wondering why the sergeant had been a bit hostile towards her last night, and he was still deep in thought when she moved closer to Bob, and then she put her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.
Reggie was shocked and lost his balance falling backwards, sending everything flying. The dustbin lid went crashing to the floor making a very load noise. He expected to see his uncle come running out to investigate, but the door remained closed!
Instead it was the man from the shop next door who appeared.
"Oh, its you!"
He was peering over the adjoining wall.
"Have you come to see Bob?"
Reggie picked himself up, dusting down his trousers.
"Yes, but I think he's got his hands full at the moment!"
He went bright red, realising what he had just said.
"I'll call back later!"
With that he hurriedly grabbed his bicycle, and was out of the gate before the man had a chance to say anything else.
Reggie rode down the passage and out onto the high street, still shocked by what he had just seen. He decided then and there not to mention it to anyone, especially not his Auntie Val!
Three
Saturday morning brought yet more rain, tempered by a cold wind that cut through the air like a sharp knife. Reggie wondered whether it would be a good idea to go to the shop today, particularly after yesterday's developments. If he did, then he was not sure what he might find; but if he stayed away, then his mother would want to know why, and she had a habit of forcing information out of him. Once she found out about Heather, then it might turn a tiff between his aunt and uncle into a full-blown divorce. Whatever he did would be wrong, and he was in a real dilemma.
The newly open toasting loaf sat on the side, with two of its pieces hanging over the edge of his plate, dripping with margarine. They were covered in light fluffy scrambled egg. That was the best thing about his mother; she was a very good cook. His father always used to look forward to coming home for a good feed. He always said that that was what he missed the most, when he was abroad on a contract. He would be away for another month, and they were both missing him; but as he always said, there was no way of earning that sort of money around here, and it was a sacrifice worth making.
"Hurry up, or you'll be late!"
His mother gave him another nudge, as the hands of the clock worked their way towards nine. He thought about it, but decided to go and hope for the best.
It was hard work fighting against the wind, as the cold rain lashed against his face. He was glad of the waterproofs that he had received for Christmas, as they were keeping him warm and dry. A strong gust nearly pushed him over as he turned the corner into the high street. It would not be long now before he would be leaning his bicycle up against the wall in the yard again. But, there was one thing for certain - he would not be climbing onto any dustbins today!
He knocked on the door loudly, hoping to disturb anything that might be going on inside. Bob opened it with a welcoming smile on his face.
"Hello Reggie!"
Things seemed fairly normal; normal that was apart from the trace of lipstick on his collar.
"Be with you in a minute, I'll just put my overalls on first.”
He did not seem to have noticed, and the last thing that Reggie was going to do was to mention it.
Bob looked very well, considering what had happened to him. Perhaps Heather was just the tonic he needed?
After all, she was very attractive, and he could not imagine many men turning her down in a hurry!
"I've decided not to open the shop again today, as I've been summoned to the Grange!"
Reggie was filled with curiosity, wondering why he had to go up there?
The Grange was where the local landowner and his family used to live. It was a typical stately home, although not on a particularly grand scale. During the War it had been taken over by the Ministry of Defence, who had been using it ever since. Reggie had only been up there once before, as it was a restricted area. The man on the gate had chased him off, and he always wondered what lay behind the large wire fence. The locals always referred to it as a meteorological office, although it was rife with rumour.
Bob was busy with his toolbox, making sure that everything was where it should be.
"You couldn't get the pliers for me could you?"
He asked, pointing towards the main counter.
Reggie was about to move, when the door opened. It was Heather.
"Sergeant Wilde's suspended me for not reporting for duty last night!"
She just bowled into the back room not noticing that he was standing there.
Reggie felt his face flush with embarrassment as their eyes suddenly met. There was then an awkward moment before his uncle spoke.
"Oh no!"
He sounded genuinely upset, but she seemed almost relieved.
"Well at least it gives me time to do other things!"
