Chapter Twenty-Six

You absolutely will not come with us!

Lisa read the text she had received from Felicity, smiled and sent her reply: I thought it would be fun, you know, seeing the fireworks with you, Pete and the children.

Felicity’s response arrived moments after: Pete has to work tonight, now. I’m taking my lot for a quick look at the parade and back. And that’s not the kind of fun you should be thinking about tonight.

Lisa rolled her eyes before sending Felicity a text telling her to behave, but Felicity’s reply, I will if you don’t ;-) made Lisa giggle. She had butterflies in her stomach and told herself they were caused by the excitement of a Saturday night out, as opposed to an evening in with Simon Cowell et al.

It had been years since she had been to see the bonfire procession and fireworks in town. In fact, the last time she had gone was almost certainly with Nathan. Prior to that teenage stand of independence, she had gone annually with her dad and brother, Luke, while their mum stayed at home with warmed pyjamas and hot chocolate ready for their return. Smiling at the happy memory, Lisa decided to give her parents a quick call.

‘Hello, darling, what’s wrong?’

‘Nothing.’ Lisa frowned, why an unexpected call made her mum assume something was wrong she had no idea. ‘I was just thinking about you. It’s the bonfire parade in town tonight and—’

‘Oh, how awful.’

‘Mum!’

‘Well you remember what it’s like, all those people you spend most of the year avoiding, dressed up and waving at you as if you haven’t hated each other for years; pretend soldiers – cheeks bursting as they try to belt out a tune on a trumpet – with some wannabe sergeant major up front waving a baton; and those grumpy pom-pom girls – too fat for their miniskirts – followed by some beaten-up, old van driven by someone looking like a 1970s Top of the Pops presenter—’

‘Mum, that is a terrible account of a lovely community event.’ And I suppose the French do it so much better! ‘Why would you say that? It’s not like you even came with us!’

‘I did when you were little. Why do you think I offered to stay at home and make sure the hot chocolate was ready for when you got back for all those years?’

Lisa couldn’t believe it. As the memory, briefly warm and beautiful, fizzled into insignificance extinguished by her mum’s words, she decided not to mention that she was going, or whom she was going with. ‘Well, I loved going with Dad and Luke.’

‘I know you did, darling. Talking of Luke, have you thought any more about Christmas? You’ll need to book soon if you’re flying out. He’s really looking forward to seeing you. We all are. Your Dad and I were just saying how lovely it would be to share our Christmas here with you both. It really has been too long since we’ve had a real family Christmas.’

A real family Christmas. Lisa bit her lip; why did family have that special knack of winding you up completely, making you feel guilty and reminding you how much you love and miss them all at once? ‘I haven’t forgotten—’

A ring at the doorbell made Lisa jump and her tummy flip.

‘I’ve got to go, but I will sort Christmas soon, I promise. Love you, Mum.’

‘Love you.’

Checking her appearance in the mirror, Lisa went to the door. Just friends, just friends catching up! The memory of the last time she had stood on the doorstep with Nathan made her cheeks turn pink and she blew out a steadying breath; strictly no moonlit hugs. Lisa knew she could do without such complications, her mind was getting too carried away. But Winnie was right, she did need friends and friendships were important. The fact she and Nathan had once dated did not have to complicate the issue, did it?

As Lisa opened the door, Nathan smiled. She liked his smile, she always had. He had a couple of days’ worth of stubble across his chin, which she was beginning to realise must be a permanent fixture, and pre-ruffled hair. Both added to the rugged look of his outfit, which Lisa decided was Timberland does Canadian lumberjack.

‘It’s going to get bloody freezing later. Are you going to be warm enough?’

Lisa looked down at her jeans and jacket. ‘Oh, hold on,’ and went back inside to grab her new scarf and hat. She picked up her gloves and hesitated, before putting them back on the side, telling herself it was too mild for gloves and that leaving them had nothing to do with hand holding opportunities that might arise during the evening.

The fact she had not yet worn any of her new knits dog walking meant they still looked a bit too new. The thought that Nathan might think she had bought them especially for the evening amused her. In London, accessories had been jewellery, expensive bags and shoes chosen by Ben. Now she was wrapped in woollies, in a way her Granny Blake would have approved of, and she felt more excited about going out than she could remember for a long time.

