‘I’m not sure . . .’ began Pip. ‘She’s been a bit, well, she’s only recently started going out and . . .’
‘She’s never got that agoraphobia. A mate of mine had that. Shocking condition. Poor Evelyn.’
Pip smiled as she tried to get a word in edgeways. Ted seemed to be exactly as the diary had described him. ‘No, not agoraphobia as such. But things had got a bit on top of her. She’s getting better now, but I’m not sure she’s ready for a long trip.’
There was another silence whilst Ted thought. ‘Well, you come up with a way of getting her down here and I’ll be there like a shot. I can’t believe we let things drift like we have. We were best buddies, back in the day. You send her my very best regards, won’t you? Right, got to go now. Mum’s calling. Nice to talk to you. What did you say your name was? Pip Appleby. What a fabulous name! Your parents must have been super-smart to come up with that. Cheerio.’
And then he was gone.
What a breath of fresh air he was, Pip thought. He was exactly what Evelyn needed.
50
Pip and Evelyn stood in the middle of Liverpool Street station as what felt like the whole of London bustled around them. Evelyn couldn’t believe there were so many people. They swarmed everywhere, popping up out of tunnels and shops and disappearing over bridges. She could barely see any space that didn’t have people in it. Had London been as busy as this when she had lived here? It was hard to recall, but she supposed it must have been similar. She had just grown unaccustomed to crowds. It was exhilarating, though, to be in the presence of so much humanity, and she stood open-mouthed in wonder.
Pip, however, looked to be enjoying herself less. She had become very pale since they had got off the train, and her face looked clammy. Her eyes skittered about like a frightened animal’s, as if she didn’t know which way to run.
Evelyn decided she must take control. ‘Well, if I remember correctly,’ she said, trying to sound confident, ‘then it’s a hop along to the Northern Line and then straight up to Kentish Town. You might need to help me with the ticket though, Pip. Those barriers look terribly aggressive.’
She took Pip’s arm and led her towards the sign saying Underground. Pip followed, compliant as a child. Evelyn began to worry. She could really do with Pip snapping out of it. When she had agreed to make the trip to see Ted, she had done so on the basis that Pip would look after her. She hadn’t anticipated it turning out to be the other way round.
But as they walked along, jostled by the crowds of commuters, Pip seemed to find her feet and the colour began to return to her cheeks.
‘I’d forgotten,’ she said. ‘Isn’t that strange? I’d forgotten what it’s like.’
‘That’s not so very strange,’ said Evelyn in a reassuring tone. ‘You’ve been gone eight months and you’d struggle to find many places quieter than Southwold in the winter, certainly when compared to this.’ She gestured with her arms at the crowds and accidentally hit a man on his chest. He scowled at her and Evelyn laughed. ‘Oh, come on. Let’s get out of here and go and find darling Ted.’
Ted had told them that their café was now a fried-chicken place, and so they had opted for a Costa Coffee over the road. Pip pushed open the door and immediately Evelyn started scanning the tables for her friend. She saw him at once. His hair was white now and not toffee-coloured, but his eyes still sparkled and his smile was just the same. Evelyn had fretted that he wouldn’t recognise her, but it was immediately apparent that she had been worrying for no reason.
‘Evelyn Mountcastle as I live and breathe,’ he said, standing up and waving his arms as if he were blessing the café. Everybody turned to see what the commotion was about, and then immediately turned back in case they made eye contact with the strangely behaving man.
‘Ted!’ said Evelyn. ‘Oh, Ted.’
She rushed across to him and they stood, staring at one another, shaking heads and smiling.
‘Just look at you,’ she said. ‘You haven’t changed a bit.’
Ted patted his stomach sheepishly. ‘Not sure I had this last time I saw you,’ he said. ‘But it’s all bought and paid for. You look great, Evie. Absolutely tip-top. Now, how long’s it been? I was trying to do the maths but it seemed like a ridiculously long time, so I gave up.’
‘I think it must be about thirty-five years,’ said Evelyn.
‘Unbelievable,’ said Ted. ‘And that must be Miss Pip Appleby,’ he added, looking over at Pip.