The Stranger Next Door by Miranda Barnes

lettuce either.'
    Anna laughed. 'Me thinks you protesteth too much!'
    'Probably.'
    'Oh, I nearly forgot. I've invited Daniel round for the meal, as well. Hope you don't mind?'
    'Of course not. The mystery man from next-door, eh? I'll look forward to meeting him at last.'
    'If he comes. I don't think he will, though.'
    'Oh?'
    'It's not certain anyway. He says he's busy, but I don't know what with. Lisa thinks he's just shy.'
    'Force him to come. I want to hear all about midnight gardening, and the rest of it.'
    Anna smiled. She hoped she was doing the right thing. She didn't want Pippa making fun of Daniel all night – if he came.
    'Things must be better between you, if it's got to this stage?' Pippa suggested.
    Anna could feel herself blushing. 'You can just get that twinkle out of your eye, Pippa! I know what you're thinking. Daniel's my neighbour. That's all. There's nothing going on.'
    'That's a pity.'
    Pippa started laughing. After a moment, reluctantly, Anna joined in.
    'Seriously, though,' Pippa added, 'how are you getting on with him?'
    'Very well, now. He's a nice man. He's helping me get some driving practice, apart from anything else.'
    'Oh?'
    'It's good for both of us, I think.'
    She went on to explain how and why Daniel was so shy and reclusive, and how she had been trying to get him out of the house more.
    'So it's his face he's worried about?'
    'Yes. He's still recovering from other injuries, as well. More serious ones, actually. Lung damage, for example. But he's worried that his facial disfigurement will make people stare at him. And perhaps frighten them, especially children.' She paused and added, 'I think he just hates how he looks now.'
    'Is it really bad?'
    'Well …. To be honest, Pippa, I suppose it is. On one side, anyway. But I'm used to it now. So are the children. We don't notice it any more.'
    'Does it bother Lisa and Tom?'
    'No.' She shook her head. 'They like him a lot. So do I, actually. He's a good man. A brave one, too.'
    'What about his other injuries?'
    'As I said, he's recovering from them. Getting stronger every day. He has to be. We drag him up and down the hill to the shops every day!'
    Pippa laughed and shook her head. 'You're doing very well, then, Anna.'
    'Me?'
    'You and the children. Seeing him. Taking him down to the village. It's the best thing that could have happened to him. To you, too, probably. You needed a friend next door as much as he did.'
    Anna wasn't sure what Pippa meant at first but later she realised there was something in what she'd said. They were all helping each other, which was as it should be.
    Pippa gasped and her hand flew to her face as soon as she saw the new kitchen. 'It's wonderful,' she said with astonishment. 'Oh, my goodness!'
    Anna smiled and didn't even bother to agree.
    Pippa spun round. 'Derek, we're setting fire to our kitchen as soon as we get home. I want one of these!'
    'It makes you think, doesn't it?' Derek looked round appreciatively. 'Mind you, there was a bit of hassle involved in getting this one. Could you put up with that, my dear?'
    'Easily,' Pippa said, giving Anna a wink.
    'It has worked out well, in the end, I suppose,' Anna admitted. 'But it's been a dangerous way to go about it. If you really want a new kitchen, Pippa, I'd advise you to get it a more conventional way.'
    'But then I'd have to pay for it, instead of the insurance, wouldn't I? Oh, life is so unfair!'
    'That's enough from you,' Derek said sternly. 'Sit down and behave yourself. Anyone would think you never got anything new.'
    'Well ….' Pippa reflected, head on one side. 'I suppose you did buy me some flowers the other week.'
    'There you are, then.'
    Pippa grinned and turned back to Anna. 'You have had a terrible time, though, haven't you? Are you over it now?'
    'I think so.'
    'And what about … Daniel? Has he recovered from the fire?'
    'I'm not sure. He says he has. I hope he has.' Anna glanced at the clock. 'It looks as though he won't make it. We'd better make a