Sarah was well aware that there was a great deal to pack into one day, but having a leisurely breakfast and not being up early was a pleasant change.  The first stop was the specialist shop run by an ex-police friend of Al’s, where they could pick up a couple of cameras, and all the necessary bits and pieces to set up some decent security at Maggie’s house.  The storage unit would be next, and Al had put the back seats down in his car so that they could empty the unit – hopefully. Everything would be taken back to the house, there was time for a quick lunch, and then a visit to Jude and Dan’s, suitably loaded down with sweets and silly things for the girls.  The final stop of the day would be the dinner at Millie’s, cooked by Jiara.  Sarah was hoping that Tom and Jiara had taken to each other by then.

Al looked very content with two soft-boiled eggs in the much-loved comic egg cups – with buttered soldiers.  Two questions occurred to Sarah as she watched Al eating; they weren’t big issues but things that left her slightly perplexed nevertheless.  She got up and put her empty bowl and spoon in the dishwasher, and stood behind Al, her arms around his shoulders.  He stopped eating.

“What’s up?”

“What’s Al short for?”

“Alexander.  I never use it; and Maggie has given it to my nephew now.”

“Alexander the Great. No secrets, right?”

“I also have to confess that I am six feet, two and a half inches tall. Five and a half inches more and I’d be classified as an official giant. You know all my secrets now.”

Sarah shook her head, and sat down on the chair beside him with a very serious look on her face.

“Not quite. Even if I wasn’t your fiancée, I would be the first to admit that you are rather fit, Al.  You need to be, to do all that running after guests and knife-wielding maniacs.  You also enjoy your food, which is yet another thing I love about you.  What is your secret?”

Al laughed, and pulled her onto his lap.

“I confess, you’ve caught me out.  I do have a secret but it isn’t a guilty one.  We need to get dressed first though.”

Curiosity piqued, Sarah ran upstairs, threw off her nightshirt and pulled on some old clothes, with Al following very close behind her. She waited patiently back down in the kitchen while Al laced up his trainers.  He seemed to be taking an extremely long time, but she was determined not to nag. He was smiling as he stood up, and walked over to the kitchen door.

“Most of the time you’ve been here, it’s been dark or you’ve been – rather distracted?  So, you won’t have looked out at the back garden much?”

Sarah shook her head, and watched as Al took a key from a hook over the door.

“Come on, then.” he said as he opened the door and stepped down onto the path.  He took her hand and pointed to a large building at the end of the garden.

“I didn’t even know there was anything there!” she said.

“Welcome to my mancave!” said Al as he unlocked the door and turned on the light. “Until a couple of months ago I used to go to the gym after work, but I didn’t have an awful lot of spare time so I invested in some gear of my own.  I’ve been rather busy recently, but you are right, I need to stay fit in order to do my job properly amongst other things.”

Sarah wandered around, touching the various items of equipment, most of which were completely alien to her, and looked a bit scary. She sat down on a weight bench, and laughed.  Al sat next to her and took her hand.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“There are times when I feel that ten years of switching off from Andy’s comings and goings has left me rather ignorant and disinterested, or perhaps innocent?  He used to do mountain biking and even bought me a bike once, but it all seemed pretty hectic and I would only go out on it if it was a circular ride, and on the flat, so he sold it to a friend.  He had weights that he kept in the garage but I never saw him use them.  I suppose he worked out when I was at the office.  He was fairly fit, with all the gardening and climbing, but not hunky fit, like you are. I love your secret Al, and I love the fact that you shared it with me when I asked.  Will you teach me how to use some of it?  I quite like the idea of a bike that doesn’t go anywhere, and that you can get off when you’re fed up.”

“Hunky fit eh?  Never been called that before.  I will show you how to use the equipment, but only once your war wound has healed up.  No operating heavy machinery remember?”

“Talking of which, can we change the dressing before we go out? I’d like it to be as discreet as possible when we go to Jude’s.  Her girls are a bit younger than Maggie’s children and I don’t want to spook them. We’ll have to take more photos for Dan.  He’s fascinated by gruesome stuff.”

Al turned off the light and locked up the gym.  Sarah took the opportunity to look around the rest of the back garden; a large patio with the firepit and a barbecue, mostly laid to lawn with fruit trees and shrubs round the edges. Behind the gym there were three vegetable patches, with bamboo canes that brought back memories of her childhood garden, and her Dad’s runner beans and sweet peas. She hadn’t thought of it since her parents died, but it was a particularly poignant reminder, and she couldn’t stop herself from crying – again.  The ever-ready handkerchief was proffered, and Al led her back into the house, sat her down and got out the dressings pack.  He was extremely gentle as he took off the old dressing, and used warm water and cotton wool to clean the wound.

“It’s still healing up but there’s no sign of infection, and I think we can get away with cutting down the size of the dressing again.  How does it feel? Can you smile yet?”