Reggie felt the warm glow of his cheeks again, and just stood there open mouthed as they embraced. When they finally parted after what seemed like an eternity, Bob introduced her properly to his nephew.
"This is Heather, she's a remarkable person!"
He did not realise that they had met on Thursday evening, or that Reggie already knew about them, and he smiled innocently at her.
"She rescued me the other night, and has been a source of comfort ever since!"
Reggie could feel his face begin to flush again, and made a sharp exit, venturing into the shop to get the pliers. He deliberately took his time, to give them a few moments together. When he thought that he had given them long enough, he bumped against the counter to signal his return.
"How long will you be suspended for?"
Bob took his signal, as Heather settle down next to him.
"I'm not sure; I've got to go in front of the Chief Constable.”
"Sounds serious!"
She nodded.
"I'm not bothered though. I've got more important things to worry about now!"
Bob took the pliers, slipping them into his toolbox.
"We're off down to the Grange, do you fancy coming along?”
Heather eagerly accepted, anxious to spend more time with him.
Reggie wondered whether she would become a more permanent fixture, or after a brief fling things would revert back to normal again. He was not left to wonder for long though, as there was a sudden knock at the door.
"Would you get that for me please Reggie, and whoever it is, would you inform them that we're closed today!"
It was Auntie Val, and Reggie did not know what to do. But before he had a chance to do anything, she forced her way past him.
"Bob!"
It was Heather's turn to look embarrassed now, particularly as she had that jumper on again!
What followed was probably the worst experience of Reggie’s life. Things quickly developed into a full-scale row, with lots of shouting and floods of tears, most of them coming from Heather, who felt the full force of Auntie Val's temper. Reggie was shocked at her, especially when her newly found etiquette vanished, to be replaced by the sort of behaviour his mother would have frowned upon. He decided to retreat into the yard, where the man from the shop next door stuck his head over the wall, just as he had done the day before. This time however, it was not Reggie making all of the noise.
He heard the shop door banging, and words out in the street. Heather came walking into the yard, with her nose bleeding, and her jumper all torn. She pressed herself against him sobbing, so Reggie instinctively put his arms around her, as it seemed like the best thing to do. The man from next door was certainly getting his money’s worth today, nosing into his uncle’s business, although when he slipped off what he was standing on, sending his dustbin flying, they had to laugh.
It was at that moment, that Reggie realised what a nice person Heather really was. She had a kind and gentle nature, although she lacked a little self-control. He wondered what she was doing in the police forc
e, particularly with a figure like that.
Bob came out, all apologetic, as the man from next door rattled about in his yard. He escorted them inside, opening the first aid box. It was his turn with the cotton wool today, and he dabbed it gently on her upper lip, mopping up the blood.
Heather stopped crying. She looked vulnerable, with her mascara all smudged, and the left shoulder ripped out of her jumper. Reggie wondered how she would cope with a fight on duty, but fortunately they all lived in a quiet part of the country.
Bob looked at his watch.
"I’m afraid that we'll have to make a move!"
With that they ventured back into the yard, to where Bob had left his van. After locking up, Reggie squeezed in next to Heather on the front passenger seat, as a few spots of rain signalled the approach of another squally shower. She was shivering with cold, as an icy blast of rain-splattered air came in through the open door, as he struggled to close it. Reggie pulled the seat belt out and managed to fasten it, as Heather continued to tremble. He could see the goose bumps on her legs as she tried to pull her short skirt down towards her knees. There was blood on the blue material, which upset her, as she had already ruined her jumper. Reggie held her hand comfortingly, and she smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek, towards another bloodstain on her jumper.
Bob started the engine, as Heather fiddled with her jumper, trying to secure the top of the material, but it kept on slipping down revealing her black bra underneath. Normally she would have gone home to change, but she wanted to be with Bob, who did not want to keep the Ministry waiting.
The van moved into the lane as the weather conditions worsened.