Day Fourteen (Sunday)
Edward got out of bed and drew back the curtains. He knew it would be the last time he performed this particular ritual in this particular location. He felt a tinge of sadness to be leaving. He’d had a fabulous stay in this modest, little guesthouse, one he’d never forget. He’d remember Alan and Gwen and how kind they were to him for the rest of his days. He hoped to see them again. Indeed, he’d make a point of doing so. He’d accept their invitation to pop in on them from time to time, for a nightcap. If for any reason he did need a guesthouse in Swansea again, theirs would certainly be the one he’d choose. He had no doubt he would be coming back, even when his current stay ended. Whether that would be at Jill’s or somewhere else, he was less certain.
Edward looked out of his window across the bay. It was a grey day in Swansea, how he remembered it best really. Even though it was grey, he could still see Port Talbot to the east and Mumbles Pier to the right. There was no sign yet of the rain that was to come. That was expected to blow in shortly after lunchtime. He needed to get the small amount of moving that needed to be done completed by then. That was unless he wanted to get rained on. Maybe a small part of him did, just for old time’s sake. It was strange that he remembered the wet days, battling the elements along the bay road to the university campus, much better than the fine ones. There must have been just as many of those, when the sky was blue, and the air was still. Edward just didn’t remember them as well.
Breakfast was a little later on a Sunday, so Edward had his shower before going down. It would be the last time he felt the lukewarm water on his skin. He really should have mentioned it to Alan. It just seemed such a minor thing. It would have felt petty bringing it up, as everything else was so nice. He could hardly expect perfection on the daily rates he was paying. He mustn’t forget to settle his bill, and include all the whisky and sodas he’d had, before leaving. He certainly didn’t want Alan and Gwen to be out of pocket. Edward would have rather paid too much than felt he’d paid too little. When he went down to the breakfast room, he encountered Gwen waiting for him, before seeing Alan.
‘I just wanted to check it was scrambled eggs today?’ Gwen asked.
‘Yes, I did say that,’ Edward confirmed. ‘I had something different last Sunday, and thought I’d do the same today. Six cooked breakfasts in a row are probably enough for anyone. If I stay any longer, I’ll end up getting very fat,’ he chuckled.
‘I think your walking has helped keep you in shape,’ Gwen said. ‘If anything, I think you’ve lost a bit of weight,’ she complimented him.
‘You really think so?’ Edward said, surprised but secretly quite pleased by her remark. ‘You’re just being kind. I’ve also had a lot of cakes since I’ve been away,’ he admitted.
‘It doesn’t show,’ Gwen said.
‘I have been walking the dog a lot, or perhaps she’s been walking me,’ Edward said.
‘It must be keeping you fit,’ Gwen commented, as she disappeared back into the kitchen.
‘So last day, then,’ Alan said, as he guided Edward to a vacant table. ‘It won’t be the same when you’ve gone.’
‘It will seem odd to me too,’ Edward agreed. ‘The last fortnight has flown by. Although it also seems a while since I’ve been home in Oxford. That’s starting to feel like another lifetime.’
‘Well, I hope it all works out in the bookshop,’ Alan said.
‘I hope so too,’ Edward answered.
‘If it doesn’t, you can always come back,’ Alan told him.
‘Thank you, that’s good to know,’ Edward said, taking a sip of his orange juice.
He didn’t have a huge breakfast, just in case he ended up having another Sunday lunch in the pub. He would invite Jill of course. It would be the polite thing to do. Being a vegan, she might well not accept. A Sunday roast would hardly have the same appeal for her. Indeed, the thought alone was probably quite abhorrent. He imagined she could have the vegetables and some of the trimmings. Perhaps they did a nut roast or something similar, though Edward hadn’t seen one on the menu. He’d ask her anyway. She could only say no. Not that he was certain he’d end up in the pub anyway. The day might pan out quite differently. Jill might have different plans for him altogether.
