Brooke closed the inner door and was trapped in the vestibule for a moment. Should she just get out, maybe try the off-licences in the village instead? But it was a long walk and all she wanted was a couple of bottles. She opened the door a crack and sneaked another look. Benson was taking the camera from Douglas, who appeared to be whispering instructions to Benson. Almost reluctantly, she saw Benson slide the camera inside his own pocket. Why did that camera look so familiar?
Just at that moment, the outer door of the pub opened and in stepped Robert Farrah and his fiancée. And at that instant, she realised where and when she had seen that camera before.
Brooke turned and ran past the two newcomers and fled out into the night.
****
"I wonder what the matter was with her?" said Nasreen, watching the retreating sight of Brooke Ames.
Robert was already trying to get Maddy’s attention in order to be served. "Goodness knows," he said without even bothering to look. "I’ve spent enough time teaching young girls to not worry what makes them tick."
"That’s not very professional of you," said Nasreen, mock-serious. As Robert was getting their drinks she looked round at the other customers of The Stormy Petrel. It was a fairly quiet night, at least so far. But it was not an interest in how well business was doing – she had some time ago developed a consciousness of how white people sometimes reacted to her in various surroundings, especially pubs. On this occasion, however, she could see no reaction, just a few people sat around chatting and having drinks. In particular, she noticed Douglas, whom she remembered meeting earlier that day, and another man, in animated conversation, paying her no heed whatsoever – somewhat to her relief. She even noticed pass the other man an expensive-looking camera that the latter swiftly slipped into an inner pocket. Why, the camera reminded her of fiancé’s own camera, the one he said he couldn’t find… Just ordinary people going about ordinary things.
At that moment, two other women, one somewhat younger than the other but both less than middle-age, entered The Stormy Petrel. At least, though Nasreen to herself, there seemed to be no left-over of the old-fashioned notion that nice women didn’t go into bars alone. She thought she might get to like living in Magnolia Close.
"What do you want to drink?" Jade asked Tricia.
"No, no – my treat."
"Well, I was going to have a white wine. But if you’re paying, do you think I could have a vodka and tonic?"
Tricia hesitated. "Why not? It’s not every day you start a new job. Maddy?"
"Yes, Trish. And this is? – "
"Jade," she announced herself.
"What will it be?"
"Two vodka and tonics."
"Large ones," Jade added.
****
"You took your time," said Maxwell.
"I couldn’t go to The Petrel. I had to go all the way to the ‘Offy.’"
"Why?"
"Douglas and Maddy for a start. We’re supposed to be baby-sitting for them."
"Yeah, well. Douglas broke that deal. There weren’t any beers in the fridge all along. And I bet he knew it. Couldn’t you have got the landlord, old man Spencer, to serve you while Maddy wasn’t looking?"
"And there was your Dad, too. Talking with Douglas."
"What for?"
"How would I know what for…" Brooke bit her lip. "Was your Dad planning on buying anything off Douglas?"
"Such as what? He hasn’t even got the money for a pint half the time."
"I dunno. It looked like Douglas was giving him a camera."
"And where would somebody like Douglas get a camera from?" said Maxwell. He was also wondering what his father might do with a new camera.
****
Meanwhile down at The Stormy Petrel, Maddy was getting agitated. "Mr Spencer?" she said to the landlord – she always called him by his formal name whenever she wanted a favour – "Can you spare me for just a minute?"
Alan Spencer looked at his watch. "Make sure it is only a minute. We’re having quite a busy night for a midweek."
Maddy slipped from behind the bar and hurried over to Douglas. "Don’t you think you ought to be getting back to Bethany at this time of night?"
Douglas was about a third drunk. "There’s no need to rush back just yet. Brooke Ames and that you lad Max are looking after her."
"And who’s looking after them?"
Douglas ignored her point. "Besides, I’ve got a bit of cash to spare. I was thinking of making a night of it."
"How about making a night of it when we can both enjoy it?" She hissed.
"But everybody’s having fun," he protested. "Look at those two." He nodded in the direction of Tricia and Jade, who seemed to have their heads together sharing a huge joke. Although, to be fair, Jade was doing more of the laughing. At that moment, Liam ‘Buster’ Keaton also entered The Petrel. Douglas’ expression changed in a flash. "On second thoughts, maybe I ought to get back home. See what those young’uns are up to." Barely draining his glass, he was gone, leaving by the car-park exit.
Maddy was quick to get back behind the bar. "Yes, Mr Keaton, what can I get for you?"
Buster might have paid more attention to the sudden departure of Douglas, when Jade again burst out with girlish laughter.
"Whatever they’re having," he said with a grin. "On second thoughts, better make it a pint of bitter."
****
Some time later, Tricia and Jade staggered back into number 21, Magnolia Close. Jade seemed rather the worse for wear and Tricia had to help her upstairs.
"Oh I feel so… silly…" Jade sighed as she sank down on to her bed. "Can you help me take my shoes off?"
"Moxie," said Tricia.
"What?"
"Moxie. My cat. I must feed him before I go to bed. And don’t forget, we’ve both got to get up for work tomorrow." She lifted Jade’s feet on to the bed.
"Tomorrow’s a million miles away," Jade sighed, her eyes closing. As Tricia tried to draw the duvet over Jade, Jade put her arms around Tricia’s shoulders. "A million miles away." She pulled Tricia gently to her and kissed her on the lips. Tricia pulled back, disentangling herself.
"Moxie. Must go and feed Moxie," she said.
End Of Episode 10
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