Stepping out into the cool evening air, Lisa was determined not to let her mum’s words affect her judgement. She had always loved bonfire night and the expectant atmosphere it induced. She was almost thirty and she could still feel it, as excitement grew inside her she thought of the procession; the bonfire; the greasy, over-priced hot dogs – as her dad called them, while buying them despite his protestations – and, the climax of the evening, the grand firework display holding their attention until the final flash of colour lit the sky – a sign saying ‘goodnight’.

Walking along the streets, and seeing families leaving their homes and setting off in the same direction brought back happy childhood memories. Lisa remembered how excited she and Luke used to get if they glimpsed any fireworks in the dark evening sky en route to the procession. She always envied those families who had fireworks in their own gardens, while her mum would never allow it; she was always too worried about the scorch marks and the scattering of empty firework shells destroying her lawn. Lisa remembered how it had taken her mum weeks to recover from the horror of their neighbour, Mr Bates, almost setting fire to her weeping willow – a tree that Lisa felt made far more mess than any firework display would – with a rocket that went astray.

‘Where do you want to stand?’

‘Oh, anywhere really, I’m just happy to be out, away from my X Factor and Strictly friends.’ Lisa cringed, realising that what was meant to be a joke made her sound rather sad. ‘I mean, you know, it’s Saturday night. It’s been a while since I’ve had any excitement on a Saturday night.’ Shut up, shut up now! ‘I mean, in London I was out all the time.’ Oh yes, a party animal, that’s me. Lisa closed her mouth to stop herself rambling on further.

‘Well, we could stand on the corner by Doc Green’s surgery, that way we can get a drink en route, watch the procession and get down to the beach before everything else kicks off.’

‘Sure.’ Lisa wasn’t sure she wanted to stand by the doctors’ surgery, but she could hardly explain that she had made a fool of herself there, taking Fred in for having a shoulder blade, for goodness’ sake, and that, for some reason she couldn’t explain to herself, she felt awkward at the thought of bumping into Dom while out with Nathan. How could she possibly begin those introductions?

As they made their way towards the pub, their feet scrunching through fallen leaves, Lisa decided to let Nathan do the talking. She listened as he told her about the places he had travelled in search of the best wave, the most technical ski run, and the best climb. He was completely animated as he spoke, full of passion for his action-packed life. Lisa thought back to the Nathan she had known and the things he had wanted. She wondered if he ever considered how his life might have been different if she had said yes to his proposal, back when he thought the biggest thrill in his life would be saving enough for them to put a deposit down on a house. When she refused his proposal, she had set both of their lives on a different path.

Ironically, it seemed now, both of them had gone on to experience new adventures. OK, so it had been some years now since Lisa had done any thrill seeking, but in the early days, when she first went on her travels, she had embraced opportunities as they arose. She had learnt to snowboard, she had ridden jet skis and she had been brave enough to parapente off mountains in Chamonix. She had left her hometown to experience the world and she had, well India and parts of Europe anyway. As Lisa continued to listen to Nathan talk about his love of travelling and extreme sports a thought slipped into her mind, one she had never considered before: Would he have come with me? Could we have done it all together, if I had stopped to ask? She decided to push the thought away. Bloody what ifs! Lisa knew they could eat you up if you let them.

Brushing past a man carrying an enormous bunch of helium-filled, Disney-character-adorned, glow-in-the-dark balloons, Lisa spotted Felicity and Melissa in the gathering crowd on the opposite side of the road. Bella was presumably somewhere hidden within the huge hood and warm cosy-toes of her pushchair, while Flick’s children sat in a line along the edge of the kerb. Spotting Lisa they gave her a wave, flashing a variety of neon glow sticks, lightsabers and twirling, light-up butterflies in her direction. Touched that they looked so genuinely happy to see her, Lisa waved back, and laughed as Alice picked up a no-parking cone and plonked it on Callum’s head. About to berate her daughter, Flick noticed Lisa and beckoned her over.

Lisa smiled. ‘Look, it’s Flick; let’s say a quick hello.’ The words slipped out naturally before she considered the fact that she, Flick and Nathan had not all been together since the night of the prom. And as if that didn’t make the situation awkward enough, Lisa began to recall all of the silly comments Flick and Melissa had made about firemen.

Nathan seemed reluctant, but followed Lisa as she made her way across the road, dodging cars attempting to find their way out of town – avoiding roads already closed for the parade.

As Lisa neared Felicity and Melissa she mouthed ‘Behave,’ and gave them a ‘don’t you dare’ glare, resulting in them doing shocked faces, portraying false innocence and giggling by the time they actually reached them.

‘Nathan, look at you.’ Felicity placed her hands on Nathan’s biceps and turned to wink at Lisa.

