Page 50 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
‘But what about Keith?!?’
‘Look, this is why I was about to call you,’ said Danny. ‘We’ve worked it out. We know what’s been up with Brian all these years.’
‘You do?’ said Michelle, coming to a surprised standstill. ‘Tell me!’
‘Well, it was your clue about it having something to do with a car that did it. Dad worked out the rest.’ Danny paused. ‘He… erm… phoned a friend, and it all fell into place.’
‘And?’ said Michelle.
‘And… I think it’s a story best told face to face,’ said Danny. ‘I was about to beg you to bring Brian over anyway. Dad wants to talk to him, so this is perfect.’
‘Are you sure Keith’s well enough for all this?’ said Michelle. ‘Dad’s hopping mad. If I’m honest, I’m not sure how he’ll behave.’
‘Do you trust me?’ said Danny.
‘I… yes!’ said Michelle in surprise. This was Danny—someone she’d kind of known forever,andjust a couple of days at the same time. But he’d never let her down, and she had a feeling he never would. ‘Of course I trust you.’
‘Perfect,’ said Danny. ‘Hold on to that fact, and get your dad over here as soon as you can. All will be revealed, I promise. See you in a bit.’
Before Michelle could beg for a hint, Danny hung up.
‘Well… this is going to be interesting!’ she muttered, pocketing her phone and sucking in a deep breath.
It was all well and good for Danny. All he had to do was wait around for them to turn up. She, however, had a serious amount of explaining to do before she got her dad anywhere near the Dalton Garage.
‘Like why you’re driving a vintage Buick instead of your usual heap of rust!’ she muttered.
CHAPTER 14
MICHELLE
Michelle pulled the Buick under the City Gates, feeling a bit like she was heading for the gallows. She might be a grown adult, but the idea of disappointing or upsetting her dad was almost more than she could bear.
Still, there was no turning back now, was there? After all, her mum had somehow engineered the whole thing… she was merely a pawn.
‘That’s not exactly reassuring!’ she muttered with a nervous laugh as she navigated the cobbled street towards her parents’ cottage. ‘Huh, deja vu!’
Her mum and dad were waiting for her on the doorstep. This time, her mum had a look of pure enjoyment on her face… and her dad looked like he was about to pass out from shock.
Michelle wound down the window, ready to face the music.
‘Suits you, Shelly!’ said her mum with a wink.
‘I…’ spluttered her dad. ‘You’ve got some serious explaining to do, young lady!’
‘Why don’t you get in, Brian?’ tutted Trish. ‘Don’t make her just sit there, blocking the road. I’m sure she’ll explain about the car on the way there… and then you can tell me all about it when you get back!’ she added quickly, covering her backside.
‘Right. Wow, okay,’ said Brian, clearly caught between wanting to pelt the pair of them with questions and excitement at getting to ride in such a gorgeous car.
While she waited for her dad to get settled, Michelle peered questioningly at her mum.
‘Good luck,’ she said cheerfully. ‘With the venue, I mean. Oh, here—I got you these.’
Michelle took the Crumbleton Bakery box as her mum passed it through the window. ‘What’s this?’
‘Always best not to turn up empty handed,’ said her mum with a wink.
Michelle cracked open the lid while her dad was fiddling with his seatbelt. Sure enough, there were four cakes inside. Her own favourite iced bun, her dad’s favourite cherry flapjack, a chunky fruit slice, and something seriously chocolatey. That settled it. Her mum definitely knew what was going on. What else could explain the presence of Keith and Danny’s favourite cakes?!
