Free Wishes and Tears by Dee Williams

card and a small present.
    â€˜This is lovely. Thank you.’
    â€˜It’s only a box of hankies, but they do have your initial on them.’
    â€˜Thank you. That’s very kind of you. But you’re taking me to London, I didn’t expect anything else.’
    Although he had lost some of his tan, when he smiled his dark complexion still offset his even white teeth.
    â€˜Don’t worry about it. Ready?’
    Janet nodded.
    They said their goodbyes and left.
    On the train Janet remembered her last journey to London. She quickly smiled across at Mark. She wasn’t going to let those sad memories spoil today.
    By the time they left Kennington underground station it was almost lunchtime. They arrived at a gap in the houses that had a hand-painted sign on two poles announcing ‘Danny’s Used Cars’.
    â€˜Is this it?’ asked Janet, looking at the row of highly polished cars.
    â€˜Looks like it.’
    â€˜But it’s only a cleared bomb sight.’
    â€˜Most of these places are, unless you’ve got enough money for a real posh showroom.’
    They made their way to the shed at the far end and Mark knocked on the door.
    â€˜It’s open.’
    When Mark stepped inside Danny looked up from his desk and for a moment said nothing. Suddenly he jumped to his feet. ‘Well, I’ll be buggered. Me old mate Mark.’ He clasped Mark to him. ‘How are you then, me old mucker?’ He gave him a light punch on his arm. ‘It’s good to see you.’
    Janet followed Mark into the tiny office and the heat from the electric fire was overpowering. Through the haze of cigarette smoke she saw that Danny was a few years older than Mark. He had a thin moustache, dark hair and flashing blue eyes. He was good-looking in a David Niven sort of way, slightly taller than Mark, and his very expensive-looking suit was well cut. Hanging over the back of his chair was a tan-coloured sheepskin jacket.
    â€˜This is Janet,’ said Mark, turning towards her.
    â€˜Pleased to meet you, I’m sure. You two walking out then?’ He grinned and winked at Janet.
    â€˜No, we’re just friends.’
    â€˜Oh yes. Look, take a seat.’ He pointed to a chair behind the desk.
    Janet sat down. The desk was strewn with papers, a couple of empty cigarette packets, and an overflowing ashtray.
    â€˜So how’s things?’ asked Mark quickly.
    â€˜Mustn’t grumble. What you doing up this way? Come to see if it’s worth your while putting a few bob in the business then?’
    â€˜Still thinking about it.’
    â€˜I could do with your expertise up here.’ He turned to Janet and, still holding a cigarette between his nicotine-stained fingers, pointed at Mark. ‘Did you know this bloke is one of the best mechanics in the business? Half the army trucks wouldn’t have got off the ground if it wasn’t for this clever sod here.’
    Mark looked embarrassed. ‘I was only doing my job.’
    â€˜Yes, I could definitely do with someone like you.’ Danny bent his head closer. ‘Have to clock a few of ’em sometimes and patch up a lot of the others. You could earn yourself a fortune up here.’
    â€˜I’ll have to think about it.’
    â€˜Honest, Mark, I’d like you to give it a bit of thought. You can always stay with me till you make up your mind, see how the business is run.’
    â€˜Where do you live then?’
    â€˜Just up the road, got a couple of rooms. It ain’t exactly the Ritz - in fact it’s really a bit of a dump - but it’ll do for now. Places are bloody hard to get round here, and they cost a bomb, and you have to find a packet in key money. But don’t let me put you off. I can always put the word round - that’s if you decide to stay.’
    â€˜I really will have to think about it,’ said Mark seriously.
    â€˜So what you doing round this way