Back in his room, Edward started to put all his things neatly together. He took his clothes out of the wardrobe and chest of drawers and placed them on the bed. He gathered up his toiletries from the sink and shower. He’d arrived with one bag, now he had two. He’d also acquired a couple of extra items, like some books and small mementoes of some of the places he’d visited. It probably wasn’t too much for him to carry by himself, but he’d humour Jill that it was. He’d formed the impression she was just looking for an excuse to see where he’d been staying. She was probably intrigued. He’d still given her no hint he could have afforded to stay somewhere much more expensive and markedly posher, even live there if that was his desire. It wasn’t. Edward had decided he liked the humble lifestyle. Before heading over to Jill’s, he went downstairs to pay Alan and Gwen the money he owed them.
‘Do you have my bill?’ Edward asked. ‘Make sure to include all the drinks I’ve had from the bar.’
‘I have it here somewhere, as I knew you were checking out today,’ Alan said, looking behind his desk for the piece of paper he’d printed out. ‘I think you’ve already paid for the first week anyway.’
‘As long as you haven’t missed any days that I’ve stayed. That’s all I’m concerned about,’ Edward said, anxious to pay what he owed in full.
Alan passed him the bill. It still seemed very reasonable, Edward thought, as he handed Alan his bank card, to take payment. Edward then reached into his wallet and pulled out one hundred pounds in crisp, new twenty-pound notes, which he handed to Alan.
‘That’s a small, personal thank you from me,’ Edward said, in a hushed tone. ‘Perhaps you and Gwen can treat yourself to lunch or dinner, if you ever get the time and opportunity,’ he suggested.
‘That’s most generous of you,’ Alan said. ‘I’m sure we can do something.’
He wasn’t used to getting tips from guests and his face positively lit up.
‘I’m just heading over to pick up Jill. Then I’ll be back in a bit to collect my things,’ Edward explained. ‘I’ll say goodbye then if that’s OK.’
‘That’s absolutely fine, and you can keep your things in your room as long as you like. There’s no hurry to leave,’ Alan said.
Before vacating his room, Edward made sure everything was neatly packed and ready to take. He carefully checked he hadn’t left anything behind. That would have been anathema to his naturally well-ordered mind. He even checked under the bed and in places he hadn’t used, just to be sure. He then proceeded on his now familiar way to the end of Oystermouth Road, before turning right into Guildhall Road South and continuing along Francis Street, between Victoria Park and the Brangwyn Hall, to the bookshop. Of course, when he arrived, as it was a Sunday, the shop was closed, and he had to ring the doorbell. Jill soon appeared.
‘Ready?’ Edward asked.
‘I’ll just get a coat, in case it starts to rain,’ she said, grabbing one off a hook and then pulling the door shut behind her. ‘I’ll show you round when we get back,’ she said. ‘I don’t want you to be put off until it’s too late and you’ve left the guesthouse. I’ve tried to tidy it up a bit,’ she laughed.
‘Will Beti be all right on her own?’ Edward asked, with a slight tone of concern in his voice.
‘She’ll be fine,’ Jill assured him. ‘Besides, we shouldn’t be too long.’
Edward led Jill back down the road, exactly the same way he’d just come, until they were standing outside Alan and Gwen’s distinctive-looking guesthouse.
‘Oh, this one,’ Jill said, sounding pleasantly surprised. ‘I’ve walked past it many times with Beti. I’ve always thought it looked the nicest.’
‘That’s exactly what I thought when I did a quick search on the internet,’ Edward said. ‘It was the one that I remembered best from forty years ago. It’s only small, but it’s cosy and comfortable. I was lucky they had space for me.’
He pushed his key into the front door lock and let Jill in.
‘I’m near the top,’ he said, leading Jill up the stairs, before letting her into his room.
The door was slightly stiff and hard to open. That was another small foible he’d brushed off during his stay there as simply quirky and adding to the general character of the place.