Oh no! Lisa wished they’d just waved from afar.

‘It’s been a really long time,’ Flick leaned in and gave Nathan a kiss on the cheek before letting him go, ‘though I think my hubby said he’s seen you at Cin Cin. He works there some nights, you might know him, Pete—’

‘No, sorry, I mean, I don’t go there often,’ Nathan interjected.

‘Oh, OK.’ Flick bit her lip. She was certain Pete said he knew Nathan, but before she could quiz him further Melissa was introducing herself to him, and they were making small talk about the weather being perfect for the parade and fireworks, while the children started doing a light show for the benefit of their new audience.

‘So how about you, Lisa, looking forward to the fireworks later?’ Flick lifted her eyebrows suggestively.

‘Yes, I’m sure they’ll be good,’ Lisa hissed, trying to remove any innuendo from Flick’s comment, ‘the display always used to be great,’ and failing miserably.

Felicity sniggered and Lisa blushed.

‘Anyway,’ Lisa continued, ‘we better go if we are going to get a drink before watching the parade.’ To move Nathan away Lisa took hold of his arm, a move not missed by Felicity and Melissa who smiled as they said their goodbyes.

‘Is Nathan Lisa’s boyfriend?’ Alice chirped after them.

‘No, darling, he’s her friend.’

Lisa smiled in relief, embarrassing moment avoided.

‘Where’s his big hose? You and Melissa said you might see Nathan’s big hose!’

Lisa’s eyes went wide and she picked up her pace, practically dragging Nathan along behind her as he barely bothered to stifle his laughter.

The pub was warm and busy. Lisa found it almost overwhelming. It had been a long time since she had been amongst so many people in a similar atmosphere. While she loved having her own business, working for herself and by herself, looking after pets whose owners were often out at work or away, meant she could go whole days without speaking to other human beings. And while she always chatted to her fury clients they weren’t exactly great conversationalists. Lisa knew isolating herself from the world around her had become an unhealthy habit. She needed a life. She was almost thirty and, despite how sad she had been recently, she knew she was not yet ready to give up on life and what it had to offer.

Nathan returned from the bar holding a wine for Lisa and a Peroni for himself.

‘Here’s to us,’ he announced cheerily, passing her the wine and clinking glasses.

Lisa swallowed.

‘Friends.’

‘Friends.’ Lisa took a big drink of her wine.

Leaving the warm pub made the evening air feel chillier in contrast to when they had gone in. Lisa wrapped her scarf back round her neck and pulled her hat down over her ears. She felt the cold seeping into her jeans.

As they took their place at the edge of the pavement outside the doctors’ surgery, Lisa welcomed Nathan standing behind her, shielding her from the chilly breeze. They could hear the parade in the distance and see the grey haze wafting into the air caused by the torches of fire being carried. Children around them were becoming increasingly excited as their parents fuelled their anticipation – their own enthusiasm stoked by their proximity to the pub and the swift one they had allowed themselves while waiting.

‘Here it isn’t,’ one dad repeatedly teased as his son groaned at him.

Nathan leaned down to Lisa. ‘I wish here he wasn’t,’ he whispered, sending a shiver down her spine as his breath brushed her cheek.

Lisa nudged back into him in an attempt to get him to be quiet, but bumping into his firm torso did nothing for the goosebumps she could feel on her arms as she fought the urge to stay pressed against him.

Finally, the parade drew near. Lisa watched with a big smile on her face, just as she had for many years as a child. OK, so she could see a bit of what her mum meant, not all the pom-pom girls wore their skimpy outfit or a smile that well – but then who could blame them given the temperature – and she did get the occasional wave from people she could vaguely remember from school but hadn’t seen for years. But it was clear that most people had made quite an effort.

The costumes worn by those brave enough to be carrying torches, with huge orange flames lashing up into the night sky, were amazing; not a hint of a last-minute dash to the fancy dress shop about them. Lisa had always loved the spectacular, feathered headdresses, though she hadn’t noticed the small bells that chimed on the Native American Indian costumes before. As each of the torch-carrying walking groups went by, there was an awed hush from the crowd, punctuating the noise and mayhem from the rest of the parade. The Tudor lords and ladies that followed were every bit as impressive too.

Less impressive were the too-tight-fitting Spiderman costumes worn by a marching band of elderly gentlemen, who were showing off more than their musical skills with the cut of their tights. Sure that Alice would have had something to say about that, Lisa was pleased not to be standing with Felicity.

