Magnolia Close Episode 18. Crossed Wires.

"So you are going to school today, after all?" said Martha.

"Of course," said Brooke, "why not?"

"You weren’t so keen a few days ago."

"I want to get my A levels. I’ve got resits in two months."

"I’m glad you’re sounding more confident."

"Yeah. I think I’m going to do well this time round," said Brooke.

"It’s good you approve of Hope Academy now. I’ve been thinking I might enrol there on a night-school class."

"Doing what?"

"They run a course in business administration. Advanced secretarial, word-processing and so on. I thought it might be a good idea if I’m to get back the world of work. Help out with the pennies. We could always do with a bit extra."

"That’s true enough. We don’t know what trouble Dad will be in yet after his caveman behaviour."

"Let’s not dwell on that," said Martha.

Celine, looking on, was horrified. "You’re thinking of going to that dump of a school too?"

"Why not?" said Martha. "You’re never too old to learn."

"I think it will do Mum good to see what we have to go through," said Brooke to Celine.

Celine collapsed on the sofa with a long face. "I think everybody in this family has gone nuts."

"Keep you eyes closed," said Ashleigh. "OK, here’s your surprise – you can open them now."

Benson did he was told and gasped in amazement at what he saw. "A digital SLR!" He picked up the camera and handled it almost as if it were a religious treasure. He spoke in quiet awe. "Where on Earth did you get the money to buy this?"

"I got it from the magazine. Women Talk give discounts to their staff sometimes on second-hand bits and pieces. I played up being a graphic artist and said how it would help me in my work and they offered it to me. Plus I’ve got a bonus this month for finishing my probation there."

"You’re permanent staff now?" Benson was delighted.

"You betcha!" Ashleigh beamed.

"Wow – things are certainly looking up for this family."

"Well… I saw how disappointed you were when you had to hand back that other camera. Promise me you’ll never have anything to do with that Douglas again. He’s as bent as a dog’s hind leg."

"I promise. No problem."

Walter carried two cups of tea into the lounge. He handed one to Gladys and sat down beside her, taking a sip.

"You do realise – this wedding anniversary coming up will be our Jubilee wedding."

"What?" said Gladys.

"I know – it’s hard to believe – fifties years of ‘bledded wiss,’" he joked. "Doesn’t seem a day over forty-five."

"What our you talking about?" Gladys looked vaguely shocked.

"Our wedding anniversary. I suppose we’d better make it a big do. Invite all the family. We don’t know when we might get the chance again to be all together for a celebration."

"Fifty years? It’s not that long. I’ll have to check with my husband."

Walter was startled. He put down his tea. "Gladys – what’s the matter? I am your husband."

"Oh no," said Gladys, gravely. "My husband is a much younger man."

As Daisy Woods entered Greenfields Surgery she was pleased to see the familiar face of Tricia McAndrew behind the desk. However she was somewhat surprised by her expression – she seemed to be just staring into space.

"Hello, Tricia. Is everything alright?"

"What? Oh, I’m sorry – I didn’t see you there."

"I gathered that. You know, the French have a phrase for that – ‘Your mind was on the moon.’ Is anything the matter?"

"No… no," Tricia hesitated. "I think I’m just finding it’s taking me longer than I expected getting used to a house-share."

"Is it going alright? I thought Jade worked with you here."

"It’s her day off today. We cover some different shifts. Perhaps it’s just as well – I think I still need a little time on my own."

"So you wouldn’t be interested in meeting up at The Petrel tonight for a drink?"

Tricia managed a grin. "Now I didn’t say that. The only thing that would stop me is if I had a date with a fellah."

"You likely to get a date?"

"I was thinking I just might. But it seems to be turning out to be only wishful thinking," she sighed. "Anyway, what can I do for you?"

"I need to make an appointment with Dr Fry. I’m still worried about Luther. He’s still losing weight. Even his pants keep slipping down like they’re a size too big. I want him to have a check-up."

"OK – when would suit you?"

Jade was relaxing at home in Number 23 when the telephone rang.

"Hello?"

A male voice answered. "Hi. Is Tricia there?"

"Who’s speaking, please?"

