Page 28 of The Seaside Supper Club

A car whizzed past her abandoned vehicle, and then her. Ah, great. It didn’t even stop to help. Mind you, she didn’t fancy getting into a vehicle with a complete stranger, either. She knew that the Mini only had a puncture repair kit and no spare wheel on board. Not that she’d have known how to change a wheel by herself, anyhow. It was a Sunday, and she didn’t know any local garage or tyre companies’ telephone numbers. Google was struggling with the lack of decent signal out here for any internet roaming, too. Will … ring Will, came to mind. And she did.

He answered within two dial tones. Phew. ‘Hey, how’s it going? Good trip to see Adam?’ He sounded all cheery.

‘It was … but ah, it’s all gone wrong. I’m stuck, somewhere on the 697. Tyres blown, and the Mini’s knackered.’

‘Shit. Are you okay?’

‘Yeah, yeah, I’m okay, just shaken up a bit.’ She felt a bit teary all of a sudden, remembering how close a call that lorry had been. ‘I just don’t know who to call out. I’ll need a new tyre, wheel probably, too. It looks pretty wrecked. Just missed a huge lorry by …’ She puffed out a sigh, and then took a sniff, trying to hold back her tears.

‘Hey, I’m coming out to get you. Where are you?’

‘Umm, well, I passed Longfram’ maybe five … ten minutes ago. I’m not exactly sure. There aren’t really any landmarks … just moorland.’

‘Ah, I’ve an idea where you are. Are you safe? Are you out of the car?’

‘Yeah, yeah. I got out okay. I’m walking up the side of the road … on the verge. I’ve called 101. Perhaps I’d better stay near the car for when they send someone out.’ A chill ran through her, even though it was now May, she found herself feeling cold in her light summer jacket. When she’d dressed for her journey home, she hadn’t imagined she’d be stuck outside, nor on the edge of the moors. The shock may have had something to do with it, too.

‘Okay, I’m on my way. And I’ll call out the Kirkton garage from the car. I’m pretty sure they have a 24-hour recovery service. Stay safe, yeah.’

‘Yeah. Thank you.’ When someone then passed by in a car, she felt the whoosh and heat of it, it felt way too close. ‘Damn, it’s not the best bit of road here.’

She also feared another driver wouldn’t spot the warning lights, and end up hurtling right into the back of her Mini. That would be so awful … and she daren’t think of anyone getting hurt because of her having to stop there – even if it was through no fault of her own. Yes, she’d wait for the police, or whoever they might send. Scaling the stone wall, she looked for somewhere to sit this out in the rough moorland. Finding a rock to settle on, she had a feeling it was going to be a long, chilly wait.

*

Boy was she happy to see Will’s blue hatchback appear along the road, twenty-five minutes later, and pull over with his hazards on beside the Mini. She waved from her bum-numbing rocky perch on the moorland grass rise, and headed down to the stone wall to meet him.

Wrapping her up first in a hug, and then a cosy sweatshirt he had to hand. ‘You all right?’ he asked, looking concerned. Aw, he’d even thought to bring her one of his fleeces.

‘Yeah, it could have been far worse. The tyre’s totally blown out. I lost control of the steering at that point.’

He looked down at the passenger side of the car, and puffed out his cheeks. ‘Whoa! Looks like you had a lucky escape. Come on, get yourself into my car. I think I’ll move it further down the road, somewhere safer. I spotted a layby just before.’

‘What about the police? They’re meant to be coming to put out some warning signs or something … I ought to be here, I suppose … oh, and the garage, did you manage to get hold of anyone yet?’

‘Yep, all sorted. There’s a tyre specialist coming out in the next hour, and if they can’t sort it roadside, they say they can organise a recovery vehicle to follow.’

‘Aw, thank you, Will.’ She felt like a weight had been lifted. She was by no means inept. She dealt with most situations in life head-on, and managed to sort things out. But it was such a relief to have someone looking out for her, helping her through a difficult time. Someone who cared for her.

‘Let’s leave a note on the car window with your number and a message, and we’ll sit it out together somewhere safer down the road. We’ll no doubt spot the tyre van going past, anyhow. It’ll be far better waiting in the layby than here.’

‘Yes, of course. And are you sure you’re okay waiting on with me? I’m not spoiling any plans?’

‘It’s fine. We’ll get the car sorted, then I can take you home. In the meantime, you can tell me all about yesterday, and your trip to see Adam. How’s he doing?’

The deft switch in conversation took her mind off the stress of the last forty minutes, which was no doubt Will’s plan. A short while later, a police patrol car passed them and they watched it begin to slow. It went out of sight, disappeared for a couple of minutes, and then it must have done a U-turn to catch up with them. An officer approached, established that they were linked to the broken-down car, and advised that they’d put out some traffic cones and a warning sign.

The tyre van arrived soon afterwards. Will drove along to speak with them. It didn’t take long for the two guys to ascertain that the Mini’s whole wheel was knackered, confirming Cath’s hunch. Changing a tyre was not going to be enough, so the next step was to call out the breakdown team. The lads offered to take the Mini’s keys and said they’d coordinate the recovery, advising Cath that it was fine to go on home. They confirmed her mobile number with her and promised to provide an update later.

*

Arriving back at Tilldale village felt like coming home, and was such a relief after the trials of the day. As they passed the first cottage of the main street, Will asked Cath if she’d like to come in to his for a cup of coffee. He sounded caringly protective after all she’d just been through.

He always made good coffee, having a fancy machine that frothed the milk and everything. It seemed like just what she needed. ‘Thank you, yes, that sounds great.’

‘Oh, and Sophie’s here. She’s been up for the weekend,’ he added casually.

‘Oh, Will, you should have said. You’ve been away hours sorting all this out for me. I hadn’t realised. I must have spoilt your day together.’