Alice
slowly ran her finger down the list of contents in the book. Usually she looked
forward to her lunch break. It was a time when she could take a book from the
shelves of the library where she worked and lose herself in the pages.
A book from the adventure section might take her in search of buried
treasure on some small deserted island, or bring her into conflict with the
raging waters of the Colorado River as it rushed through the Grand Canyon.
But it was the travel section that really interested her. There was no
limit to the wonderful places she could visit without moving from her quiet
corner in the library.
Today however, Alice found that even the lure of a sun-drenched beach on
a Caribbean Island could do nothing to help her present mood and she shut her
book with a loud snap.
“Oh, there you are.”
Alice jumped at the sound of the voice. She hadn’t heard
anyone come into the library. Usually the bell above the door rang so loudly
that even when lost in the Amazon, she heard it jangling. But today, she had
heard nothing.
“I’m sorry if
I disturbed you,” the voice continued. “But the girl on the desk said you
would know where I could find something to help me with my research on... I say,
you’re not thinking of going there are you? You’re a lucky lady.”
Alice looked up at the man in front of her. Her mind flew back to a few
weeks ago when Anne, the part-time girl who covered the lunch period, had helped
him fill in the enrolment form. “A real gentleman,” she had said over a cup
of tea. “You don’t meet many like that these days.”
Alice reckoned he must be about her age... or perhaps a little older. But
his smart clothes and his hair, greying at the temples, gave him a rather
distinguished look.
“May I?” he asked, interrupting her thoughts. He pointed towards the
book.
She nodded and watched him as he flicked through the pages.
“Yes, it looks very nice. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your stay on the
island,” he said, handing the book back to her.
“No. You don’t understand. I’m not going there,” said Alice.
“Not at my time of life. I simply enjoy spending my lunch break reading about
all those faraway places. ”
“What do you mean, at your time of life?” said the gentleman sitting
down beside her. “A young woman like you should get out there and see the
world.”
Alice laughed. “You’re a flatterer, I’ll say that for you. But
thank you all the same.” Many years had passed since anyone had called her a
young woman.
She looked down at the book. “No, I don’t think I would like travel
that far now.” She blushed. “To tell you the truth, I’ve never flown
before and I really don’t think I want to try it at this stage.”
“But you must have gone off on holiday when you were...”
“Younger?” Alice interrupted.
“I was going to say, growing up.”
“I see.” She looked away. “No, back then times were hard. We
didn’t have money for foreign holidays. Then when Dad was killed in an
accident, Mum took a stroke. She was never the same again. I spent most of my
life
looking after her. She relied on me totally. She only died last year.” Alice
fell silent. She hadn’t meant to say so much.
“I see,” said the gentleman. “What about your husband, wasn’t he
able to help you? By the way, my name is George Wilkes, I only moved into the
area a few weeks ago.
“I’m Alice Harper and I’ve lived in this town all my life. I
thought you must be a newcomer. I know most of the people in the town. And I’m
not married; never had the opportunity to meet young men.” She paused. “But
I mustn’t keep you. What book did you say you were looking for?” She made as
if to stand up.
“Forget about the book, you’re on your lunch break. I shouldn’t
have disturbed you.” He pushed Alice’s travel book towards her. “I’ll
leave you to read in peace.”
“I wasn’t actually reading it. I feel rather restless
today and I don’t know why...” She broke off and suddenly thumped her fist
on the table, making George jump. “Yes I do know. I’m bored with my life.”
Seeing George glance at the book she added. “Oh, I don’t want to go off to
the Caribbean, or anywhere fancy like that, but I would like to do something
different. My life is as mundane as... as...”
She glanced out of the window. “That number fifty-seven bus outside.”
George turned to look out of the window. Sure enough, there was a number
fifty-seven bus parked at the bus stop.
Alice burst out laughing. “You must think I’m crazy.”
“No I don’t. It’s good for everyone to let off a little steam now
and again.” He paused. “But what I can’t understand is, why the number
fifty-seven bus?”
“Because that poor old bus is the Town Service and spends all day and
every day running around the town.” She laughed. “It brings me here in the
morning and then takes me home again in the evening. In between it does the same
route over and over again. Like me it never gets a change. Never gets a chance
to go anywhere different.”
Alice looked away. “Now you’ll think I’m crazy.”
“No I don’t,” said George slowly. “It’s just never really
thought of it like that before. But what gives you the idea that buses have the
ability to understand what they are doing? They’re only machines; made up from
metal.”
“That’s true, but all these metal parts are put together by
people,” said Alice defiantly. She wished she hadn’t got into this
conversation, but now that she had, she was going to make a stand for the bus.
“Surely, some of the thoughts, aspirations and frustrations of these people
could have found the way into each small part as it was being created.”
George looked interested. “I see what you’re getting at – I
think.”