"My name’s Jonathan. We met the other night. You’d be the friend she was with, I guess."

"Ah Jonathan. Tricia said you might call. She left a message – she said she was not interested in seeing you again. I’m sorry."

"Oh. That’s a bit cold. Are you sure?"

"Definite. Those were her exact words."

"Goodnight, everybody," said Tricia as she was leaving the surgery.

"You not doing anything tonight?" said Helen, the on-duty receptionist.

"No – chance would be a fine thing. Just meeting a friend, that’s all."

As Tricia stepped outside, her mobile rang. She didn’t recognise the number.

"Hello, who’s that?"

"I’m Jonathan," came the voice. "We met the other night and you gave me both your numbers. Is that your house-mate on your land-land?"

"I suppose so."

"I’m just checking – did you tell her to say you didn’t want to see me again?"

"No! Definitely not. I've been hoping you would call."

"So you wouldn’t mind going out for a drink – say this Friday?"

"That would be lovely. When and where?"

"That’s a relief," said Jonathan. "Your house-mate must have got her wires crossed."

"She must," said Tricia. After the call, arrangements made, Tricia said to herself, "I think it’s about time I uncrossed them."

End Of Episode 18.

Magnolia Close Episode 17. Negotiations

As the postman approached number 24, Magnolia Close, that morning, he could hear raised voices. All female, an adult and, he presumed, two children. He didn’t need to get that near to hear them either. He certainly knew better than to hang around. He dropped two items of mail and beat a prudent, hasty retreat.

"I am not going to that school again!" Brooke was shouting at her mother, Martha.

"Me neither," Celine added.

"How are you going to pass your re-sits if you don’t go to school? And now look what you’ve done? You’ve upset Celine!"

"I’ve upset Celine? What about me? Doesn’t it matter if I’m upset? Never mind that little twit."

"Brooke!" Martha was really mad now, and she meant it. "You are not to call your sister things like that. I’ve warned you once. I will not put up with it and you are going to be in serious trouble."

The doorbell rang. Martha could not say what serious trouble Brooke would be in. Embarrassed, she gave a side-long nod to her two daughters. "The pair of you – get in the kitchen." Martha straightened herself and attempted to hide the anger from her face before opening the door.

"Mrs Ames? I’m Robert Farrah. I was wondering whether I could have a word with you."

Jade shuffled into the kitchen still in her dressing gown to find Tricia already there sipping a cup of coffee.

"Gosh – you’re up with the lark."

"I know. I woke early and couldn’t get back to sleep."

"But it’s Saturday – our day off. No sick people bothering us at the health centre. It was a good night, wasn’t it?"

"Not bad, I suppose. I got some guy asking me for my phone number."

"Never! Really? Lucky old you. What was he like?"

"OK, I suppose."

"Think he’ll call?"

"Do they ever?" Tricia sipped at her coffee. "Well sometimes they do. Sometimes, when you see them a second time you wish they hadn’t bothered!"

They both laughed. "Tell me about it," said Jade.

"Did you get any chat-up lines?"

"No. I struck out. It must have been your lucky night."

Tricia paused. "Listen, Jade." She hesitated. "Don’t take this the wrong way, but we might both have done better if we’d split up a little – given the guys more of a chance."

"Was I crowding you? Oh, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to."

"No, not at all. But perhaps if we had some secret signal we could give each other – you know – if one of us is getting a bite – then the other would realise to, sort of, leave some space."

"Of course," said Jade. "Whatever you like."

"And the same would go for me if you had someone showing interest – then I would know to back off."

"Gotcha. Absolutely."

"And if some guy called Jonathan phones, hand him over to me!" Tricia forced a laugh.

"Yeah. Right."

"I am sorry about what happened to your husband," said Robert Farrah. "There’s nothing I could do."

"Couldn’t you just drop the charges?" said Martha Ames.

"I wish. The headmistress, Mrs Groves, is insisting on a prosecution, I’m afraid. It’s all part of a policy of zero tolerance of violence towards teachers. A sign of our times, I’m afraid."

"I understand," said Martha. "The thing I’m really worried about is if this gets back to his employers. He could lose his job."

"Has he ever been in trouble with the law before."

