Page 38 of A Family Affair
Honey smiled because it was slap-bang in the middle of rows and rows of terraced houses, not far from a sprawling secondary school, and as urban as you could get. Then in contrast, a thin stretch of green-belt cut through the industrial and domestic landscape to create a paddock just big enough for grazing.
‘I know. I found it by accident when I was having a gander on Google, looking for some old photographs of where my aunt and grandad grew up. They used to live just up the road in Openshaw, in a little terraced house like the ones we passed on the way here. Before that they lived in Ancoats, near to the Northern Quarter where we just had lunch. I always feel close to my heritage around there; it’s weird, like I can picture them all going about their lives before I was even born.’
It was as she spoke, the truth, or invalidity of what she’d just said hit home. That those people who she’d once considered to be her ancestors actually weren’t, and that made her a fraud. Imagining stuff that was impossible. No connection to her at all. Her heart slumped, but she didn’t want to ruin the afternoon, so ploughed on with her explanation, resolving to leave the past behind for a while and focus on the present.
‘I wanted to buy my Aunty Beryl some prints and while I searched the local archives I stumbled on this place. I’ve always loved donkeys so on my next day off I made my way here. I was blown away when I saw it and after speaking to the staff here, I decided to adopt a donkey and I pop in whenever I can to see him. If I’m in the car I bring a sack of veg from grandad’s allotment. The other gardeners contribute too, which is kind.’ Again, thinking of her grandad caused her mood to dip, knowing that she still hadn’t decided what to do about the letter.
‘It’s such a great place and I’m going to ask one of my lot to donate, instead of getting me a Christmas pressie, because otherwise one of them will knit me something hideous or go crazy on the shopping channel and buy me another useless kitchen gadget. Bless ’em, but they’re all loopy and out of control most of the time, especially where yours truly is concerned.’
Honey loved the way he spoke about his family because even though he teased, there was great love for them. She could hear it in his voice and see it in the wicked glint in his eyes. ‘Are you their golden boy then?’
‘Oh yes. I’ve got loads of cousins on the outlaw side of the family, that’s my grandma’s name for the in-laws by the way. But where my lot are concerned, I’m it. The one and only, and because we all lived together for so long, we do have a special bond. They also think I’m their slave and was born to run errands and talk them through getting off a page they’re stuck on. I do often wonder why I taught them to use the internet. But I don’t mind really.’
‘I’d love to meet them… they sound like good fun.’For fuc– did you really just say that out loud?
‘Well that can definitely be arranged, and I might even bring my batty-old-grannies here in the Batty Bus; they’d like seeing the donkeys.’ Noticing Honey’s bemused look he explained, ‘Mum’s minibus that she uses to transport them all to their various appointments and activities. Wheelchairs, Zimmers, walking stick and picnics. You name it, it goes on the Batty Bus, full of my batty rellies.’
He gave her a wink, to which she replied, ‘Well you’d best bring them sooner than later because come next year, the donkeys might not be here.’
‘Oh no, why?’
A sigh. ‘Because the lease is almost up and rent’s going up to an astronomical amount so unless they get a massive injection of donations, it looks like our little donkey friends might be on the move.’
As if to add to a dip in mood, a chilly gust whipped around the stable yard and the rain started to fall in earnest causing Levi to look skywards. ‘That’s totally crap… bloody landlords. I’m sick of hearing stories like this… and I also think we’re going to get very wet if we don’t take cover.’
Honey agreed and checked her watch. Time with Levi was running out. ‘I wish we’d come on a nicer day and had longer, but you’re right, we’re going to get soaked so shall we head back? Let’s get a cab, my shout, and we can wait in the station until it’s time for my train. You’ll need to go to your meeting soon anyway.’
Flipping off her rucksack, Honey delved inside for her phone and after giving Honker a peck on the head and promising she’d see him soon, they headed back towards the entrance. But as they did, Levi raised his arm, indicating she should link up and, without missing a heartbeat, Honey threaded her hand through the gap and fell into step. The maudlin fingers that had begun to wrap around her heart quickly lost grip, and for that Honey was grateful. She didn’t want anything to spoil their last few minutes together.
They waited side by side on the station concourse, watching the announcement board. They sipped takeaway teas – he had no sugar, Honey took two. For strength she told herself. Because no matter how much she’d enjoyed being with Levi, her thoughts insisted on straying to her grandad. A nudge from Levi soon did the trick.
‘Penny for them. You keep drifting away and I’m starting to worry you’re bored of me already.’ He gave her a grin and raised his eyebrows.
‘No, I swear I’m not. I just have things on my mind, that’s all. I need to go and see my grandad and can’t decide whether I should get it over with today or leave it a while.’ She realised too late that she’d spoken her worries out loud and would have to explain.
‘Sounds ominous. Is everything okay? I mean, you don’t have to tell me and I’m not being nosey but every now and then your face clouds over and I did wonder if it was me… I seem to have that effect on women lately.’
His wink told Honey he was going for glib, but deep down, might be speaking the truth. ‘I swear it’s nothing to do with you. I’ve loved everything about this afternoon, even my foolhardy excursion to see Honker. It’s just a family thing that I need to sort out, and it’d take too long to explain now, which is a shame because if I’m honest, another set of ears would be appreciated.’
‘Well, why don’t I give you a call tonight. I’d offer to drive over and chat in person, but I’ve got a five-a-side match later and I’d not live it down if I bailed. But we could talk afterwards if you like.’
Honey didn’t have to think twice. ‘I’d like that, I really would. Ziggy is my go-to agony aunt but she’s on three late shifts this week and there’s no getting any sense out of her after a twelve-hour stint. Lots of yawns, but not much else.’
‘Right then. It’s a phone-date. I’ll be back about eight-thirty, so I’ll call you then.’ His attention then diverted to the departures board, ‘Looks like your train is in. Come on, my little Miss Mysterious, I’ll walk you to the ticket barrier.’
Knowing that he’d not binned her off and had suggested they talk later made saying goodbye much easier than she’d thought it would be. As was the moment, just before she went through the ticket barrier, that Mr Shy and Awkward from Chorlton gave Miss Mysterious from Valley Mills a very nice kiss goodbye.
CHAPTER28
LEVI
It had been ages since he’d felt this buoyant and as he wolfed down a Bombay Bad Boy Pot Noodle, Levi took stock of his rather magnificent day.
Not only had his five-a-side team won 3–1, his date with Honey had gone brilliantly,andhe would be speaking to her in six minutes and forty-two seconds precisely.
There had been moments, right at the beginning, in the restaurant, that he thought he saw a shadow of a frown cross her face. She’d done it a couple of times. Kind of drifted off and then he saw it, her eyes looked a bit sad and worried then she’d be back in the room. At first he thought it was him and he was boring her, but after a while, as he regaled her with embarrassing stuff about his family, she seemed to relax, and they’d had a laugh.
He was mightily pleased when Honey asked him to go to the donkey sanctuary because that proved she wanted to spend a bit longer with himandshe’d dropped a hint about meeting his family, so it was all good. Maybe she could go with him to his great-grandma’s big birthday at the end of the month.