‘It is cosy, but nice,’ Jill said, bouncing down on the bed.
Edward was glad he’d packed his things into bags, or they’d have gone everywhere.
‘I like it,’ Edward agreed.
‘Lovely view,’ Jill said, pulling the curtains back and looking out across the bay. ‘I could stay here myself.’
‘There’s nothing stopping you,’ Edward pointed out.
‘Now that would be silly. I only live around the corner,’ Jill replied, with a reproachful look.
Edward handed her a bag, the lighter one.
‘I guess we should be going then,’ he said. ‘Are you OK carrying that?’
‘I can just about manage it,’ Jill replied, slightly mockingly.
Edward picked up his other bag and belongings. He paused for a moment, before shutting the door for the last time. He wanted to say a final goodbye to the room that had been his happy home for the last fortnight. He genuinely would miss it. He wondered if he ever would be back. He would visit Alan and Gwen of course. He was less sure if he’d ever see this particular room again. With a somewhat heavy heart, he pulled the door shut and proceeded down the stairs. At the bottom, he called out to Alan and Gwen.
‘I’m off now,’ he said. ‘Just dropping off the keys.’
At the sound of Edward’s voice, Alan and Gwen came running out together from the back room.
‘This is Jill,’ Edward said, undertaking the formal introductions. ‘And this is Alan and Gwen, who’ve kindly been looking after me.’
‘Hello,’ they all said, in unison.
‘Make sure you take good care of him,’ Gwen remarked.
‘I shall,’ Jill promised.
‘And make sure you pop in for a drink from time to time,’ Alan reminded Edward.
‘I certainly will. You haven’t seen the last of me,’ Edward promised. And thanks again for your hospitality. It’s greatly appreciated.’
‘It’s been a pleasure having you to stay,’ Alan said.
‘Goodbye,’ Gwen said.
She sounded a little sad to see him leaving. But it was time. It was time for him to go and embark on the next chapter of his stay in Swansea, at the bookshop, with Jill. When they got back, Jill paused for a moment before letting him in.
‘Don’t expect too much,’ she said, welcoming him inside.
There was a side door to the property. There were also stairs at the back of the shop, that continued to the accommodation above and doubled as a fire escape, he was later to discover. Jill used these when she was working, but not when the shop was shut. She led him up to the first floor. There were two rooms, a bathroom, and a small kitchen. One room was clearly Jill’s bedroom. The other was also a bedroom but was currently being used as a lounge. It was all a lot tidier than Edward had anticipated. Perhaps he’d misjudged her. Perhaps she’d had a massive spring-clean before letting Edward in. There were a few piles of clutter, but far less than he’d imagined. It appeared Jill wasn’t a person of numerous, unnecessary possessions. Perhaps she sensed Edward looking around, taking it all in, judging by her subsequent remark.
‘I had a big clear out when John died, and again when Megan left,’ she explained. ‘I gave a lot away to charity. I wanted to get rid of some of the memories, not that they were bad, quite the opposite really.’
The rooms had a slightly musty smell, as most older homes did. Jill had cleverly disguised it with a pleasant-smelling diffuser or by burning a mild incense. Overall, the impression was quite homely and quite welcoming. Edward nodded his approval. It was better organised than the bookshop. Perhaps Jill had just made a special effort, in readiness for his imminent arrival.
‘I thought you could have the converted loft upstairs,’ Jill suggested. ‘It’s not as bad as it sounds. It’s actually my favourite room.’
‘I’m sure it will be fine,’ Edward said, allowing Jill to lead him up to the top of the building.
She was right. It was indeed the most spacious of the three rooms by some distance. The ceiling was a little low at the sides, but nothing Edward couldn’t cope with. It would be more than adequate for his needs.
‘Why don’t you take this one for yourself?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know. I just never have,’ Jill said. ‘I’ve just kept it as the spare room since Megan moved out.’
