Well, that was a surprise. Linc had called David to let him know he had the wood and had made a couple of little figures as examples of what he could do. He held the cat figures in his hand. They were still rough, but he loved the feel of each piece under his fingers. From the first time he picked up a dead branch on the farm, he’d been able to feel what the wood wanted, and reveal what lived inside. He’d whittled away with his knife and made an angel, which had stood next to his mother’s bed from then onward. Perhaps she still had it. He put the cat on the workbench and stared out of the window where the local robin sat on the wall guarding his territory.
A party invite was the last thing he’d expected to receive during the call. He’d been building himself up to asking David if he fancied a visit to the pictures.
“It’s the annual event to raise money for the cat shelter.” David had said. “I don’t usually go, but I thought I’d show my face this year. There’s no pressure to come.”
“A party sounds great. Umm, are you doing anything tomorrow night? I know it’s short notice, but I wanted to see Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and it’s not Matt’s sort of thing…”
“Wow, I haven’t seen Close Encounters for ages. Is it the extended one?”
“Yes, if you’re into science fiction… I thought I’d ask.”
“I’d love to. I’ve never seen it on the big screen.”
Linc explained which cinema.
“I’ll meet you there,” David said. “As we live in opposite directions, it makes sense to bring our own transport. What time does it start?”
“There’s a show at seven.”
“Perfect. It’ll be good to get out.”
While Linc worked, smoothing the long planks of wood, he hummed along to the music on the radio and speculated about what had prompted David to ask him to the party. He’d ummed and ahhed about asking David to see the film with him and had bottled until David asked him out. He wasn’t exactly a catch, and David was gorgeous, as well as intelligent and caring. He smiled. If Matt could hear his thoughts, he’d be telling him to get over Bradley-the-cheating-bastard and move on. Only Matt knew how hard Linc worked to present himself as confident and cheerful all the time. And Matt is right. I do have a lot to offer. And why not have some fun with a handsome companion? There didn’t have to be any more to it, did there?
His phone rang again. He turned off the plane and dug into his pocket.
“Hi, Sylvia.”
“Sorry. Did I disturb you?”
“No, it’s all right. I’m smoothing pieces for the cat runs I’m making. And… I’ve just asked a handsome man to go to the pictures with me and received a Christmas party invite.”
“Ooo, tell me more.”
“Would you believe, it’s the bloke I’m making the cat stuff for? He asked me to a party for the volunteers and workers at Coltham Cat Rescue Shelter.” He could almost hear the cogs turning in her mind.
“That’s good, isn’t it? You liked him. Or I got the feeling you liked him. After Bradley the Bastard, you deserve some fun.”
“I’m surprised he asked me. He’s bloody gorgeous, though I’m not sure he realises. He’s kind of shy and doesn’t give much away about himself. In fact, come to think of it, I don’t even know what he does for a living. Isn’t that weird? He never said, and I never asked. After he invited me to the party, I suggested the pictures tomorrow.” He paused. “Sorry, I’ve hijacked your call. I assume there’s a reason why you rang, not that I’m not pleased to hear from you, obviously.”
“I need a favour. I’ve a scan this afternoon and Marcus wants to come with me. Normally, I’d ask Mum, but with her arthritis… and they’ve both got these awful colds. Could you get over here in time to pick Nettie up from school?”
“Sure, I’d be happy to. Do you want me to take her out for tea?”
“She’d love tea out with you, but she goes to the library after school today. The librarian reads to them every week, and it’s the last part of a How to Train Your Dragon story, so she doesn’t want to miss it. There’s a coffee shop in the same building. The parents usually hang around there to wait.”
Linc was reminded of the books in David’s house. Had David read them all? Linc loved stories, and he’d watched the How to Train Your Dragon films while making carvings of the mythical beasts to give him ideas. Maybe he’d listen to the books. He’d always managed to hide his literacy problems. Matt had helped him get through school, reading to him, and putting things on tape for him to learn. And no one dared make fun of you when you were over six-foot-tall at fourteen and built like him.
“I’ll pick her up at three. We’ll have a fun time. Then I’ll bring her home and you can show me the scans of the baby. Will you get to know the sex?”
“Not sure we want to know. Maybe nearer the time, but most of me wants it to be a surprise. I’ll see you later. Nettie will be made up to spend time with you.”
“I will be too. You know I love the bones of that girl, as well as her mother.”
“Aww, soppy idiot. Why don’t you treat yourself to some new clothes before collecting her? You could pop to Norwich. Something suitable for a party maybe, that brings out the blue in your eyes, or you could even get a haircut, your stubble’s more of a scruffy beard now, and you’ll need a good shave to play the dame. Get a facial—you know—treat yourself.”
