Page 26 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
‘Come on then, spill,’ said Caroline, ‘tell me what’s really going on!’
‘I broke down in the rain. He saved me,’ said Michelle with a little shrug.
‘Oh, come on!’ laughed Caroline. ‘I know there’s more to it than that. Where’s the vintage car in that story?!’
Michelle rolled her eyes.Of courseCaroline knew more than just the basics. And if she wanted her help, there was no point being coy, was there?!
‘Their normal loaner was already out, so Danny lent me that one,’ said Michelle. ‘Turns out Keith Dalton has got the most beautiful lineup of vintage cars!’
Caroline nodded. ‘They’re amazing, aren’t they?! But… something tells me that’s not all there is to your visit?’
Michelle shook her head. ‘I was wondering… do you know what happened between Dad and Keith Dalton? The pair of them clearly loathe each other, but he’s never told me the details. And… borrowing the car… and hanging out with Danny…’
Caroline nodded. ‘You want to know what’s keeping you two apart like Romeo and Juliet.’
Michelle swatted at the air and shook her head… but she couldn’t really deny that was the reason she wanted to know more.
‘I don’t know all the details,’ said Caroline, with a little frown. ‘So I’ll tell you what I know on one condition.’
‘Which is?’ said Michelle, raising an eyebrow.
‘You’ll fill me in on the rest of the story when you get to the bottom of it!’ said Caroline.
‘You can’t write about it!’ said Michelle, with a sudden hit of panic.
‘Of course I won’t!’ tutted Caroline. ‘I just can’t stand an unsolved mystery, that’s all.’
Michelle nodded. ‘Okay then. Deal.’
‘Right then.’ Caroline leaned back against her desk. ‘This goes back decades, right? Before you were born. Believe it or not, Brian and Keith used to be best mates.’
‘What?’ Michelle nearly dropped her mug. ‘They were friends?’
‘Thick as thieves, from what I’ve heard. Used to play darts together, helped each other with house moves, that sort of thing. Your dad was even the best man at Keith’s wedding… not that the marriage lasted long. That wasn’t anything to do with your dad, though. Keith and Brian fell out long before Mrs Dalton left.’
Michelle stared at her, struggling to reconcile the idea of the pair of them as friends with years of Dalton-related rants. ‘So, what happened?’
‘There was some sort of major disagreement,’ said Caroline.
‘Well, duh!’ laughed Michelle. ‘I gathered that much. Any idea what it was about?’
‘A car. That’s all I know.’
‘A car?’ Michelle shook her head. ‘That’s it? Decades of ranting and hurt over a car?!’
‘Well, I’m assuming there’s more to the story,’ said Caroline. ‘But you know how these things escalate—hurt feelings, pride, misunderstandings. Before you know it, two good men start treating each other like sworn enemies.’
Michelle blew out a breath. ‘Well… it’s a start.’
Caroline nodded. ‘Thing is, Keith Dalton is actually a lovely bloke. Always has been. I mean… he’s a bit rough and ready, but he’s got a heart of gold.’
‘Same as my dad,’ said Michelle quietly.
‘Exactly. That’s what makes this whole thing so bloody tragic. Two best friends who probably miss each other something chronic. But things have gone on far too long, and they’re both too stubborn to do anything about it.’
Michelle felt something heavy settle in her chest. ‘You reckon they miss each other? After all this time?’
‘I’d bet money on it,’ said Caroline. ‘All that blustering?’
