Page 32 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
‘Of course I knew,’ said Keith with a little shrug. ‘Iamyour dad!’
Danny stared at his dad, his eyes wide. He felt strange, like his entire world was shifting.His dad had known? All those years?!
‘Don’t look at me like that,’ laughed Keith. ‘I was young once, too, you know? Michelle Singer’s a pretty girl. I’ve only ever seen her in passing, but she’s always been a dead ringer for her mum… and Trish Singer was a stunner back in the day.’
Danny blinked and shook his head. He’d never once heard his dad mention Mrs Singer by her first name. Surelythatwasn’t at the heart of the feud between the families…?
‘You know what else I heard?’ said Keith, watching him closely.
‘What’s that?’ said Danny, feeling more than a little bit dazed.
‘She’s ditched that twerp she was living with.’
‘How do youknowall this?’ said Danny, shaking his head in wonder.
‘I’m not the hermit in this family, Danny!’ chuckled Keith.
‘Whatever,’ huffed Danny. ‘Anyway, you’re right. Sheisback, and shehasditched the twerp. She told me that when I picked her up in the storm… though, if I’m honest, I wasn’t sure you’d be too happy about that.’
‘Why on earth wouldn’t I be happy about it?’ huffed Keith. ‘Just because I’ve got a problem with Brian… hey, he didn’t give you a hard time, did he?’
‘Nope,’ said Danny. ‘He doesn’t know. I dropped Michelle outside the City Gates.’
Keith nodded.
‘What’s all that about?’ said Danny, slipping the question in before he could chicken out. ‘The thing with you and Brian, I mean.’
‘Now’s not the time to talk about it,’ said Keith, frowning as he stuffed his face with more mashed potato.
‘Okay, no worries,’ said Danny.
‘So, what’s the rest of the story?’ said Keith, cocking his head.
‘Story?’ said Danny.
‘There’s something else you want to tell me,’ said Keith, fixing him with a piercing stare. ‘I know when you’re not telling the whole truth.
Damn his dad for knowing him so well!
‘Okay. Well… Michelle’s car’s pretty much dead, and the loaner’s still out with Terry Jones,’ said Danny, resisting the urge to scuttle out of the room before his dad could tell him off for the next bit. ‘So, I… erm… leant her the Buick,’
‘Nice choice,’ said Keith approvingly.
Danny blinked. ‘You don’t mind?’
‘Why should I mind?’ said Keith in surprise. ‘The girl needs transport, and it sounds like she’s got excellent taste. Besides, those cars could do with a run!’
Danny couldn’t help but smile as he remembered the look of pure delight on Michelle’s face when she drove off in the Buick.
‘You know, I could never quite figure out why you didn’t do something about that,’ said his dad, who’d abandoned his plate and was now staring at him.
‘About what?’ said Danny, shifting awkwardly. The vinyl chair squeaked in protest.
‘You and her. Michelle Singer,’ said Keith, as though it was obvious.
‘I… she… you…’ spluttered Danny.
‘Like I said, pretty girl,’ said Keith. ‘I always thought you two would look good together. All I’ll say is—let this recent little episode of mine be a lesson to you.’