Linc ran a hand along his beard. Sylvia had a point. He would need a close shave. “I’ll see. Now, get on. I’m sure you’ve something you should be doing.”
“Love you.”
“Love you more.”
He tucked the phone back into his pocket, turned on the machine and whistled to himself. Things were looking up. Things were definitely looking up.
A few hours later, a small whirling dervish, otherwise known as his goddaughter Nettie, hit Linc with the full force of a hurricane after she raced across the yard, shouting his name. He grabbed her, picked her up, and swung her around, making sure he had enough space. After a couple of circles, he placed her on the ground and knelt in front of her. She reached out to his chin.
“Your hair has gone. I like you better with hair.”
“Only because you could pull it, you little monster. I know your tricky ways.”
Her giggles made him grin from ear to ear.
“Where’s Mummy?”
“Mummy and Marcus have gone to the hospital to get a photo of the baby. I’m picking you up today.” Linc smiled at her teacher standing by the gate.
“Nettie’s been telling us about the baby her mummy has in her tummy. She’s more than a little excited about having a new sibling.”
“I want a sister—boys are yucky.”
“I’m not yucky,” Linc said, standing up and taking Nettie’s hand.
“You’re not a boy,” she replied with six-year old’s logic. “Will you be taking me to the library? It’s the last part of the dragon story today, and I don’t want to miss it.”
“Yes, I left my car outside. We can walk there then go for burgers at the café before I take you home.”
“Yay.” She tugged at his hand. “Come on then, or I won’t get a place at the front.”
Linc had forgotten one of the problems of being tall when holding hands with someone so small, was bending over eventually hurt his back. He was glad when they reached the old building which, like many British libraries, had been built with money donated by Andrew Carnegie. Stopping at the bottom of the steps, he realised he’d never been in an actual library other than at school. He sniffed the air, taking in the smell of books and a slight whiff of coffee, no doubt coming from the café.
“Come on, Uncle Linc. It’s this way.”
He followed her into a space among the shelves and paused. Nettie let go of his hand and hurried to grab the last seat at the front. Other children had already positioned themselves on the floor in front of a familiar body and face. Linc remained fixed to the spot, unsure what to do. Should he say something or wave? Waving seemed lame. Now, the books made sense. David glanced up and met his gaze, smiled broadly, and moved first. He ducked behind the nearest set of shelves and reappeared beside him.
“Linc, this is a surprise.”
“I brought my goddaughter, Nettie. She’s Sylvia’s daughter. I didn’t know you’d be here. You didn’t tell me what you did.”
“I’m the librarian.” David glanced around the space. “It’s not a big place, and we have to fight to keep it open every year, but I love working here.”
“It’s a bit unusual, isn’t it?” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. David bristled next to him.
“Sorry, that came out worse than I intended. It’s… well… librarians are usually old ladies with buns, who wear tweed and have glasses on string slung around their necks, they’re not…well…you.”
David put a fist to his forehead. “Hmm, thinks to self. Let’s see. Surprisingly, you’re not the first person to mention it. I suppose I’m not everyone’s vision of a librarian, but I have teachers for parents, and I’ve always loved books.”
More children poured in around them, with the adults standing at the back or leaving and heading for the café.
“You have a good audience,” Linc said, hoping to dig himself out of the hole. “Nettie couldn’t wait to get here. Still, you’ve a great voice for it.” A voice that does things for me as well. “You could narrate books—you know, audiobooks. I like listening to stories while I’m working.”
Linc noted a brief expression of surprise cross David’s features before he gained control again.
“Thank you. I love reading to the kids and getting them involved in the stories. Many never pick up a book these days with the computer games they play. For me, you can’t beat the pictures you create in your own mind. Sometimes the actors they choose to play the roles in films are too different from what you imagine, it spoils things. I’ve always been a bit picky about what I watch. Will you be here for a coffee afterwards?”
“I’m taking Nettie to get a burger. You could join us.”
“I can’t tonight as it’s late-night opening, but I’m looking forward to seeing the film. And thank you for agreeing to go to the party with me. As I said, I don’t usually bother but…” Two small girls wrapped themselves around his legs, interrupting his speech.
“Come on, Uncle David. We want to know what happens.”
David grinned and placed a hand on each blonde head. “These two are my nieces, Lulu, and Ruby. Ruby’s mum, Rosie is over there. She’s married to my brother, Chris, and Lulu is Laura’s daughter.”
“From the deli in the High Street?”
“Yep, that’s right. I really have to get going now.”
