Page 54 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
Brian nodded and squeezed her hand. As one, they turned their backs on the Daltons.
‘I bought it for you as a birthday present, you idiot!’ growled Keith.
Michelle gasped, and her dad turned so fast he nearly fell flat on his face.
‘It needed so much work,’ said Keith. ‘So I bought it early, brought it back here and fixed it up as a surprise for you. I remember thinking… wouldn’t it be great if I could get it back on the road in time for the big day.’
‘You… did?’ said Brian, his eyes wide.
‘I did,’ huffed Keith. ‘But before I got the chance to do the whole grand gesture thing for my best friend,saidbest friend cut me out of his life.’
‘But… why didn’t you tell me?’ said Brian, sounding horrified.
‘Because I had no idea why you’d got your knickers in a twist!’ said Keith. ‘And because I was hurt. And then, when the hurt started to wear off a bit, I suddenly found myself with a little boy to look after on my own.’
Brian nodded, his eyes wide, his mouth opening and closing as if he was trying to say something… but no sound came out.
‘Life ran away with me,’ said Keith, suddenly looking tired. ‘But I’ve never once stopped missing you.’
CHAPTER 15
DANNY
Danny hurried out of the black cab the minute he saw Michelle’s tears start to fall. He glanced at Brian, but he wasn’t in a much better state. He was white and shaking. As for Keith…
‘Shit… Dad!’
Danny dashed straight to his father and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
‘I’m fine,’ huffed Keith, leaning his entire weight against Danny. ‘I’ve said my piece. Oh, wait,’ he said, straightening back up again, a tired smile returning to his face. ‘I haven’t quite finished. I know it’s about thirty years too late, but happy birthday, old man.’
Keith held out his hand. Danny nodded and placed the taxi’s keys into his dad’s palm, then watched as he tossed them to Brian.
Acting on instinct, Brian snatched them out of midair and stared at them in wonder. ‘What?!’
‘It’s yours. It always has been,’ said Keith with a shrug. ‘It’s been here waiting for you all along.’
Danny watched as Michelle wiped her face on her sleeve before patting her dad gently on the arm. Brian didn’t seem tonotice. He was still staring at the keys in his hand. Suddenly, he sprang to life.
Brushing Michelle aside, Brian lunged towards Keith, his face set.
What the hell?
Danny braced himself, preparing to step between his dad and his oldest friend of he had to. His dad, however, was grinning.
‘Mate!’ Brian’s face cracked into a smile. He opened his arms wide and pulled a chuckling Keith into a bear hug that practically lifted him clean off his feet. ‘Thank you.’
Danny blew out a relieved breath. Turning towards Michelle, he couldn’t help but laugh. She was staring at the two men, her mouth hanging open.
‘You okay?’ he breathed, moving to her side and lacing his fingers through hers. She looked at him and nodded, with a decidedly watery grin.
‘Just for the record,’ said Brian, pulling away from Keith at last, ‘I’m glad you’re still alive. Erm… we brought cake.’
‘You’re crap at apologies,’ laughed Keith. ‘You know that, right?’
‘I don’t even know how to start apologising for three decades of being a… a…’ Brian trailed off.
‘There are no words, are there?’ said Keith.
