Missing

Just as she thought nothing else could go wrong, the doorbell rang loudly on the bar. Freda looked up at the anxious woman and her friend and could now see the policeman in the pub. This was supposed to have been a relaxing camping weekend.

“What’s happened, Ruby”? I turned to the lady next to me.
“Sorry, what’s your name?”
“I’m Julie and my son is Henry.” Looking at Freda I said,
“Henry is missing, do you think Rex can help?”
“He can fetch slippers, not sure about boys, we can try. Why are the police here?”
“That might be my fault, I think my friend phoned them to help find Henry.” I was surprised,
“Wow, they came quick.”
“This is a small rural village, that’s Tom, everyone knows him.”
“Right, let’s see if Rex can find him.”

Henry

We are on a camping holiday weekend in the New Forest. Freda and I had decided to take a break away from all the people we know. Freda is my best friend and has been unwell, she is having counselling for depression which is not helping. Both of us love music, and it helps us both lift our spirits. I manage my own business singing in pubs and clubs. I love singing and Freda will play the piano. Side by side both filled with a happy feeling to keep going.

Tonight, we had been singing in the entertainment barn on site, I had found a new admirer in Mark the barn manager. We had just finished our show and now we were helping to find three-year-old Henry.  Giving Rex Henrys jumper to smell, we now started the search. Walking out of the barn our small group followed the sniffing Labrador. Tail wagging furiously, he seemed to know that his role is important. Rescuing an old forgotten tennis ball from a hedge he then started barking excitedly. Tom walked behind the hedge and we heard voices. A few minutes later he reappeared with two children and a cat.

“Henry, thank god, who’s your friend?”
“Michael.” I showed him my open hand and he took it.

“Let’s go and find your mum. Freda, I’ll see you back at the tent”
“Thanks, Ruby, Julie sniffed”.
“That’s ok, I’m pleased we’ve found him”.
I walked back to the barn,

Michael

“So, are you here with your parents?
“My dad brings me here, we live just down the road. I like to explore the campsite, there is so much to find in the evenings”.
“How old are you?”
“Eleven.”
“Okay, well thank you for watching Henry, but you should have brought him back to the barn.”
“He was only playing with Alfie the cat.”
“Yes, but his mum was worried. You knew he was safe, his mum didn’t.”

“Didn’t think of that.”
We now arrived back the barn.
“Right, can you tell Mark that we’ve found Henry? You be careful with your exploring.”
“Okay, will do, thank you”. I watched him run back into the barn.

Exploring

Walking back to the tent, I reflected. When I was his age I loved exploring too. Many a weekend spent exploring new places and having new adventures. Freda has always been my sidekick, and we have been involved in some messes. The worst was when we had decided to visit a local farm on our bikes. We had been there a number of times but this day we had taken dares on riding down a steep slope and not using our brakes.

Yes, I went first and yes, I fell off. I scraped my arm and acquired a wound on my elbow which would not stop bleeding. Somehow Freda managed to alert the farmer and he had loaded our bikes onto his trailer and drove us to the hospital. I still have a scar where the hospital stitched the wound. I can still see the accident in my mind and feel the pain.

Understanding Michael’s reasons for exploring the campsite I was now relieved to find Freda alone drinking tea.
“They’ve all gone, wow I’m tired,” she said.
“Yes, so am I, sorry, I’m glad that we can get some peace now”.
“Tomorrow we rest, yes? Then the next day home.”
“ I fully agree.” Having made myself some tea I now sat down and stretched out.

The evening was drawing in and the stars were starting to appear in the sky. After a long conversation on Astronomy and Philosophy, we finally gave up on the day and went to sleep.

A visitor

The next morning as we were cooking breakfast, I had a surprise visitor. Looking up I could see him walking towards me.
“Ruby, you’ve pulled.”
“Yes, I know, but not sure about long distance.”
“It’s not that far, give the man a chance.”