“For you, yes.” said Sarah testing out a smile.  Her face felt stiff but not as sore as it had been.  “Does it look gruesome enough for Dan?”

“It will never look gruesome to me.  Do you want me to come to the hospital with you on Monday?”

“Oh, would you?  I could drive myself, but I might go wimpy if they take the stitches out.”

“You won’t, but I’d like to be there anyway so I can be complimented on my medical prowess.”

“Do you remember what we were talking about on our way down to the car on the night that Marta attacked me? You told me that you weren’t very good at romance and all that stuff.  I beg to differ.  No one has ever made me feel as special as you do.  I was thinking this morning at breakfast; Andy and I rarely ate together; he was always up earlier than me so I tended to stay in bed and watch the news until he’d gone.  If he was away and Jude came to stay, we used to chat and laugh, and when I moved in with Millie, breakfast was generally a happy, busy time.  With you, I get all the best bits of being with Jude and Millie, but you add another dimension, and I love it. You make me happy Al, and you are romantic even if you don’t think so.”

Al finished off the dressing, and kissed Sarah’s other cheek, before gathering her up in his arms and holding her very tight.

“I’d kind of given up on finding happiness after all this time.” he said as he kissed her neck. “I have a feeling that if we aren’t careful, we may find that we haven’t got quite as much time to do all the things that we need to do today.”

“That’s another thing.  Andy never made feel – well – interested in sex and being close to someone as you do.  Thank goodness for Amy Loomis.  I could have ended up in a right state if Steven had taken me to the Graduation Ball instead of her.  Will this feeling wear off do you think?”

“What, the fact that we can’t keep our hands off each other? I sincerely hope not.”

“Jude mentioned that too. Hold that thought for now.  Let’s go off to the shop to buy stuff that will keep Maggie and the children safe. Have you heard from her or the police this morning?”

“She texted me.  They are all okay. No more news of Bob from the police so far.”

“There’s just one more thing I need to get straight Al.”

“Go on.”

“I would offer to help pay for the security stuff for Maggie but I know you’d refuse, and I know why.  We will have to talk about money and bills eventually, and I want to pay my way.”

“We will.  You can pay for the storage fees then, and I won’t charge you for transport.”

“You strike a hard bargain.  Don’t let me forget to pick up some stuff for Jude’s girls after lunch.”

“I was about to say that you might find my friend’s shop a bit strange, but I’ve a feeling that you’ll find things there that will interest you.”

The children were looking out of the front room window, and started jumping up and down when they saw their Uncle Al park up on the driveway. Sarah took the food into the kitchen with Maggie, and left Al to sort out the sweets.  Maggie’s face still looked red and swollen, and she had obviously been crying, but trying not to let the children see.  Sarah gave her a big hug and had a good look at the damage.

“Lok on the bright side,” she said.  “My face looks a lot worse than yours.  What was the argument about?”

“He’d been drinking, and I wouldn’t let him take the kids out. He wasn’t due to take them out anyway; he just turned up and thought he could do whatever he wanted.”

“Have you done anything about access?”

“Not really.  We were supposed to be seeing a solicitor, but I can’t really afford it.”

“I know a wonderful solicitor.  He’s become a friend, and if he doesn’t do this kind of thing, he will find me someone who will. He has also just informed me that my ex has left me some money in his will, so Al and I can afford to help.  No! Don’t argue! I’d rather use the money this way than have it sit in a bank earning interest. Having you and the children made safe will make Al happy, and that’s what I want more than anything.”

Al popped his head around the kitchen door.  Maggie got up and hugged him while Sarah rummaged around in the cupboard, found baking trays and foil, and put the pizzas in the oven. Al sat Maggie down and very efficiently began to get details of what had actually happened, and when.  Sarah could see him getting angry again, and put her hand on his shoulder.

“Any attempt to leave this house and you’ll have me, Maggie and the children to contend with. Is there enough to get the police involved?”

Al looked up and forced a grin. “I know when I’m beaten.  I’ll give my mate a ring. If Bob’s been drinking, he’ll have headed back to his local to get some sympathy. The police might be able to wait until he leaves and nab him for drink driving. Can you take some pictures of Maggie’s face and send them over to me please?”

“Makes a change to be sending photos of someone else’s face!” said Sarah.

“Does it hurt much?” asked Maggie.

“Dr Al has been keeping an eye on it and changing the dressings every day.  I have to go back for a check up on Monday, after which I may be able to show off my war wound with pride – at least that’s what your brother says.”

Al had gone out into the hallway to make his call and came back looking slightly more cheerful.  Sarah blue-toothed the pictures over to his phone, and could see that Maggie was also looking relieved that Al was doing things via the police rather than with his fists.  Sarah dug out the list of objects in the storage unit and handed it to Maggie.

“With the exception of the little TV, everything on the list is up for grabs.  I don’t need it, and if you don’t want it, the charity shop will get it.”