Edward put down his bags. He could unpack and make himself at home later. There was no immediate hurry to do any of that.
‘It will suit me down to the ground if you’re sure I can have it,’ Edward said.
He could imagine himself already, sitting at what had been Megan’s desk, reading a book or doing a spot of writing or research.
‘I’m sure. I have my room, which I like,’ Jill confirmed. ‘Anyway, come down now. We can sit in the lounge, and I’ll make you a nice cup of tea.’
Edward accepted her invitation and made himself comfortable on the sofa in the lounge, while Jill went off to the kitchen to boil the kettle. The lounge was located directly over the front end of the shop, with Jill’s bedroom immediately behind. The lounge had a large window looking out onto the road. Jill’s bedroom had a window view onto the backyard. There was no real garden, though Jill had scattered a few potted plants around on the mossy, weather-beaten, paved surface. The bathroom and kitchen were on the other side of the landing. At the end of the landing was a small staircase down to the rear of the shop. Edward’s bedroom was the only room on the floor above. It had originally been a loft but had been cleverly converted into a large extra bedroom. For what appeared to be quite a modest property from the outside, the available space inside had been used quite wisely and for optimum efficiency. Jill returned a few minutes later with two steaming mugs of tea.
‘So, what do you think?’ she asked, at last. ‘I wasn’t sure you’d like it.’
‘It’s very nice. There’s more space than I expected. I could feel quite at home here,’ Edward admitted.
‘I’m glad about that. I was a bit worried it wouldn’t suit you, after dragging you away from the guesthouse you liked,’ Jill confessed.
‘I’m sure I’ll be very happy here,’ Edward assured her.
‘There is one thing. I realise we haven’t discussed what I’m to pay you for helping out in the shop. It totally slipped my mind until today,’ Jill said.
‘Well, I have been giving it some thought,’ Edward announced. ‘I don’t want payment. I was thinking more along the lines that we could become business partners. We could share the cost of running the shop and the bills of the house, and then split any profit equally. I can work any day you need me. Indeed, I’ll probably get on with sorting and cataloguing everything, even when you’re there too. It will be more like a hobby. It will give me something to do with my time. How does that sound to you?’
Edward didn’t let on he was a man of independent means and wasn’t doing it for the money. Indeed, he had one or two ideas to put a bit of his own capital into the business, to raise its profile and hopefully make it more profitable.
‘That sounds amazing if you’re certain it’s OK with you,’ Jill said.
‘I’m certain,’ Edward confirmed.
‘To be honest, after John died, I tried my best to carry on, but it was too much for one person,’ Jill said. ‘Gradually, more and more things ended up not getting done.’
‘Well, not anymore,’ Edward said. ‘We’ll gradually get everything back up to speed. Even if we don’t, it won’t be the end of the world. I was an investment banker in London in my working days, quite a good one. If selling books isn’t working out for us, perhaps we’ll branch into something else.’
‘Sounds like you’ve got it all planned out,’ Jill said. ‘I’m very glad to hear it,’ she added
‘How about I take you out for Sunday lunch, to cement our new partnership?’ Edward suggested.
Jill pulled back the curtain and peered out the window. It had started to rain quite heavily, just as was forecast.
‘I have an even better idea,’ she said. ‘Why don’t I cook for you?’
‘You really don’t have to, but if you want, you can,’ Edward said.
‘It will be vegan though,’ Jill explained. ‘Can you cope with that?’
‘Why not?’ Edward replied. ‘It will be my first vegan meal, at least that I know of.’
‘Well, let’s hope it’s not your last,’ Jill joked.
