cottages currently has a pothole the size of China slap bang in the middle of it, so it’s best if you use the end I just showed you, to get to your cottage, especially if it’s dark. No street lights in Old Oak Lane.’
‘Thanks. That’s good to know. Will they fix the pothole?’
‘Don’t hold your breath.’
‘I get it. There’ve been roadworks near my home in Woking for months and they’ve only just finished. Four months behind schedule.’
‘Humph. In Bluewater Bay, we’d consider that as being done in advance.’ He chuckled and shook his head and then a coughing fit stopped him.
Lara handed him an unopened bottle of water from the cup holder between the seats, and he took a few sips.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Second time you’ve asked me that. I’m fine. I’d be better if this was whisky though. Or beer.’
She grinned at him. ‘I don’t drink and drive.’
He grinned back. ‘Neither do I. But my grandson says I’m enough to drive him to drink sometimes.’ He chuckled again and immediately took another sip of water.
‘Does your grandson live nearby?’
‘No.’
‘Oh. Any other relatives in the vicinity?’
‘No.’
‘Ok-a-y. Will you be all right getting back from the doctor’s surgery? I might be able to come and pick you up, only I’ve got some tradespeople booked to give me quotes for the electrics and the plumbing. I haven’t been to the cottage, but I have seen photos and it looks like it needs work. They won’t be coming for a while though, so if you’re not too long, that should be fine.’