“Of course you do.” Alice was on a roll and determined to make her
point. “The happiness or sadness of people is transferred to other humans and
animals and, according to gardeners, even plants. So why not machines, or the
like?
“Well, I’ve got to say I’ve never thought of it like that
before,” said George.
“Well it certainly gives you something to think about doesn’t it?”
said Alice. “And if that bus could speak it would tell you that once in a
while it would like to do something different.”
“A bit like Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang?” asked George, grinning.
They looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“You really had me going there,” said George. “For a moment I
thought you were going to stand outside with a banner reading, ‘Fair Deal for
Buses’.”
“Not all buses, just the number fifty-seven,” said Alice, grinning.
After that they got into deep conversation and the time simply flew by.
It was only when the church clock chimed that Alice jumped to her feet. “My
goodness is it that the time already?” Her lunch break had finished fifteen
minutes ago. She hurried down to the front desk, where Anne was stamping a
customer’s book.
“You’d better get off home now. I’m sorry, but I completely forgot
the time.”
Once Anne had left, Alice offered to help George find the book he came in
for.
“The book? Oh yes, the book. You know I’d almost forgotten about
that. I want to look up my family tree and was wondering if there was something
in the library to help with my research.”
Alice went to a shelf and brought back a heavy old book. “I’m sure
this one will get you started. Another customer was doing the same thing last
year and I know he borrowed this one. He found it useful.”
“Thank you, Alice. I must say I’ve enjoyed our little chat today.
Perhaps you would let me take you out to lunch one day.”
“That would be very nice George.” She wanted to add, ‘I shall look
forward to it’, but held back. He might not really mean it and besides, it
wouldn’t do to sound too eager.
Nevertheless Alice felt much brighter that afternoon and whether George
took her to lunch or not, at least she had enjoyed his company for a short
while. He had been a good listener.
That evening the number fifty-seven bus came along on time just as it
always did. She smiled to herself as she climbed on board. It was only through
talking about the bus that she and George had got on so well.
But though Alice looked out for him over the next week, he didn’t come
into the library. She reminded herself that the book he had borrowed was very
thick and would take a while to read. Nevertheless it would have been nice if he
had popped in to let her know how he was getting on.
Today was her day off. If he went into the library this morning, she
wouldn’t be there. Was that what he was waiting for? Had he changed his mind
about taking her to lunch? People often say things they later regret.
Usually her day off was spent cleaning around the house and doing her
weekly shop. “My life is so predictable,” she murmured as she stepped into
the shower. “I could set a watch by my actions.”
However, just as she was combing her hair, the sound of a vehicle pulling
up outside caused her look out of the window. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief
at the sight before her. For there parked at front gate was the number
fifty-seven bus. The driver honked his horn just as George stepped down onto the
pavement.
Alice ran downstairs and out of the front door. “What on earth is going
on?” she asked. “The bus stop is in the next street.”
“I’ve come to take you out for the day,” said George. “It
occurred to me that your lunch break wouldn’t be long enough for us to get to
know each other properly, so I thought a day trip to the coast would be
better.” He turned towards the bus, his eyes twinkling. “And knowing how you
feel about this bus, I thought you might like to take it with us. I’ve even
hired the driver for the day. What do you think, Alice? Will you come?”
Laughing, Alice ran across to the bus and ran her fingers down the handle
on the door. “It really is the old number fifty-seven bus! I’d know it
anywhere from the distinctive scratches under the handle. I think it’s the
craziest, but most wonderful thing anyone has ever done for me. How did you know
it was my day off?”
“I made it my business to find out. Now, will you come?”
“Of course I’ll come!” she replied, tears running down her cheeks.
“You don’t think I’d turn down the first exciting thing to happen to me in
years, do you? I’ll get my coat.”
Alice couldn’t remember ever having such a lovely day. George had
pre-booked a table for lunch in one of the most prestigious hotels on the
sea-front. Then after lunch, they walked along the beach to the lighthouse,
talking and laughing like a couple of teenagers. She was most disappointed when
darkness fell and it was time to board the bus and return home.
As the bus trundled along the country roads towards the town, George
slipped his hand in hers. “I’ve so enjoyed your company Alice. I do hope
you’ll agree to let me take you out again.”
“Of course I will. I’ve had wonderful day.” She paused and laughed.
“And I’m sure the bus has as well.”
By the time the bus reached Alice’s house, George had asked her out to
dinner the following evening and was also talking about visiting the theatre
another night.
She felt as though she was caught up in a whirlwind. Her life had taken a whole
new turning and was going in a direction she had never thought possible,
especially at her age.
Alice gave the bus a pat as it pulled away from the kerb. She blushed
when she saw George watching her.
“I know it may seem silly to you, George,” she said. “But I believe
the number fifty-seven bus has played a large part in my newfound happiness.”
He took her hand. “In our newfound happiness,” he corrected her.
“And I couldn’t agree more.”
The End.