‘I’m sure it won’t be. As I say, I’m a new man. I’m trying new things. Perhaps you’ll see me in a whole new wardrobe one day. Perhaps I’ll grow my hair, what’s left of it. I am considering growing a beard. It will be my new, bookish look,’ Edward laughed. ‘I feel I need a new identity, to go incognito for a bit. I like the idea of wearing disguises, so Alice won’t find me. Besides, being a vegan might be good for me. It may help me lose a bit of weight. I quite fancy getting in shape. I had too many cooked breakfasts at the guesthouse, and a few too many cakes at the coffee shop,’ Edward confessed.
‘It will be a whole new world living under the same roof as a vegan,’ Jill said. ‘Hopefully, you’ll get used to it.’
‘Technically, as Beti is a meat eater too, you’re still outnumbered,’ Edward reminded her.
‘Yes, but I don’t see you as someone who ventures into a kitchen too much,’ Jill said. ‘How are your cooking skills?’
‘Not great,’ Edward admitted. ‘I ate out a lot when I was at work. I didn’t have much choice really. Even after retirement, it wasn’t that much different. Alice wasn’t a keen cook either. We probably dined out most nights if I’m honest. Sometimes we ordered a takeaway or even a hamper for the weekend. When we did dine in, it was often easy things like cold platters. We rarely ate anything which required a lot of preparation.’
‘I make most of my own food. I have to,’ Jill said. ‘It’s not so bad these days. You can get most of the ingredients from the local supermarkets. Those you can’t, I get from the health food shop.’
‘How long have you been a vegan?’ Edward asked.
‘I’ve been a vegetarian since my late teens, early twenties. I used to like the band The Smiths, who were active supporters of animal rights. That probably influenced me to give up meat. I gradually gave up dairy and eggs too. I suppose I’ve been totally vegan for about the last fifteen years,’ Jill explained.
‘That’s pretty impressive,’ Edward acknowledged. ‘Do you ever get bored of a limited diet?’
‘Not really, I’m always looking out for new vegan products and recipes to try. As more people are becoming vegan, choice is less of an issue than it was,’ Jill said.
‘Did you go to university, Jill, or did you go straight into work after school?’ Edward enquired, suddenly realising he didn’t know all that much about Jill’s pre-married life.
‘I did A-Levels, and I did an art foundation course afterwards. I was going to do an art degree, but I suddenly lost interest. I was seeing a guy at the time who had a job. I think I became jealous of the money he was earning, so I decided to get a job too,’ Jill said.
‘Have you always lived in South Wales?’ Edward asked.
‘Pretty much, I’m Swansea born and bred really,’ Jill replied. ‘I’ve lived in a few places round and about, but none too far away. I did try England once. I got a job in Swindon. I didn’t last very long. I was back after a few months.’
‘You must have been here when I was at university,’ Edward pointed out.
‘I must have been, but I would still have been at school then,’ Jill said.
‘If you’d been a few years older, we might have bumped into each other in one of the local pubs,’ Edward suggested.
‘That’s a funny thought,’ Jill said. ‘I started going out when I was fifteen or sixteen, so we probably only missed each other by a year or two.’
‘Yes, I’d probably just graduated and gone back to Oxford by then’ Edward nodded. ‘Of course, I met Angela in Swansea, so I didn’t notice other girls as much as I might have.’
‘You might have noticed me. I looked pretty crazy in those days,’ Jill laughed.
‘I’d like to have seen it,’ Edward said.
‘I’ll see if I can find a picture when I get a moment,’ Jill said. ‘I was quite arty and punky back then. I wore outlandish, colourful clothes and had wild, spiky hair. It was the fashion among the art students. I’ve calmed down a bit in the time since.’
‘I’m pleased to see it,’ Edward noted.
‘You were lucky to find Angela so young. I didn’t meet John until my mid-thirties. It was probably why we only had the one child together. I was a bit old to have more. I’d had one or two stupid, bad relationships before I met John. He gave me the pleasant, settled life that I needed. Things were a bit haphazard for me before that. I was always changing jobs. I didn’t really know what I wanted. My parents despaired,’ Jill said.
‘Are they still alive?’ Edward asked.
