Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
“ B rilliant, Grace,” Warren said. “Are you sure you haven’t played much before?”
“Last week was the first time,” she said. “Although I was good at netball!”
“The height helps. Especially as you’re able to stand closer to the board, being a woman.” He turned around and saw Nina smiling at him as she sipped her drink. “Hi,” he said. He didn’t want to get over friendly with her, he got the impression that after lunch the day before she thought he was going to ask her out on a date or something, as she’d disappeared in a rush and suggested he ask Katie out. That was something he had no plans to do.
He collected the darts from Grace as Nina approached him. He smiled at her “Are you here to try out for the team?”
“Oh no, I’m useless with spatial awareness!”
“Go on,” Jaz said and pulled her arm.
Nina shot him a smile that his body reacted to. She brushed his hand as she took the darts and handed him her drink. It felt cool in his now warm hand.
He gestured at the board. “Focus on…”
Nina threw the first dart before he could finish. It bounced off the board to the floor. The second was about an inch away from the scoring spaces and the third hit the surround.
“She’s better than me,” Reverend Stephens said with a laugh.
Nina returned the darts to Warren. “I told you.”
“I guess you can’t have it all,” he said. “Looks, personality, intelligence and be a killer darts player.” He gulped; he didn’t usually deliver lines like that. It sounded a bit like he was coming on to her.
To his relief Nina grinned at him. “No one’s perfect.”
“Let’s break off,” Jaz said, looking at them both with her eyebrows raised. “Then we’ll have the practice match. I’ll work out who’s playing who.”
Warren led Nina to a table and they sat down together.
“I didn’t expect to see you here this evening,” he said.
“I needed to get out. I’ve stayed at home long enough.”
“I guess going back home to your parents is tricky.”
“They’re amazing to me, I can’t fault them, but living with them when I’m thirty-seven is not ideal!”
He clocked again that she had thrown her age into the conversation.
“Jaz has said I can stay here, upstairs.”
“You’ll be in Eversley?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe you can come to the farm for dinner. We have a meal every Monday evening, then I come back here with Jaz for the darts training.”
“Ah, so that’s where you hear all my gossip?”
He laughed. “I’ve been fully initiated into village life.”
“There are no secrets here.”
“No,” Warren said, even though he had a few himself – and a big one. He thought about Scottie, hoping he’d got the message that Warren wanted to distance himself by the fact that he never returned his calls.
“That’ll be nice, but I’m eating for two, they might not have enough food.”
“It won’t be a problem, you should see the amount of food dished up! Val and Len usually go home with leftovers for their freezer.”
Nina looked around. “Oh, I sensed him,” she laughed. “My dad’s arrived he’s lurking by the bar.”
“Nina,” Rob said as he approached the table. “Jaz told me you’re moving in upstairs?”
“Yes.” She shot a glance at her father. “But I’ve not told Dad yet.”
“Oh, okay.” Rob lowered his voice. “When are you moving in?”
“At the weekend.”
“I’ll help you take your stuff up there.”
“Thanks.”
Rob left as someone called him to the bar.
“I’d help too,” Warren said. “But I’m off to Nick and Jane’s on Thursday.”
“Oh yes, it’s their wedding. I hope it goes well, she looked lovely in her dress.”
“Come on you lot, it’s time for your games, and play it like it matters,” Jaz called out.
“Sorry I’m late,” Katie said breathlessly as she entered the pub and walked up to Warren at the table.
Warren looked up as she gave him a kiss on the cheek, which was a surprise to him. She didn’t usually greet him in that way.
“Oh, hi Nina. Are you here to play?” Katie asked.
“No, just watching.”
“I like to encourage the lads.” She gave Warren a big grin, and he was worried that it looked as if she was there just to see him and that he had, as Nina had suggested, asked her out. He’d certainly picked up the odd signal that Katie liked him. And Nina wasn’t the first person to suggest he ask her on a date. He looked across to Nina as she stood up from the table. He knew that every time he spent with her, it felt like a date. He spoke to her in a different way than he spoke to anyone else. But should he shake that off? She’d made it quite clear she wasn’t interested and as she mentioned her age repeatedly, she was clearly making a point – he was too young for her.
“I’d better get off,” she said. “Dad’s waiting.” Nina approached the others to say goodbye.
“Can I get you a refill?” Katie asked Warren.
“Um...”
“Your glass is empty. What are you drinking?”
“Stella,” he said. As Katie ordered at the bar, he watched Nina walk out of the pub with her father. At least he knew he would be seeing a lot more of her.
After the practice match between the team members, Warren noticed Rob staring at Katie a lot. He followed him to the bar with his empty glass.
“Want another?” Rob asked.
“No, I’m off in a minute.” He looked over to Katie chatting to Grace. “I see you’ve got your eye on someone.”
“Yeah, that Katie’s a sort. Are you gonna ask her out?” Rob asked.
“No. Why are you asking me that?”
“The girl can’t keep her eyes off you.”
“I’m not interested.”
“Well I am. I think she’s gorgeous. If I was a bit younger.”
“You’re not too old.”
“I’m battered though,” he said. “Oh, she’s coming over.”
“Hi, can I have a pint of Haze,” she said then smiled at Warren. “You’re so good and such a great teacher. Rob’s improved as well.”
“Thanks,” Rob said.
“Rob’s got the competitive streak, that’s why he’s my top player.” Warren nodded at him. “He’s used to competing. He was my idol.” He didn’t end the sentence with when I was a kid.
“What? You played darts before?” she asked Rob.
“No, I used to box.”
She screwed up her face. “I hate boxing.”
Warren saw Rob’s smile falter.
“I love watching darts though. My dad always had the darts on over Christmas. It gives me a warm feeling when I watch. So, Warren, I’ve got tickets to the rugby this Saturday. Me dad’s got a cold. Do you wanna come?”
“I already said, I’m going to a wedding, sorry.” He was relieved he had a genuine excuse. “But Rob might be able to.”
She looked at Rob. “He’ll be working here,” she said then paid for her drink with her phone. “Some other time.” She gave Warren a smile then walked away.
“I’ve no hope with her,” Rob said wiping the bar down. “The only thing I’ve got going for me is that I used to box. And she hates the sport.”
“She likes darts players though. All you have to do is win!”
“I don’t think she’s going to notice me with you here. Can’t you hook up with someone else, so she knows you’re not interested?”
“I do like someone.” Warren took a sip of his pint. “I’m working on it.” It was then that he realised that while the timing was not right, he’d wait for as long as it took for Nina.