Linc waited until David had negotiated his way through the crowd and taken his seat at the front before finding his way to the crowded café. He found a seat in the corner at a table for two and ordered a coffee.
“Do you mind if I join you?” Linc glanced up to see David’s sister-in-law waiting.
“No, help yourself. It’s busy today.”
“Always is on a Wednesday. I need to leave work bang on time to get here. I teach at the nearby primary school. Ruby and Lulu go there and are in the same class, though not the one I teach. My mum taught me one year and I hated it. You’re Linc, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” Linc replied somewhat surprised. “Linc Woodhouse. I’m doing some work for David.”
“We know. I’ve seen your designs on your website. You’ve an amazing talent. My father-in-law thinks he used to teach you in Norwich. I don’t know if you remember him. He taught PE and was deputy head before he retired.”
A shiver ran up Linc’s spine, as if someone had walked over his grave. Rallison, he hadn’t made the connection when David mentioned his parents were teachers. He’d liked Mr Rallison, especially when he’d not suspended him for punching the lad who’d kept picking on Matt, but he knew too much about Linc for him to be comfortable. His thoughts must have been crystal clear on his face.
“It’s okay. Don’t look so worried. Gary hasn’t told us anything about you—he wouldn’t. All he said was you came to the school late and were a bloody good centre half.”
Linc breathed out and slumped in his seat. “I liked your father-in-law. He was firm but fair. Your mother-in-law was a teacher as well, wasn’t she?”
“She was head of the primary school I work at now. My mother worked there too. It’s how I met Chris… I suppose teaching is in the blood. We’re a close-knit bunch. David told us you’re in the pantomime. Ruby and Lulu are beside themselves with excitement about going.”
“My goddaughter, Nettie is too. I’m here with her today. She goes to your school. Her mother has her first scan today.”
“Nettie’s mum is Sylvia Cole, the dance and drama teacher, isn’t she?”
“That’s right. She also runs the am-dram group I belong to. I’m playing the dame as usual. I’ve had my beard shaved off in preparation for the role.”
Rosie’s eyes widened. “The girls have mentioned wanting to go to classes, but they already do such a lot. I swear they have a better social life than I do.”
“It must be challenging work—teaching.”
“Some days it is, but I’ve never wanted to do anything else.” She glanced toward the door. “You know, he’s a lovely man, my brother-in-law, gentle and kind. You should see him with the kittens, how he holds those tiny creatures in his hands. He’s a special person.”
Linc got the feeling his card had been marked. “I agree with you. The day we first met, when he opened the door, I thought all my Christmases had come at once.”
He stopped and checked her reaction.
“I remember the first time I met him at a debate. He spoke for his school. I swear they won because every female in the place voted for him. Girls used to sigh when he walked past, but he was totally oblivious. He has no side to him whatsoever and not a mean bone in his body.”
Linc sipped his coffee. “We’re going to the pictures tomorrow night, and he’s invited me to go to a party with him on Saturday night.”
“Bloody hell, he actually asked you to go with him?” She glanced around checking if anyone had heard her. “Sorry, teachers aren’t meant to swear, like we don’t have real lives either. I’m surprised, that’s all. I should shut up now. If he knew I was talking about him like this, he’d blush like mad.”
Linc leaned in. “I promise I won’t tell him. It’ll make a change to go out somewhere different. Usually, all my best friend Matt and I do is eat takeaway curry and drink too much beer. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a proper party, especially with someone as drop-dead gorgeous as David.”
Linc drank the last of his mug of coffee. “I think I’ll catch the end of the story if you don’t mind.” He stood. “It’s been good to meet you, Rosie. Let David know about the panto, and I’ll give the tickets to him. I’ll be starting work at his house next week.”
“Thanks, I’m sure his spoilt-to-death fur babies will love those runs.”
Linc made his way through the tables and chairs to the doors. Standing behind the large bookshelf, he listened to the story. While David read, enunciating each word, acting each part, voicing each character, Linc leaned on the shelf and closed his eyes, letting the dulcet tones wash over his senses. David had a voice Linc knew he would never tire of hearing. His brain immediately switched to thoughts of hearing him talk dirty, how he’d moan with Linc’s lips wrapped around his cock. He opened his eyes and adjusted his jeans just as clapping erupted at the story’s end. He stepped out into the open so Nettie could find him.
She skipped toward him, eyes aglow. “I love a happy ending,” she said. “I wish I could have a dragon—I’d be happy with a little one.”
“That probably wouldn’t be a good idea indoors.” He nodded at David then took Nettie’s hand and walked with her to his car. “Burgers for us both then?”
“Can I have a happy meal with the toy?”
“Of course you can, angel.” He secured her in the car and set off into the dark.