Entry F2 part 1
Discovering Yellow?
The course notes seemed as comprehensive as ever, and the course speakers as tedious. So he wouldn’t listen, and take the papers home for reference to compensate. Now it seemed acceptable to not concentrate, and find entertainment elsewhere. He could also easily support that reasoning. Why should he? He hadn’t actually eaten anything.
The bar was busy, but his attention overruled by the girl sitting in his chair. He felt as if he had been in her company before, but not the office. He recognised her delicate features, and possibly the drape of her shoulder length blonde hair. Not the sort of blonde that comes from a bottle; a subtle shade, kissed by the sun. He searched his memories for an inkling of where this deja vous might fit in.
He knew her name should be on her notes. He raised himself out of his seat as best he could, without making any obvious moves; glimpsing over her shoulder. He could make it out. Ms.Amber. Ms Amber Thoms.
“Well its goodnight from me” “and its goodnight from him” came over the PA. A muffled excuse for laughter came from the audience. The company retired, with clattering chairs, an undercurrent of chit chat, and coats pulled from chairbacks with gusto as everyone tried to hurriedly avoid the exit queue.
It marked the end of his blissful ignorance and he rose, deciding to approach Amber, racking his mind for a sensible opener. Not one from his distant past, one that would be suited to his age, and status. He was still without words when he caught her eye again.
“Hi” she said “I’m Amber. Nice to meet you. Sorry I stole your chair. You will be pleased to know though, you didn’t miss much” “Right” he replied “I’m Patr...” She interrupted “Pleased to meet you, Pat. I ought to go though, I had problems with my car coming here” He hesitated “OK” he said, and she was gone.
Pat couldn’t believe it. Why had he let it happen? He was never lost for words. Never.
As he left the drizzle had developed into full blown cats and dogs. His coat was in the car but, head down, decided he might as well go for it, get home and make his long overdue snack.
As he approached his car he could hear the churning noise of a desperate engine. Turning toward the sound, he once again saw those steely eyes looking at him. This time from a drivers’ seat. Amber opened her door. “Please? Do you know anything about these things?” He was about to ask, when she pre-empted his question “ No, I’ve got no breakdown cover. I know. I should. I did, but it’s a long story”
“Not sure they’d want you” he quipped back, winking.
Pat jumped in “Let me see what I can do. Get in, you are soaked, have you got a coat?” “ Yes” she said, dripping, “But I think it’s a bit late for that now don’t you”. “ Mmmm” he replied.
Pat checked briefly, sure it was the leads. “I’ll have to go home. I don’t live far away. Are you happy with that, or would you prefer we call a garage? ”
“ Yes, please, if its not too much trouble.” Amber replied
“ No trouble at all. Would you be happy to come back with me? You could change and dry off. There’s bound to be something in the house you can wear. Something of Annie’s’ or” he faltered “Finna’s’”
“I would prefer not to stay here on my own. If you really don’t mind”. They jumped into his Audi. It started first time.
“Who are Annie and Finna?” Amber enquired
“ Oh, Annie is my Housekeeper, Finna is, well was, my wife. She died, some years ago now”. The tears were there, but always remained hidden in public now.
“Oh, I am ....” Pat stopped her in her difficult tracks. “Honestly, no problem, you were not to know. Let me change the subject. Amber’s a pretty name, unusual too. Reminiscent of Hawaiian Islands”
Amber laughed. “I wish. Nothing nearly as romantic I am afraid. When I was born, I was jaundiced. My father looked at me, and said...golly, she’s yellow! Mum was amused, and apparently replied yes, she is, but as you will have to walk her down the aisle and give her away, wouldn’t you prefer a more subtle hue, Amber, say? I reckon they were always going to name me Amber, and the story’s been exaggerated over the years. Dad tells everyone though, and it even gave rise to my nickname, so I say nothing. Don’t like to ruin his party piece”. Amber smiled.
The car came to a halt. “Here we are”, Pat said, stopping at the door. “You take the house keys. Annie often stays over at her Mums’ on a Thursday. I’ll go to the garage, sort the bits I need, then I’ll be in. You’ll be wanting to change out of those wet things. Just go upstairs, take the second on your left. That’s my den. Ignore the mess. Just walk straight through, to the dressing room. You want the left rail, toward the far end. There you’ll find some of Finna’s things. Something should fit, I’m sure”.
Amber jumped from seat to porch, turned the key and was soon out of sight.
As Pat gathered together his workbox, he seemed more relaxed than he had in years. Admitting it though might be a very different matter. He returned quickly to the house.
“Amber, have you found all you need?” Pat shouted up the stairs. “Yes, I’m fine” she called down “but, I couldn’t…” “Couldn’t what?” he said, looking up.
“Sorry, this was on your butler. She, I mean, Finna, had some lovely things but well, I just couldn’t”.
“Did you see the red dress?” Pat enquired “The embroidered one?”
“Yes, Yes, I did. It’s lovely”
“Well, I was hop...”
Amber stopped him. “Please” she said “There are at least two good reasons not to. One. They are your memories. Yours, and hers.” He nodded. “and Two, in this weather, a short, red, silk dress. Not very practical, do you think?”
“No”, he said, blushing, “not practical at all, but..” looking at her with a wide grin, “nor’s that really”. They both looked. She was dressed now in his oversized office shirt. Broad smiles grew across their faces, and they fell into stitches.
Pat sobered himself “A drink first?, or shall we dress you properly and go back to fix your jalopy?” “I’m not in any special hurry, a drink would be nice” Amber replied. So Pat pointed through the lounge.... “alcohol right, kitchen left” Amber decided on a small short of some description, and opened the cabinet. “Can I have a brandy?” she asked. “Of course, pour two”, and they settled on the sofa. She nattering, he listening.
With a jar, Pat suddenly realised they had enjoyed five minutes of relaxed silence. Amber had fallen asleep, and in her doze dropped to his lap. As she lay there he recognised her - Yellie Thoms. He couldn’t believe it, of course, Yellie Thoms.