“Are you sure?” said Maggie as she scanned the list. “There are loads of things on here that we could do with.  I don’t have much money though…”

“I would far rather you had it, and I don’t want any money for it.  It’s costing me a bomb to keep it in storage. Al and I are both working – at the moment anyway”

“I’m sorry.  All that you’ve been through, and now things have blown up here too.  Not much of a start for you and Al is it?”

“Al and I are fine – and this ring is absolutely beautiful.  Thank you so much, Maggie.  We’ve started talking about a wedding, but only generally. About the only definite thing is that whatever happens, my friend has three little girls, and with your four, we will have to kit out six bridesmaids, and a pageboy. I refuse to get married in a church or in white.  Totally inappropriate!  Talking of which, are we feeding the children too?”

“Well, they’d had their dinner earlier, but pizza is a bit of a magic word.” said Maggie, smiling at last.

“For me too. Will three pizzas be enough? 

Al bought big ones.”

“Plenty.  I’ve got some potato skins in the freezer.”

“Love them.  Are you really interested in some of this stuff on the list?  I won’t be offended if you don’t want it. Most of it is Andy’s stuff, and I put it in storage in case he needed it when he came back.  Except that he won’t ever come back now. Sorry Maggie. I’m still a bit leaky-eyed about it.”

“What happened?”

“It’s rather bitter-sweet really. He went off to Thailand to find himself, and he did.  He fell in love with the country, and met up with a friend who enjoyed climbing and exploring as much as he did. He’d made up his mind to live there permanently, and was looking forward to the house sale so that he could buy a new home in a place where he could be happy. During one of their climbs, Andy had an accident.  They got him to hospital, but he died later of his injuries.  His friend Shane contacted me to tell me what had happened, and then I had the letter from Andy’s solicitor about the will.  I felt so guilty at first but Al and my friend Millie gave me a good talking to.  Andy’s sister Abigail is going to explode when she finds out though; she absolutely hated me.”

“I hope I’ll be a better sister then.” said Maggie smiling and taking Sarah’s hand.

“Oh Maggie! You are streets ahead of her and always will be.  I’m sure she’ll try to contest the will but Simon – the solicitor – was an old friend of Andy’s and knows how horrendous Abigail is. In fact, she had a thing for him when she was a teenager and started stalking him.  He had to have a word with Andy about it. Simon was very kind to me, and I’m sure he’d be able to help you with access and stuff.”

Al came into the room with Alex clinging to his back.

“I hope Sarah’s talking some sense into you about formalising the access?”

“She has, and she says that you’ll both help me.”

“The police are checking out Bob’s local,” said Al.  “They want to know if you want to press charges about the assault.  Your word against his at the moment, I’m afraid.”

“I know.  He’s always been clever about doing things without a witness. If they can pick him up for drink driving tonight that will be a load off my mind.”

“I’ll let them know. You don’t want police round here as well tonight.  Is that pizza ready yet?  I’m starving.”

“Just putting the potato skins in, and then I’ll lay the table up.”

“You need more security here Maggie.  I’ll get some stuff while we’re out tomorrow and put it up on Sunday.  You okay with that Sarah?”

“Of course, and if you let me know what you want from the unit, we can bring that as well.”

“All of it.  There’s a young girl with a baby and a toddler who’s just moved in over the road.  She’s hardly got anything, and I’m sure she’d be grateful for some of this stuff.  Would that be alright Sarah?”

“I’d like that very much.  Where are the plates and cutlery?  That pizza smells about ready.”

Despite the horrendous start to the evening, it ended well and there was plenty to eat, even once the children had descended like locusts.  Al went round and checked all the windows and doors were securely locked, before hugging the children and Maggie goodnight.  Sarah gave Maggie an especially long hug when she whispered in Sarah’s ear, “I am so glad that you’re a part of our family now.”

“Me too.” said Sarah.

Al was more quiet than usual on the way back home.

“Okay.  Tell me what’s bugging you?” Sarah asked, putting a hand on his thigh.  He smiled.

“I was just thinking that other people must have much less eventful lives than us.”

“We seem to be very good at rising above it though.  Are you having second thoughts?”

“About you and me?  Never.  Are you sure that you want to spend some of your money helping Maggie and the kids though? They are my responsibility after all.”

“I can’t think of a better way of spending it.  Andy was always up for good causes, although they were mostly environmental and animal-based. I can’t think of a better one than Maggie.  I told Maggie about awful Abigail.  I think I’m getting a real bargain in terms of acquiring a new sister, three nieces and a nephew – and you of course.”

“How do you fancy watching TV and sharing that tiramisu when we get in?”

“I love the idea and just think, tomorrow night we can lie in bed and fall asleep watching my little TV.”

“With a remote. Then I don’t have to get out of bed to turn it off if we haven’t fallen asleep.”

“Al! Whatever are you suggesting?”

Al grinned.