"No," she was shocked. "I don’t know what has come over him."

"You’ve no idea?"

"None. Celine’s been difficult, but what do you expect with a new school? Dennis had a word with Brooke to keep an eye on her because she’s back at Hope Academy doing re-sits. I don’t know whether it was something she said that made Dennis so angry but whatever it was, it’s no excuse."

"Hmm." Robert reflected. "I was wondering – would it be possible for me to have a word with Brooke? In private?"

"In private?" Martha hesitated. "I’m not sure that would be a good idea."

"I quite understand. It’s just that, sometimes, school children have things that they won’t open up about in front of their parents. You know the sort of thing – not handing homework, struggling with some topic."

"Where were you thinking?" Martha still wasn’t sure.

"If we could just go for a walk – out in public. I wouldn’t want to whisk her away where no-one could see us, if that’s what you’re thinking."

"Very well," she said. "I’ll go and ask her. She may say no."

"Of course."

Robert Farrah and Brooke Ames had walked in a tense silence to the gardens at the end of Magnolia Close.

"Brooke, what’s wrong?"

She didn’t answer.

"Have we ever met before? Have I ever done anything to you in a past life that I’ve forgotten about that makes you want to spread stories about me?"

"No."

"Then what is it? Whatever you told your father has landed him in trouble with the police, and your mother says that it may even affect his job. If you are going to go to university you are going to need all the financial help they can give. Why are you telling tales about me?

"They’re not tales! My best friend told me about what you got up to at your last school before you came here!"

"And you believed her, just like that?"

"Why not?"

"Because they are just tales. Something somebody made up. If you check you will find I left that school without a blot on my character. Coming to Hope Academy was for a better job, that’s all. Now I’d like you to stop spreading rumours before they cause any more harm. Can you do that?"

"Perhaps," she sulked. "What’s in it for me?"

"I see, It’s like that, is it?"

"Why not?"

"You’ve got re-sits coming up, haven’t you. Maybe I could help."

"Get me through?"

"Yes. Sort something. Deal?"

She hesitated. "Deal."

End Of Episode 17.

Magnolia Close Episode 16. Motives And Secrets

Dennis Ames marched up to the reception desk of Hope Academy with a look on his face that no-one should cross him. The receptionist, Mrs Cooke, looked up.

"Can I help you, Mr… er…?

"Ames. I’m Dennis Ames. I’ve come to see the headmistress."

"Do you have an appointment to see Mrs Groves, Mr Ames?"

"I’ve not taken time off work just to mess about making appointments."

"I’m sorry, but Mrs Groves is very busy – "

"Either she can see me now or I’m going to the police!"

"What’s it in connection with?" Mrs Cooke tried to remain calm.

"It’s in connection with," Dennis Ames said, mocking her, "the fact that you’ve got a pervert working here as a teacher!"

Foster looked up as the shop door to Paws For Thought opened and his wife, Daisy, came in. "Oh," he said, "I was half-hoping you were another customer."

"So we’ve had some then?"

"Yes, sort of. In body, if not in spirit."

"How do you mean?" Daisy said, donning an overall coat as she slipped behind the counter.

"I dunno," Foster hesitated. "That old dear, Mrs Ashton, was in here to buy some millet for her bird."

"I didn’t know she still had a bird. I thought her budgie died some time back."

"So did I. But she insisted she still had him."

Daisy started unbuttoning her husband’s overall to hurry him home. The sooner he got back from lunch, the sooner she could leave. "Odd," she said.

"That’s what I thought. Then there was that woman from the health centre –what’s-her-name?"

"Tricia, you mean?"

"That’s her. She came in looking half lost to collect her regular order."

"The cat-food? What was wrong with her?"

"Nothing. Only looked like her mind was on another planet."

"Don’t be like that! I like Tricia. I went to see her about Luther the other day. She’s very nice."

"What’s wrong with Luther?" Foster bent to pick up his coat. Even autumn in England still felt cold to him.

"You haven’t listened to a word I’ve said about him lately, have you?"

"Well, what then?"

"The fact the he’s always eating yet he’s as thin as a rake."

"He’s a growing boy. You worry too easy."