Despite the too-tight tights, Lisa had to admit the band was entertaining, carrying out a little sketch right in front of them in which one of them got shot by a man dressed as the Green Goblin who appeared from within a spacecraft – aka a shopping trolley – but nevertheless Lisa admired the effort. She glanced up at Nathan as they both laughed; she couldn’t help but think how attractive he looked, with his features illuminated by the flashes of colour from the parade and glow-stick carrying spectators, and, how, despite how she had promised herself she would resolutely quash it, she liked the feeling stirring inside her reminding her of the connection they shared. Oh Lord! She let her stare linger a little too long as she looked from his lips to his blue eyes. He smiled inquisitively as his gaze met hers. She felt the beat of the bass drum thud through her as the band started on their way again, and smiled back as the noise and mayhem around them slipped into insignificance.

‘Nathan—’

‘Oi, give it back!’

Lisa spun around and watched as her bobble beanie, warm and cosy on her head one minute and whipped off her head by a passing pirate the next, was being thrown from person to person on a float bedecked in a Peter Pan theme. Nathan ran the few paces after it and impressively leaped up onto the side in one swift movement. He seemed to know the perpetrators who laughed and launched the hat in the air towards a crows’ nest where Captain Hook caught it. Lisa watched open mouthed at the whole episode, her mind racing from the intimate moment they had just shared to the fact Nathan was now several feet away on a float in the middle of the bonfire procession.

The sign on the back of the float, which had come to a halt while the elderly Spidermen, now further up the road, re-performed their sketch, indicated a link to the local fire brigade. The words ‘Supporting those who run in when others are running to safety’ made her breath hitch. She had never really thought about it like that before. Looking at Nathan as he started to climb the rigging in an effort to retrieve her hat it was as if she was seeing him anew. He was not the boy she had dated all those years ago, he was a grown up, responsible man – someone who runs towards danger as others are running away. He’s a real life hero!

Shaking herself back to the moment and issue in hand, Lisa looked up to see the crow’s nest swaying precariously as Peter Pan and a way-too-large Tinkerbell urged Nathan down. The crowd were enthralled and the cadet band following, spotting the spectacle, started to play the theme to Mission Impossible without missing a beat. Realising his predicament in the swaying crows’ nest Captain Hook motioned defeat – much to the excitement of the crowd who whooped loudly. But as he threw the hat to the ground it was swept up by a waiting crocodile – or at least a man in a crocodile suit who seized his opportunity to take a starring role in the unfolding farce and revelled in the boos from the crowd. Walking along the line of onlookers in an attempt to keep up with the now steadily moving float, Lisa watched as Nathan leapt from the riggings and started to pretend to wrestle the crocodile. She couldn’t help but laugh. OK, so not entirely grown up!

When, at last, he retrieved the hat, Nathan took a bow and began to beckon Lisa. She shook her head. There was no way she would manage to climb on board a moving float with anything like the ease Nathan had. She was pretty sure she was more likely to be crushed as she slipped from the edge under one of the huge truck wheels than arrive on board with a hint of decorum.

‘Come on, I’ll catch you!’ Nathan put out his arms.

The crowd started to join in, calling for her to jump and the band were hovering on the ending of the Mission Impossible theme, drawing out committing to the final note.

Oh bloody hell! Lisa wished she could just slip away amongst the crowd, but too many people had their eyes on her. She was pretty sure that leaping onto a truck – albeit a very slow moving one – broke many health and safety rules, and, really, anyone connected to the fire brigade should have known that. Taking a breath and doing a backward swing as if she were about to embark on the high jump Lisa launched herself forward with the crowd cheering her on. It was only as she got nearer to the truck she realised she was never going to make it. It was way too high, the angle was completely wrong. She didn’t know whether to throw herself at it or run on by.

Just as it came to the crucial do-or-die or do-and-die moment, as she thought it might be, Lisa was swept up under the arms. She had a pirate either side of her, lifting her aloft and giving her enough elevation for Nathan to haul her up from them. While he smiled as he did so, Lisa was pretty sure the gritting of his teeth and the quake of his arms suggested she could have done with fewer Chinese meals and custard creams over recent weeks. Nevertheless, she had a huge grin on her face. The crowd were cheering, the cadet band released the final note of the Mission Impossible theme tune, the variety of steam engines following the band gave timely peeps and whistles, and Nathan pulled her into his arms and kissed her. It was unexpected, tender, fuelled by memories of their youth, and yet made more spectacularly knee-weakening by their increased experience. Flipping heck, it felt good!