Free The Stranger Next Door by Miranda Barnes Page A

resumed her driving lessons. Her instructor assured her she would soon be joining the race to the supermarkets in the nearby town.
    'You've got the date for your practical test, Anna. You shouldn't have any difficulty. It's a little way off yet. So what you need to do is get some more practice in. Just get more used to the everyday business of being on the road.'
    Anna shivered with anticipation. On the road? That sounded wonderful, if still distant.
    'OK?'
    'Yes,' she said dubiously, wondering how she could get some more practice in.
    'With practice,' Kenny intoned solemnly, 'folk become more relaxed, and good drivers are relaxed at the wheel. Alert but relaxed.'
    'Yes?' she said again, smiling and thinking it was like being back in school, having someone talking to her like this.
    Kenny meant well, though. She knew that. It was just that there were practical matters for her to consider, and practical problems to be overcome.
    'Have you got someone who can spend a bit of time with you, while you drive around?'
    'Maybe,' she said, thinking there were two of the big practical problems, right there.
    'That's good,' he said with approval. 'That's all you need.'
    She needed someone to drive with her, and someone to look after Lisa and Tom. Two problems. Pippa and Derek, of course. But there were limits as to how much she could put on them. Another possibility came to mind but she needed to think that through a bit more. She couldn't just ask – or could she?
    'If I could drive, I wouldn't have to toil up and down the hill every time I need a loaf of bread.'
    'I wondered about that,' Daniel said. 'You don't drive?'
    'Not yet, no. It didn't seem necessary when my husband was alive. Rather, I never got round to it. That's more like it. But I'm learning,' she added. 'And once I have my licence, I'll be able to think about a part-time job. That's another thing.'
    'Good for you. When's your test?'
    'Soon. Too soon! I need more practice.'
    'Do you need someone to go out with you?'
    She looked at him, smiled and nodded. 'Yes, please!'
    *
    The day came, surprisingly quickly, when the new kitchen was finished. It was a palace, compared to the old one.
    'Oh, Mum!' Lisa breathed. 'It's lovely.'
    'It is, isn't it? We're very lucky.'
    She gazed around with happy astonishment. The kitchen was long and narrow still, but its shape was all that was left to remind them of the old kitchen. Close to the connecting door there was a cooker and hob on one side, and a double sink with a window on the other. At the far end was a breakfasting area they would probably use for most of their meals. It had windows on three sides, and was so light and airy Anna had already decided to have blinds fitted. Otherwise, on a sunny day, it would be like sitting in a greenhouse.
    Tom had disappeared for a moment. Now he re-appeared, clutching two of his best cars to try out on the tiled floor.
    'The far end, Tom, please!' Anna laughed. 'Up here, I'll fall over them.'
    Not to be outdone, Lisa brought her colouring book to try out on the new table.
    Next, Anna thought happily, I'm going to invite Pippa and Derek for a meal. And I'll ask Daniel, too. It's time they all met properly, and time I gave something back to thank them for what they've done for us.
    'Thank you, Anna. But I can't, I'm afraid.'
    'Why ever not?'
    'I'm too busy.'
    'Too busy?'
    'Yes.'
    Too busy? A likely story!
    Stop! she told herself. Stop before you go too far and ask him what he's busy with.
    'Pippa and Derek are the friends the children and I stayed with in the village. You actually met Derek, I think. Briefly.'
    He nodded.
    'I thought it would be nice to have you all round to celebrate the opening of the new kitchen. Another time, perhaps, in your case, Daniel. But if your plans change …. Tomorrow night – about six-thirty? I know it's early, but there's the children. They'd want to see everyone before they go to bed.'
    He smiled but she could see he wasn't persuaded. 'I'll have to see,' was