‘My mum is, not my dad. But she’s getting on, well in her eighties now. She’s still local and has her own place,’ Jill said. ‘What about yours?’
‘Both gone now. They have been a while. They weren’t that young when they had me. My dad passed nearly twelve years ago, my mum about five. I still miss them. They both outlived Angela. I still miss her too,’ Edward said.
‘I miss John, but I’ve learnt to live without him,’ Jill said. ‘Anyway, this is a day of happiness not sadness. You make yourself comfortable here, watch a bit of television, whilst I rustle something up in the kitchen.’
‘As long as you’re happy to,’ Edward said.
‘I am,’ Jill confirmed, heading off to get the cooking started.
Edward looked at his watch. It was about half-twelve. They’d been chatting awhile. He hadn’t noticed time pass, but it had. He looked outside. The rain was falling in heavy drops against the windowpane. It had come early. It wasn’t originally forecast until afternoon. He could hardly complain. Arriving in May, he’d been generally lucky with the weather so far and had only experienced a few drizzly days. It was a good job they’d moved all his things first thing in the morning, however. If they’d hung on and waited, they’d have got very wet indeed.
Edward became absorbed in the television. A food programme was on. It was making him feel hungry himself. He was ready to eat, even something vegan. Edward was surprised how relaxed he felt. It was almost like being in his own front room back at home, although not quite as big and expensively decorated. Alice insisted on only the best furniture, fittings, and ornamentation in their house in Oxford. It had never been that important to Edward. He guessed it wasn’t to Jill either. After about twenty minutes had passed, Jill appeared with two steaming plates of food. She handed one to Edward and some cutlery. She then went back to the kitchen for a bottle of white wine and two glasses.
‘I know it’s not your usual red, but it’s all I have,’ Jill said. ‘I don’t usually keep much drink in the house. I’ve been saving this for a special occasion.’
‘I’m sure it will be lovely,’ Edward said, almost surprised to get wine too.
He took a sip from his glass and then started to tuck into his food.
‘It’s very nice. What dish is it?’ he asked.
‘It’s tofu and vegetables in a satay sauce on brown rice, with naan bread,’ Jill said. ‘It’s the kind of thing I eat a lot.’
‘I wouldn’t have known the little lumps weren’t meat,’ Edward admitted. ‘I could soon get used to it.’
So, Edward’s time in a vegan household began. After helping Jill with the washing-up, he spent the rest of the afternoon settling himself in. He unpacked his two bags and lined his small pile of books up on the bookshelf. He put his scant toiletries out on top of the chest of drawers. Judging by the roughness of his chin, he was overdue a shave again. He’d so lost the habit of shaving daily that he no longer noticed when he was sporting stubble. Perhaps he would just leave it and allow it to grow into a full beard. It might even suit him, he reflected. It might give him a noble look.
By late afternoon, the rain had eased. Edward offered to take Beti out for a short walk. When she wasn’t with Jill in the shop, she wandered between the kitchen, the lounge and Jill’s bedroom, wherever she felt most comfortable. Beti had a basket in each room apart from his, as well as the one downstairs. She hadn’t had a walk all day, so Edward walked her through Victoria Park and down to the seafront. He took the coastal path as far as the university campus, where he crossed and walked back on the other side of the road, past the entrance to Singleton Park and St Helen’s Rugby and Cricket Ground, up onto King Edward’s Road, before eventually returning to the bookshop. By timing his run, he’d managed to dodge the worst of the rain.
When he got in, he slumped down on the sofa. He looked at his phone. There had been more missed calls from Alice. He ignored them. He’d get in touch in his own good time. Whilst he’d been out, Jill had thoughtfully popped to the shop to pick up a bottle of red wine and some snacks to share. They spent the evening watching television together. Already Edward was feeling like they were some old, married couple. The strange thing was it wasn’t a bad feeling at all. It was really quite nice in fact.
