Life in Aidensfield
Chapter Six: Old Enemies
POV: District Nurse Maggie Bolton
I'd followed John to the surgery and Kate thankfully gave him the all-clear, but she DID tell him to notify her if the pain got any worse. Alf opted to stay at the pub for a bit longer (after a pulling a disappearing act when Nick turned up), and so I decided to walk back to the flat with John.
As we approached the alleyway, I squeezed his arm. "Do you have the torch?" I could hear his keys jingling in his pocket as he fished around for the torch. "Do you mean this one?" (I could hear the ruddy smirk in his voice even though I couldn't see it).
Giving his arm a soft poke, I rolled my eyes. "Let there be light! Much better." Linking my arm with his, we walked the ten steps to the bottom door of the flat. Grabbing my set of keys from my own pocket, I turned the key in the lock.
Holding the door open, I took the torch from John and shone the light up the stone steps. "Are you sleeping outside or are you coming up here? The batteries won't last forever!" Hearing the shuffling of footsteps, John began to make his way up.
"Coming, light of my life!" Grinning, I kept the torch shined on the steps as John made his approach. Once he was safely indoors, I locked the door behind me and removed my jacket, hanging it up and shivering.
"It's bitter out there AND indoors! Get that fire going!" "Yes, Ma'am!" Saluting with a grin on his lips, my fiancé sauntered away to deal with the fire. I felt a fur tail brush past my shin, the creature padding its feet towards the living room.
Thinking nothing of it, I made my way to the kitchen, when I was stopped in my tracks upon hearing a howl, a hiss and then a yelp. "RUDDY VERNON, MIND YOUR CLAWS!" Kneeling down on the carpet, I made little kissing sounds with my lips and snapped my fingers, grinning as soon as I heard little padding along the carpet.
"Come here, you naughty devil! You're a gorgeous little panther, aren't you? How can anyone give such beautiful creatures a bad image and reputation?" Picking up the black cat in my arms as I rose to my feet, I walked over to the spare room and gently placed the purring beast on the bed, giving him a light stroke. "Now, you stay here until Uncle Alf gets back."
Leaving the feline to snooze on the bed, I walked back into the living room and saw my husband-to-be tending to the coal-and-log fire, squatting in a very uncomfortable position. I was sure his jeans were going to tear open at the seams!
Feeling my eyes on him, he turned his head back to gaze at me, smirk ever-present. "See anything you like, my darling?" Grinning at him, I sat on the sofa and folded my arms, shaking my head. "I'll tell you when you sort the fire out!"
Rising to his feet, John grabbed a sheet of old newspaper and a roll of sellotape, tearing off a couple of strips and affixing the newspaper over the fire before standing up again. Just as he was about to sit down, his attention turned to the loud hammering emanating from the bottom door.
"Be right back, love." After waiting what seemed like hours (but in effect it was a few minutes), I stood up from the sofa and walked over to the door. Peering down the stone steps, I could hear John arguing with a loud, brash woman.
"There is no way in Hell I'm letting YOU in, Armstrong!" I couldn't see the woman, but as soon as he uttered her surname, I knew EXACTLY who he was speaking to. Almost running down the steps (glad I'd left the hallway light on!), I stood next to John and glared at the woman wearing a tatty, old floral dress, a pea green hat and tatty, old leather boots. When she opened her mouth, her unsightly yellow teeth could be seen.
She shot me an arrogant look and grinned at me. "Oh, look! It's the Angel of Mercy! Where have you been while your life partner's mother is dying, eh!?" I stood my ground, undeterred by this loudmouth.
"Mrs. Armstrong, Florence has refused my care many times. As I am sure you well know, I have volunteered to drive her to Ashfordly General many times in the past. If she doesn't want my care, I CANNOT force her to have treatment."
Peggy Armstrong rolled her eyes in dismissal, the overbearing arrogance ever-present. John kept his arms firmly planted on both sides of the doorframe. Just as Peggy tried barging past, we heard footsteps fast approaching.
It was Mike. The soon-to-be ex-village copper walked behind Peggy and grabbed her shoulders, pulling her back. "That's quite enough of that, Mrs. Armstrong. This is your second warning. Leave now, and don't come back or I'll be arresting you."
Trying to break free of Mike's grasp (which was an impossible feat!), Peggy growled. "Don't you ruddy DARE touch me, copper!" Mike pulled the old woman back, not even breaking a sweat. "Last warning, Mrs. Armstrong."
Sighing in defeat, Peggy calmed down. When Mike released his grip, Peggy wagged a finger in my face. "Heed my warning, Bolton! If you don't help Florence, I'll have you strung up for negligence, mark my words! All right, I'm goin'!"
When Peggy FINALLY walked off into the distance, John took me into his arms and sighed. "I'm sorry, angel. You shouldn't have had to put up with that." Leaning against his frame, I looked up at him, smiling.
"I'm in this for the long haul, remember? An old bat like Peggy Armstrong isn't enough to knock me down a peg." Chuckling, John turned his head to Mike. "Thanks, mate. Your timing is impeccable as always."
With a smirk playing upon his lips, Mike placed a hand on my fiancé's shoulder. "Just think, all of this will be your problem as soon as can be arranged." Rolling his eyes, John retained his grin. "Not until I learn to ride a motorcycle. Monday lunchtime still good?"
Nodding, Mike began to turn away. "See you then." As PC Bradley walked back to wherever Jackie was, John turned to me again. "I need a drink. Back to the pub?" Grinning at him, I rolled my eyes. "You never change, husband-to-be. Let me just get the lights and my jacket. Wait there."
Blowing a kiss behind me, I sniggered and made my way back up the stairs. Threading my arms through my jacket and fastening it securely, I then entered the living room and dampened down the fire enough, but not so much as to extinguish it, as I knew we wouldn't have much time in the pub. Escaping the heat of the living room, I rested my hand on the light switch for a moment, but decided to leave it on as we'd only be gone for ten minutes or so.
Giving Vernon one last look, I sauntered back down the steps, not forgetting to close and lock the doors behind me. I saw John leaning against the opposing wall, cigarette perched between his lips. Giving me a nervous smile, he took my hand as we walked back to the pub.
Leaning into his arm, I chuckled at my sudden, intrusive thought. Taking another drag from his stick 'o death, my fiancée rested the side of his head against mine as we walked. "Care to share, love?" Resisting the urge to fight the grin plastered on my face, I sighed, still smiling.
"You're terrified, aren't you?" Finishing the rest of his cigarette, he flicked the butt away using his index finger and thumb before standing in front of me. "Not terrified per se, merely nervous as bikes and myself don't mix."
Patting his shoulder, I chuckled. "Oh, you'll be fine. Mike's a great teacher! Come on, I'm thirsty." Smirking, John held open the inner door for me. "Right behind you, royalty."
End of Chapter Six