MATTHEW AND JOSIE HAD FIRST GONE UP A FLIGHT OF STAIRS and on to a gallery, which led to the rocket lift. Halfway along, they stopped to stare at what they read to be an actual Soyuz spacecraft, found in a Russian car park. It looked used, secondhand, and Josie said she felt a bit sorry for it. “Looks a bit like it was made of Meccano,” she said sadly. “Got left behind.”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “Cheer up,” he said. “Come on, let’s go. Space awaits us!” He was feeling a little light-headed, something to do with a combination of Josie’s hand in his, and the undeniable atmosphere of excitement that pervaded the whole place.
Fathers and sons were playing games based on magnetic attraction, and Josie said, “Why does that dad always win? He could lose for once. Give the boy a chance.”
Matthew looked at her seriously. “Any son of mine would probably win anyway,” he said. She was about to answer that it would depend on whose genes the child inherited, when her eye was caught by a familiar figure. “Hey, that’s that new bloke from Farnden,” she said. “Comes in the shop occasionally, and has his groceries delivered from Tesco.”
“Where? Who is it?”
“Him, over there. Adstone, that’s his name. Gavin Adstone, with his wife, Kate. She’s all right, but he’s a real know-all. Treats us all like country bumpkins. He’s on Dad’s SOS committee, unluckily for Dad.”
“Not taken to him, then, Josie? I expect he’s harmless enough,” he said, and began explaining the function of a hoodlike piece of equipment apparently lined with gigantic shirt buttons.
SEVEN
AS THEY ALL MADE THEIR WAY TO THE CAR PARK, JOSIE announced that she would go back to Farnden with Matthew. They were both effusive in thanking Douglas for organising the outing, and Josie said she intended to give the centre some publicity by pinning details to the shop notice board.
“That’ll certainly up the attendance figures,” said Douglas with a straight face. “Mind how you go, Matt,” he added. “Won’t do for a policeman to be caught speeding!”
Matthew Vickers sighed. How many times had this been said to him? But he was a good-humored soul, and smiled dutifully. “Precious cargo,” he said. “I shall be extra careful.”
“Blimey, our Josie’s a precious cargo, is she?” muttered Derek to Lois. “Getting serious, d’you reckon?”
“Hope so,” said Lois. “Time Josie got wed.”
“Mum! I heard that,” Douglas said, as he started the engine. “Don’t push. Best way to put them off, that is.”
They turned out of the car park, and this time they took no wrong turnings but drove steadily down a mercifully quiet M1 motorway. Conversation consisted entirely of an exchange of views about the centre, what they had liked best, what they’d missed. The general consensus was that it was a great day out, and they’d certainly go again soon.
Harry’s head soon drooped, and he was asleep.
“Look, Doug,” Susie said, turning round from the front seat. “He’s smiling, bless him.”
“Probably dreaming of walking in space,” Douglas said.
They were silent for a while, and then Lois said, “Hey, Derek, isn’t that Gavin Adstone and family?”
A large black car with darkened windows sped past them. “Idiot driver going too fast to be sure. Must be doing at least a hundred,” said Derek.
“And with a child aboard! And if you don’t mind my mentioning it, Doug, you’re doing eighty yourself,” said Susie.
“Could you see
“Give it a rest, Sherlock,” said Derek, and settling himself comfortably, he closed his eyes.
EIGHT
MONDAY MORNING, AND JOSIE STOOD AT THE SHOP WINDOW, looking up and down the street, wondering if any customers were likely to appear. She opened up every morning at eight o’clock, though she had to be on duty much earlier to take in and sort the post. This morning, apart from one or two early birds who came in for a newspaper, she had sold nothing.
It was half term, of course, and there wouldn’t be the usual kids who came in for unhealthy snacks before the school bus came along. In spite of their daily fix of chocolate bars and cans of sweet drinks, they all looked rosy- cheeked and healthy to her. The only one who was pale-faced and had a persistent cough was a girl from Blackberry Gardens whose parents were strict vegetarians. Josie hoped she was able to stuff herself with sausages at school dinners.
A woman came hurrying out of the house opposite. Josie retreated behind the counter, and saw it was Paula Hickson from across the road. “Morning!” she said. “Children all at home this week, I suppose?” She thought the woman looked even more harassed than usual, poor thing.
“Well, the twins and little Frankie are at home,” Paula said. “Only one missing is Jack Jr. Staying over with a friend in Tresham. Rang me this morning.”
“That’s nice,” Josie said. “He’s quite a big lad, your Jack. I expect he misses living in town with all his friends.”
Paula nodded. “I worry about him, though,” she said. “I’ve got no idea who his friends are, or where they live. If anything happened…” She trailed off, and took a packet of biscuits off the shelf. “Better get back,” she said. “I left the twins minding Frankie. Not legal, I know, but I can see the house from here.”
Josie handed over her change and frowned. “You can always give me a ring and I’ll pop over with whatever you need,” she said.
“Thanks,” Paula said. She started towards the door, then stopped and turned back. “You don’t know anybody wanting cleaning done, do you? I’ve got to get some extra money, what with Jack Sr. not contributing. He’s disappeared off the face of the earth.”
“Oh, my goodness,” Josie said. “But how would you manage with the baby still so young?”
“I was told the local nursery would take him two days a week. I’d get help from Social Services for that. Then with the twins staying for dinner at school, I could do quite a few hours. Anyway, if you hear of anybody…” She looked anxiously at her house over the road and began to open the door.
“Just a minute,” Josie said quickly. “My mum might be able to help. She runs New Brooms, the cleaning business. Shall I ask her?”
Paula’s face cleared. “Could you? It’d be ever so good of you. I’m a good worker, you can tell her. Got references, an’ all. Paula Hickson’s the name. Better get back, an’ thanks.” She ran across the road and into her house. As she opened the door, Josie could hear screams, and hoped the twins hadn’t thumped the baby.
Were children really such a good idea? Josie was well aware she had a pleasant, well-organised life, devoted to her shop and able to manage her own time as she liked. Matthew was certainly more attentive than ever, and she had the feeling that any minute now the question might be popped. Well, perhaps it would be best to give Mum a ring about a job for Paula and let true love take its bumpy course.
LOIS WAS IN HER OFFICE WHEN JOSIE PHONED. GRAN HAD JUST brought her a cup of coffee, and she had settled down with her computer. New Brooms team would be meeting here at noon, and she had a morning’s work to do organising schedules and other admin that had piled up during the week.
“Hello, love. All well?”
“O’ course. Nothing earthshaking has happened since I saw you twelve hours ago. No, this is a business call.
