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“That’s why I have a dog. They insist you get up and out.” Hayden peered at the painting. “The sea isn’t always as pretty as it is today. I’d like to meet whoever did this, because this is just as realistic as that beach out there. Dunno who the artist was. All it says on the back is number four, in Roman numerals like, and I often wonder if the other three are as good.”
Charlie noticed that Bosun had curled up in his basket with half an eye open, just in case. He had no interest in the view, or the painting, just in the possibilities of the opening fridge door.
Hayden showed Charlie the spotlessly clean bathroom and told him he had ten minutes to make himself respectable before breakfast would be on the table. When Charlie appeared, in a suit and clean shirt, his hair damp from the comb, teeth clean, and chin smooth, smelling of soap and a lemony aftershave, Hayden did a double take.
“Now you look like someone who can sort out those twisters in Llanfair,” he said, then pointed to two padded wooden armchairs facing the window. There was a small table between them, on which stood a Brown Betty teapot, cups and saucers, and two plates each with a thick bacon sandwich. There was a bottle of ketchup, and pieces of kitchen roll for napkins. Charlie took off his jacket and resolved to eat with care.
“This is wonderful, thank you,” he said.
“There’s not enough kindness offered any more,” Hayden said. "All you’ve cost me are two slices of bread, two rashers of bacon, and thruppence to ring the garage. In exchange, I’ve had some company, and the feeling of virtue will last all day. I can tell everyone that I know the man who is going to sort Llanfair out. Cheap at twice the price.” He twinkled his eyes at Charlie, who laughed, at ease for the first time in days. “The garage is sending someone,” Hayden went on. "They’ll be here in about twenty minutes, so sup up.”
Charlie duly supped and ate his sandwich without ketchup in case of drips on his clean clothes.
“If the garage people are quick, I’ll still be there by nine,” he said. “I don’t usually sleep in my car. I was planning to get there last night and find somewhere to stay, only I had one too many drinks.”
“I know,” Hayden said with a wink. “I saw you roll back after midnight. I always have a look out of the window when I get up in the night.” He shrugged. “Old man’s problems.” There was a pause, and Charlie saw a faint flush on Hayden’s cheeks.
“I have a friend,” he said, hesitantly. “A lady friend, Dilys. She lives in Llanfair and rents out a couple of rooms. For travelling workers, like, not tourists. Nothing fancy, but clean, and she’s a good cook. She knows everyone in the town. Maybe that might be useful, or maybe I should keep my big nose out.”
“Actually,” Charlie said, “that would be perfect. I’d love her number.”
Hayden’s smile was back, and his eyes twinkled again. “I’ll do better than that. I’ll ring her. Always good to have an excuse.” The blush was back, but Charlie didn’t think it meant the same as before.
Out of the window, Charlie saw a van arrive, and pull up next to his car. A man in overalls got out and peered at the flat tires.
“They’re here,” Charlie said, gathering up his dirty clothes and washbag.
Hayden ushered him out, promising to come down as soon as he’d spoken to Dilys.
“Keeping us in business, the kids round here,” the mechanic said. He had already begun to jack up the car to fill the tyre with goopy stuff to stop any punctures. “They don’t make holes, just let the air out, so this is a just-in-case.” Charlie nodded. The police used it routinely. The mechanic was quick and efficient and had a card reader for the modest bill. As he got back into his van, Hayden arrived with a piece of paper.
“I hope you weren’t just being polite, because I’ve booked you into Dilys’s place for tonight. She’s got room if you want to stay longer. Number, and address.” He handed the paper over.
Charlie put it carefully in his wallet. “I wasn’t being polite. I can’t thank you enough for all your help, but I’d better go.”
“Make them wait,” Hayden almost growled.
I daren’t.
As he drove away, with a wave to Hayden, Charlie thought about the kindness of strangers. A man he had known for an hour thought he was the man to “sort out those twisters in Llanfair.”
OK. I’ll give it my best shot. Only it’s not the twisters themselves I have to deal with. It’s the mess they left behind.
Aftermath
Monday 9am
From the North Wales Courier and Post
The Llanfair College of Art scandal continued today with the suspension of the town’s most senior police officers. They have been named locally as Inspector Nigel Harrington-Bowen and Sergeant Jared Brody. The Courier and Post understands that two other officers have been transferred to Colwyn Bay. The enquiry into the scandal is being led by Detective Superintendent Maldwyn Kent of Clwyd Police. When contacted, he had no comment to make.
From the Action for Women website
The parents of art student Matilda Everard have demanded action from Llanfair College of Art as their daughter recovers in hospital after a suicide attempt.
“Matilda reported that she’d been assaulted in the town, and no one listened,” Jane Everard, Matilda’s mother, told our reporter. “The college has a duty of care to their students. Instead, they colluded with the police in covering up.”
A Clwyd Police spokesman said that the investigation was ongoing
