Page 10 of Autumn at the Oak Leaf Café
‘Really? That’s amazing.’
‘I just wanted to say, if you have any trouble, give me a call. If I can’t help, I’ll know someone who can.’
‘Thanks, Pete. I really appreciate it.’
‘No worries. And talking of helpers, there’s one. Hey, Dan!’
An old man in a duffel coat was leading a black Labrador on a lead down the path that led towards the theatre. He lifted his head at Pete’s shout and tugged the dog’s lead.
‘Hello there,’ he said, limping over. ‘A good morning to you, Pete. I see you’re getting into the good stuff.’
‘Got a big vat of me own dregs on the brew down in thRory,’ Pete said. ‘Why don’t you pull up a seat? This young lady here is Madeline Fellow. She’s running the café while Angela’s off on her travels.’
‘Oh, aye.’ The man peered at Madeline. He really was quite a sight. His hair and beard were a wiry mess of grey and white, the hair just about contained by a flat cap. A couple of twigs had got caught in his beard, although he either hadn’t noticed or didn’t care. The most striking feature, though, was a green glass bead where his left eye had been. Looking him directly in the face was quite a challenge; the bead blinked and moved like a regular eye, revealing swirling, hypnotic patterns.
‘Name’s Daniel Rathbone,’ the old man said. ‘Me’s the park nightwatchman.’
‘Oh, you’re the Daniel that Angela mentioned.’
‘That’ll be me.’
‘Let me get you a coffee.’
‘Honoured.’
She hurried inside, prepared a quick cup and brought it back out. Then, remembering the dog, she hurried back inside, searching for something she could use as a water bowl. The only thing she could see was a plastic salad dish, so she quickly filled it from the tap and took it back outside. Halfway to the table, she caught her foot on a corner of paving and stumbled, splashing half the water over the table.
‘So sorry!’
Pete and Dan laughed. ‘Relax,’ Pete said.
‘Lass, it looks like you’ve been up all night, not me,’ Dan said as Madeline gathered herself and put what was left of the water down for the dog to drink. ‘Sit back down and take it easy. Take over Milady, here.’
‘Milady?’
‘Tis my fine girl’s name,’ Dan said. ‘Although you’d better watch out if you’re doing something inappropriate down here of an evening. A right terror, she is.’
‘How long have you been the nightwatchman?’ Madeline asked.
Daniel shrugged. ‘Just from this April. Council suddenly seems to like this old place after ignoring it for years. Ever since old Regina Clover took over as Brentwell’s councilor for open spaces.’
‘Is that an actual job title?’ Madeline asked.
Pete laughed. ‘It is now.’
‘Regina Clover. That’s such a lovely name.’
‘Suits her, don’t it?’ Dan said, cackling at Pete.
‘Down to the ground,’ Pete said.
Madeline was sure she was missing an in-joke, but she figured if she could just hang around long enough, she’d get up to speed. The dog, having lapped up all the water, picked up the bowl in her teeth and rested her head on Madeline’s lap. Madeline, smiling, gave her a gentle stroke.
‘She likes you,’ Dan said.
‘Isn’t that Angela’s favourite bowl?’ Pete said.
‘Oh god, is it?’ Madeline said, grabbing the bowl and trying to pull it out of Milady’s teeth, only for the dog to pull back, wagging her tail as though the bowl were a ball to be thrown.