"And here’s you, worrying about your customers. Tricia’s probably got a lot on her mind."

"Such as what?"

"Having a new house-mate for a start. It must take a bit of getting used to."

"I know who you mean now – that new young woman who’s just moved in."

"Keep your eyes off her," Daisy said, catching a note in his voice. "She’s nearer Luther’s age than yours."

"That wasn’t what I was thinking," Foster countered.

"Well, what then?"

"Just that – if business here doesn’t pick up soon, we might be looking for a lodger."

"And where would we put Luther?"

"In the shed, maybe?"

Tricia had arrived at the surgery early despite her shopping trip. As much as anything she had wanted to get out of the house before Jade was up. There would be no avoiding her at work however. She deliberately busied herself with double-checking the phoned-in requests for repeat prescriptions, even though one of the practice nurses would go through them anyway and prepare them for a GP’s signature. She just needed to be doing something by the time Jade got there.

Sure enough, Jade arrived, bang on time. I can’t fault her for punctuality, Tricia thought.

"Good morning," said Jade.

"What? Yes. A good morning. Fine." Tricia stared even harder at the requests.

"What are you doing?"

"These."

"They’re repeat requests, aren’t they? I thought you said we only noted them down then passed them on?"

Tricia stopped. This was no good. She would have to think of something else. No – that wouldn’t work either. She would have to face this head on. "About the other night, she said at last.

"Yes?"

Tricia stared hard into the middle distance. "I just need you to know that… that I don’t do that sort of thing."

"What sort of thing?"

"You know."

"Kiss?" Jade looked genuinely shocked.

"Not with – with other girls!"

Jade’s jaw dropped. "Goodness! I didn’t – I mean I’m not –"

"Now if there was a nice boy around, then that might be a different story."

Jade continued to look horrified with shock. "Well – the same goes for me too. I didn’t mean to make you think I was coming on to you."

"It’s just not right."

"Of course not. I’m boys only too." Jade looked up to the ceiling as if seeking help. "I can’t believe you thought that I was… it was just a goodnight kiss. Perhaps it was a bit too much. But I’d had a lot to drink. It wasn’t meant as anything like that. Honestly."

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Now I feel even more stupid. You just seemed to be a bit too affectionate."

"I know I can be a terrible flirt especially when I’ve had a drink or two. But that’s all it was. But don’t feel stupid. I’m the one who’s made a fool of herself."

"Oh no, you’ve not. Let’s just call it quits. What I’d really like is too meet a half decent fellah. I’ve been trying for so long, but always seem to get the useless ones."

"Tell me about it," said Jade. "Tell you what – this week-end let’s go uptown and paint the place red. Go man-hunting."

Tricia sighed with relief. "OK. Let’s."

"Good. Sorted." said Jade. She took a side-long glance at Tricia.

Pity.

"Mr Ames," said Mrs Groves, the headmistress of Hope Academy, "Mr Farrah is on his way to my office right now. I don’t know why your daughter, Celine, has been getting so upset in her lessons, but I am sure we can sort this out."

Dennis Ames nodded without speaking. There was a knock at the door and Robert Farrah came in. "Mrs Groves? How can I help?"

"I’ll show you how," said Dennis, and promptly punched Robert in the face. "Kiddy-fiddler!

End Of Episode 16

Magnolia Close Episode 15. The Awful Truth.

Foster Woods was opening up Paws For Thought, the pet shop that his father, Zachary, had left to him and which Zachary himself had started many years ago, after he had come to England from The Caribbean.

Zachary had emigrated hoping for a better life, with all the economic opportunities the centre of The Commonwealth had to offer. But the streets had not been paved with gold and jobs were erratic. Finally, he decided to become self-employed. All in all, it had been a good move. Success in business was said to depend on location and he had picked a good place selling pet supplies in a reasonably affluent area.

Foster reflected that another piece of good luck was needed now. Customers had become increasingly scarce in the current economy, and takings had been dwindling for some time. He was therefore grateful to see a familiar customer already waiting at the door.

"Good morning, Tricia, how are you today?"

"What?" Tricia seemed startled by the question. "Oh, I’m… I’m fine, thank you."