“Hi Ruby, I just wanted to give you this”. He handed me his business card. I took it hastily and placed it in my pocket.
“Thank you, we are hoping to rest up today and then drive home in the morning. We are just needing a break right now.”
“Alright well maybe pop into the barn later, it would be nice to see you.” Freda sat smiling.
“It’s alright Mark, she will. We will be in later.” His face now beamed,
“I’m looking forward to it.” He walked off smiling.

“Freda, why did you say that?”
“He likes you and you deserve some fun.”
“What if he wants more than fun?”
“Find out first, he seems nice.”

Sitting back in my deckchair I started to eat my now going cold bacon Sandwich. It would be nice to be part of a couple, but men brought complications with them.

Mark

We spent our day resting and had an afternoon walk with Rex in the woods, and he enjoyed a paddle in the river.   We enjoyed the atmosphere of the beautiful countryside and the quaint village. Early evening, we took a walk to the barn and purchased two Coca Colas. Rex lay on the floor next to us with a bowl of water, enjoying the warm evening. Mark approached us and sat down.
“So, how far have you come to be here this weekend?”
“Only Kent, not too far.”
“My parents live in Kent, so I travel down there often, especially for weekend breaks.” My heart jumped, maybe long distance wouldn’t be so hard. Kent might be a big county but from where I am to Dartford is only an hour’s drive. I started thinking of Lakeside, then I told myself to stop overthinking this.

“Where are your parents?”
“Rochester.” Yes, about an hour away, but closer than the New Forest.
“So why are you here? I asked.
“I needed to get away and I fancied the peace and beauty of here. Rochester is a busy city.”
“True.” I can see the appeal of the beautiful countryside, I thought.

A date

My mind started plotting again, he likes the country and I live in the country.  I live closer to Rochester then he does and not to far to travel on a weekend, he might want to move one day. I told myself to stop the planning, I needed to get to know him first. Pulling out his business card I had another look. An amateur job, possibly made through Vistaprint, but he had his own website and there was his email address and telephone number.
“So, if I texted, you would you want to meet?”
“Of course, let me know, I can drive down any weekend, I just need to ask Paula to cover for me and all will be fine here, I can be flexible”.

I had not expected this, we had come here to help Freda and now I almost had a date.
“I will text you when I get back okay,” Mark smiled happily.
“Looking forward to getting to know you, Ruby, I’d best get back to work Paula is staring.” I turned my head towards the bar and saw the older lady at the bar watching us amused.
“I’m looking forward to it too, “ I said. I was excited to realise that I really was.

We spent the rest of the evening enjoying the atmosphere of the entertainment barn. Leaving at 9 pm we had decided we needed an early night as wanted to get home tomorrow by early afternoon.

Home

Packing the car the next day, I felt a little sad to be going home but excited at the prospect of keeping in touch with Mark.
“Come on then Ruby, time to go”.
Starting the engine we started to drive across the field, passing the entertainment barn, Mark was stood outside, I wound down my window.
“I’ll text you, okay, will see you soon.”
“Great, please do, don’t forget.”
“I won’t, bye”

Now driving away, I could see Rex’s head bobbing and Mark watching us leave in my rear view mirror, we had had a good weekend.
After a good journey, we were finally back in our home town. As we drove past the “Red Lion” I felt an urge to turn in.
“What are we doing here?”
“I need to check something.”

We walked into the pub and I checked the blackboard, as I thought James had written our names down to perform Tuesday night. It was now we heard shouting. It appeared that Rosie was still having problems with Freddie and her pregnancy. I stood there listening and thought. Oh, the complications of boys, I thought of Mark and a warm feeling went through me. What am I getting myself in to?

Written for Grammys Grid – first sentence prompt – Just as she thought nothing else could go wrong, the doorbell

For more see – Support of good friends and music – Ruby and Freda part 3

Playing the piano and feeling fulfilled – Ruby and Freda part 2

Summer breeze and a need for music – Ruby and Freda part 1