Page 3 of Coming Home to Crumbleton

Ruby swallowed. His low, kind voice was making her tired eyes prickle.

‘A couple of weeks at home will put everything right,’ he added. ‘You just need a bit of a rest somewhere you feel comfortable.’

Ruby nodded. He was right about that last bit, but how was Brian to know that Crumbleton was the last place on Earth she’d feel comfortable. It hadn’t been home for a long time. The problem was… neither had anywhere else.

As for staying in town for a couple of weeks? There was no way. Her plan was to get the signing out of the way and then skedaddle on the first available train. With any luck, that would give her just enough time to catch up with her parents, see Caroline and maybe grab a coffee and cake in the café.

‘You know, I’m surprised you’re on your own, what with you being so important,’ said Brian, shooting a cheeky glance at her over his shoulder, clearly trying to lighten the mood. ‘How come you’ve not got a minder or someone tagging along?’

Ruby rolled her eyes. Brian didn’t know how close to the truth he’d just come. ‘Trust me, I wasn’t so lucky at any of the other stops!’ she said with a small smile. ‘There was no getting away from my publicists!’

It hadn’t been that bad. Bobbie and Ben from the marketing department had provided more than a little bit of light relief as she’d shlepped around Europe, before heading to Australia and then over to the States. The double-act had kept her on her toes and stopped her from becoming a total hotel-room hermit. Still, she had to admit they were also the main reason she felt like she needed a month-long lie down in a darkened room to get over the experience.

‘I basically had to beg them to let me come down here on my own,’ she laughed, watching as the base of Crumbleton hill drew ever nearer.

‘As if you need anyone holding your hand in Crumbleton!’ chuckled Brian. ‘You know the place like the back of your hand!’

‘Mm hmm,’ mumbled Ruby, noncommittally. She certainly did. That wasn’t the reason she’d put her foot down, though. The last thing she’d needed on this trip was someone dictating her every move. She wanted to fly under the radar as much as was humanly possible - something that was an alien concept to the colourful pair. Bobbie and Ben would want to make sure her tour went out with a glitter-canon-style bang. Ruby was determined to let it slip by more like a whisper in a deserted school hall.

‘Rubes, do you mind if I drop you off at the bottom of town next to the City Gates?’ said Brian. ‘Andy’s working on fixing the cobbles up by the museum and it’s impossible to turn around without about forty-seven tries… and I’ve got another pick-up over at Crumbleton Sands in quarter of an hour.’

‘Of course!’ said Ruby, nodding her head enthusiastically. Sure, it meant she’d either have to face the ankle-breaking cobbles or the many sets of steep stone steps that took you from the bottom of Crumbleton to the top - but it would definitely make it a lot easier to sneak in unannounced. Cars weren’t really encouraged on the high street anyway. For one thing, it was insanely steep and narrow, and for another, any passengers tended to need a visit to the chiropractor after the bumpy trip!

‘You sure? Got your sensible shoes on?’ said Brian, a hint of concern in his voice.

‘Always!’ laughed Ruby. Flats were the default for anyone born and bred in Crumbleton. Anything else meant you were dancing with disaster! ‘I’ve only got one bag and besides, I could do with the exercise.’

‘Right you are, then,’ said Brian cheerfully. ‘Here we go.’

‘Fab, thanks Brian,’ she said, taking a deep breath and peering through the window, just to check that the coast was clear. ‘How much do I owe you?’

‘All sorted out with your publisher,’ said Brian, beaming at her. ‘Now - you enjoy being home.’

‘Uh huh,’ sighed Ruby, still staring out of the window.

‘Ruby?’ he said. ‘You need a hand?

‘Sorry Brian,’ she said. ‘I’m going, I promise.’

‘Good-oh. I thought you might be waiting for me to open the door for you. Thought maybe you’d got a bit too used to being a celebrity already!’ He turned and winked at her.

Ruby widened her eyes in horror, shook her head and shoved the door open.

‘Rubes!’ he called, winding his window down.

‘Yeah?’

‘I was just joking!’ he said with a kind smile.

‘I know,’ said Ruby.

‘Hey Rubes?’ he said again, looking hopeful. ‘I don’t suppose you play darts?’

Ruby grinned and shook her head at the familiar plea she’d heard so many times as a teen. ‘Nope – sorry!’

‘Ah well,’ he sighed, looking disappointed. ‘Had to ask.’ Brian gave a little shrug, wound his window back up and with one last wave, set off to collect his next customers.

Ruby let out a long, slow breath.

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