"Now there’s a face that hides a few thoughts. It’s not Moxie, your cat, causing that frown, is it?"

"No," Tricia shook her head. "No. It’s… it’s nothing really."

"That’s a relief. Your usual order, is it? I’ll take it out to your car."

Just at that moment, a less familiar figure entered the shop.

"Hello, Mrs Ashton. Long time since you been here."

"Is it?" Gladys said, a little surprised. "I just want some millet for my Joey."

"You’ve got a new budgie then?

"Joey? No. We’ve had him for ages. What a thing to say."

Foster shot a glance at Tricia and was about to make a comment, but he could see he was not likely to get much of a response. Sometimes customers could be baffling. Interesting but baffling.

Sammy opened the door to find Buster Keaton on the step. It was unusual for him to have callers on his day off and preferred not to be interrupted in what had become his routine.

"Mr Carter? I want to have a word with you. May I come in?"

"Is it important? I was just about to have a nap? Sorry – that was rude. Of course – come in."

Sammy showed Buster into the lounge. "Excuse the mess," he said, removing discarded take-away food cartons from a chair. However, Buster did not sit.

"Mr Carter," Buster pulled out a sheaf of paper printed off from a computer. "Can you explain these photographs? That is you isn’t it?"

Sammy looked at the first two pages and turned white. "Where did you get these?"

"I think you know where. What I want to know is how they got on Mr Farrah’s camera in the first place."

"Oh God…" said Sammy. He moved away and, picking up a bottle of scotch and a glass from the floor, poured himself a very stiff drink.

"It was really, really stupid of me," said Sammy.

"I don’t doubt that. What did you think you were doing?" said Buster.

"You’ve got to understand. It’s ever since the divorce – you knew my wife and I had split up?"

"I think I heard something."

"I thought it would be a trial separation. Then it got to two years, and she sent me the papers… the papers that…" Sammy took a hard drink from his glass.

"What’s this got to do with dirty pictures of yourself?" Buster asked, softly.

"It’s just nuts." A thought struck Sammy, and a look of horror crossed his face. "The hotel doesn’t need to know about this, does it? I’d lose my job. Without that, I’ve had it."

"That depends," said Buster. "Just tell me what happened."

Sammy took a deep breath. "I was doing the round of the rooms. I think I may have had a couple of drinks. Things haven’t… you know? I saw the camera. I just thought it would be, well, be fun, to take a couple of pictures of myself. I’ve been so lonely… it’s been a long time… even before we split up. I just thought it would be fun. I was only borrowing the camera."

"Go on."

"Well, I must have sobered up a bit and tried to delete the pictures but I didn’t know how. I saw the Farrahs coming back. I panicked and put the camera back. I hoped they wouldn’t notice. Afterwards I realised that was … wishful thinking."

"Somewhat," said Buster.

"When I saw them moving in, I decided to see them and own up. When I called on them, though, I just couldn’t. Then I saw the camera, just lying there. I grabbed it and cleared off. But I still couldn’t figure out how to work the bloody thing."

"What did you do then?"

"I didn’t know what to do. I really didn’t want anyone seeing me… abusing myself. I just wanted to get rid. It wasn’t funny anymore."

"You were never planning to post these, say, on The Internet?"

"Good God, no! I wouldn’t even know how."

"So what did you do?"

"Really stupid. I just chucked the camera in a bin. I thought – they’ll be insured. No loss."

"You didn’t know Douglas had seen you?"

"Of course not. If I’d known that little tow-rag was about… It’s not like I tried to sell it to him or anything. Do you believe me?"

Buster rubbed his chin. "As a matter of fact, I do. I hope I’m not going stupid my old age."

"So you’re not going to tell anyone."

"It’s not a crime to be stupid. I think that’s all you’ve been. The Farrahs are getting their camera back – without the smut-fest. No-one else need know. But I’m warning you – I’ll be keeping a very close eye on you from now on."

Sammy saw Buster to the door. "One last thing," said Buster. "You might consider getting some help. Try speaking to your doctor."

Sammy nodded and promised he would do that. After closing the door, he poured himself another very large scotch.

END OF EPISODE 15