Page 31 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
‘Cheeky blighter,’ laughed Keith, gnawing at a chunk of overdone beef.
Danny took another swig from his can and stared around the room. He couldn’t blame his dad for wanting to get out of there. Just being in this environment was enough to make you feel unwell.
‘Hey, don’t go quiet on me,’ said Keith through his mouthful. ‘I’ve had too much time in my own head these last few days as it is.’
‘Sorry,’ muttered Danny. ‘What do you want to talk about?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Keith, rolling his eyes. ‘Tell me something to take my mind off the fact that I’m stuck in this godforsaken place.’
Danny racked his brain.
‘Come on, lad,’ tutted Keith. ‘And whatever you do, don’t make it boring. Make something up if you have to. Give me a bit of excitement!’
‘Are you sure you’re up for that, Dad?’ laughed Danny. ‘I mean, youdidjust have a stroke.’
‘Oh, give over. It was a mini stroke. Just a warning shot.’ Keith put his fork down with a clatter and let out a long sigh. ‘I know I’m going to need to make some changes…’
Danny raised his eyebrows. Coming from his dad, that was a huge admission. ‘What kind of changes?’
‘We’ll talk about it when I’m home,’ said Keith. ‘Now come on, give me something juicy.’
‘Okay…’ Danny shook his head, finding it hard to make a conversational u-turn when hereallywanted to find out what his dad meant by changes.
Was it the garage? Was he going to sell up? If he did, what would that mean for him?!
‘Erm… I was really busy yesterday with all the rain…’
‘You’re seriously going to tell me about work?’ huffed Keith. ‘What’s happened to your imagination, boy?!’
‘I’ll tell you something juicy if you shut up for two seconds.’
‘Fine. Tell me.’
‘Well, there were the usual breakdowns,’ said Danny. ‘Idiots driving too fast on the wet roads and ending up in ditches.But then, on my way home last night, I came across another breakdown. Someone you’d not expect in a ditch around here.’
‘Who?!’ said Keith, perking up considerably. ‘Was it a celeb?’
‘Erm, no,’ said Danny. ‘That would have made a much better story!’
‘So, who was it?’
‘Not one of your favourite people,’ said Danny, regretting starting this story in the first place.
‘You’re not going to tell me that you rescued Brian Singer, are you?’ huffed Keith.
‘No, not Brian,’ said Danny. ‘Not far off, though. It was Michelle, his daughter.’
‘Ah, so the rumours are true,’ said Keith, raising an eyebrow. ‘I heard she was back in town.’
‘You did?’ said Danny. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Because I didn’t want to get your hopes up,’ said Keith
‘Hopes?’ said Danny. ‘What on earth do you mean?’
‘Oh, come on!’ laughed Keith. You’ve been head over heels for that girl since you were at school.’
‘Youknew?!’
