Read Online Nearest Thing to Crazy by Elizabeth Forbes - Free Book Online
Authors: Elizabeth Forbes
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donkey sanctuary. Hardly a big pull for a Saturday night out. We’d ask you to come, Ellie, but it’s not quite Chelsea Arts Club, is it?’
‘If it means I have to dye my hair silver and don a printed frock and crocheted cardigan, then I’m game.’
‘Trust me, it’s really not your thing.’
‘I think you’re being unkind, Dan. At least they’re trying to get everyone involved to encourage a sense of community.’ It was almost as though he was showing off in front of Ellie, trying to be Mr Uber Cool.
‘Quite right. I intend to practise my pickling skills so that I get well and truly accepted in the village,’ Ellie said.
‘God preserve us,’ Dan sighed.
‘And our prize preserves . . .’ she quipped.
Dan laughed almost cruelly, as if it was the funniest little pun he had heard all week. I didn’t think it was that funny. Dan knew I entered my pickles into the local competitions. Sometimes they even won, thanks in no small way to Dan’s mother’s own recipes.
‘I ought to get going, leave you two in peace,’ she said. ‘I left my car at the Gales’ last night. We had quite a boozy supper – it was really good fun. I couldn’t believe how late it was when the party finally broke up. Thank God someone gave me a lift home. I think if I keep walking they’re not too much further, are they?’
‘About another fifteen minutes or so.’
‘‘I was hoping I’d make it there before the heavens opened. Looks pretty threatening, doesn’t it?’ Ellie said, staring out of the window at a smattering of clouds which showed the tiniest tinge of grey.
‘Dan, why don’t you run Ellie up there?’ I said. ‘You wanted to talk to Nick about the quiz, didn’t you?’
‘God, no. No, really, there’s absolutely no need. Coco and I will enjoy the walk . . .’
‘Nonsense. Dan really does need to talk to Nick, so it’s no trouble. Dan?’
‘No trouble at all.’ He picked up his car keys.
‘Well, if you really are sure, that’s terribly kind.’
Ellie patted her leg, summoning the dog to follow her. ‘I feel really lucky to have you both so close to me. I know I’m going to love living here.’
‘Me too.’ I smiled. I don’t know why I’d suggested Dan give her a lift. Perhaps I was still imagining that we were friends, kindred spirits, but after they’d gone I was left with only the silence of the house for company once more, the ticking of the clock the only disturbance in the room. Tick-tick-tick it went on, relentlessly . . . and for once I didn’t find its steady march soothing; I wanted to stop it, to make time stand still. I couldn’t tell why, I only knew that I did.
CHAPTER
3
Dan didn’t come back for almost an hour, and in the meantime I’d pulled out the straggling remains of the spent broad beans and made a start on digging over the bed, enjoying the repetitive movement of the spade slipping into the soil aided by my boot. The few clouds that Ellie had found so threatening had magically disappeared, and the warmth of the sun on my back and the soporific sound of the insects buzzing around me was soothing. I assumed he’d probably stopped for drinks with the Gales. I rarely saw Jules, Nick’s wife, these days as she was always so busy with the lettings business, but I imagined she would be forming part of Ellie’s new gang, especially as she was her new tenant. I wondered who else would have been at supper last night. Amelia perhaps, and Sally?
When I heard Dan’s car I didn’t look up, but carried on with my labours. I didn’t want him to think I’d been fretting over how long he’d been.
‘Here you are. I couldn’t find you. Might have guessed . . . Jules and Nick send their love, and I’ve invited Ellie for lunch tomorrow.’
‘Really? That’s good.’ I shoved the spade back in the soil. I turned over the earth and pulled the spade out once more before slicing it back in. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I don’t think I realized I hadn’t
‘If it means I have to dye my hair silver and don a printed frock and crocheted cardigan, then I’m game.’
‘Trust me, it’s really not your thing.’
‘I think you’re being unkind, Dan. At least they’re trying to get everyone involved to encourage a sense of community.’ It was almost as though he was showing off in front of Ellie, trying to be Mr Uber Cool.
‘Quite right. I intend to practise my pickling skills so that I get well and truly accepted in the village,’ Ellie said.
‘God preserve us,’ Dan sighed.
‘And our prize preserves . . .’ she quipped.
Dan laughed almost cruelly, as if it was the funniest little pun he had heard all week. I didn’t think it was that funny. Dan knew I entered my pickles into the local competitions. Sometimes they even won, thanks in no small way to Dan’s mother’s own recipes.
‘I ought to get going, leave you two in peace,’ she said. ‘I left my car at the Gales’ last night. We had quite a boozy supper – it was really good fun. I couldn’t believe how late it was when the party finally broke up. Thank God someone gave me a lift home. I think if I keep walking they’re not too much further, are they?’
‘About another fifteen minutes or so.’
‘‘I was hoping I’d make it there before the heavens opened. Looks pretty threatening, doesn’t it?’ Ellie said, staring out of the window at a smattering of clouds which showed the tiniest tinge of grey.
‘Dan, why don’t you run Ellie up there?’ I said. ‘You wanted to talk to Nick about the quiz, didn’t you?’
‘God, no. No, really, there’s absolutely no need. Coco and I will enjoy the walk . . .’
‘Nonsense. Dan really does need to talk to Nick, so it’s no trouble. Dan?’
‘No trouble at all.’ He picked up his car keys.
‘Well, if you really are sure, that’s terribly kind.’
Ellie patted her leg, summoning the dog to follow her. ‘I feel really lucky to have you both so close to me. I know I’m going to love living here.’
‘Me too.’ I smiled. I don’t know why I’d suggested Dan give her a lift. Perhaps I was still imagining that we were friends, kindred spirits, but after they’d gone I was left with only the silence of the house for company once more, the ticking of the clock the only disturbance in the room. Tick-tick-tick it went on, relentlessly . . . and for once I didn’t find its steady march soothing; I wanted to stop it, to make time stand still. I couldn’t tell why, I only knew that I did.
CHAPTER
3
Dan didn’t come back for almost an hour, and in the meantime I’d pulled out the straggling remains of the spent broad beans and made a start on digging over the bed, enjoying the repetitive movement of the spade slipping into the soil aided by my boot. The few clouds that Ellie had found so threatening had magically disappeared, and the warmth of the sun on my back and the soporific sound of the insects buzzing around me was soothing. I assumed he’d probably stopped for drinks with the Gales. I rarely saw Jules, Nick’s wife, these days as she was always so busy with the lettings business, but I imagined she would be forming part of Ellie’s new gang, especially as she was her new tenant. I wondered who else would have been at supper last night. Amelia perhaps, and Sally?
When I heard Dan’s car I didn’t look up, but carried on with my labours. I didn’t want him to think I’d been fretting over how long he’d been.
‘Here you are. I couldn’t find you. Might have guessed . . . Jules and Nick send their love, and I’ve invited Ellie for lunch tomorrow.’
‘Really? That’s good.’ I shoved the spade back in the soil. I turned over the earth and pulled the spade out once more before slicing it back in. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I don’t think I realized I hadn’t
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