Eleven
I was going to send Adele a text to give her a heads up that she might receive a visit from Marcus at some stage. And also, that he might be drunk if it was today. But then I thought it might be best to let it be a surprise. And also, he might not go to see her, and that would only make her more upset.
But then again, if there was even the slightest chance that someone I liked might turn up on my doorstep, unannounced, I’d like to look my best. So eventually I decided I had to tell her.
‘I’m not saying he will,’ I said. ‘But I’m not saying he won’t. All I’m saying is that we spoke for a long time today and he seemed to … mellow. Actually, he seemed to care about you. I think there’s a chance you could become friends once again.’
‘Really? What did he say? But do I want to be friends with someone who could think I would behave like that?’
‘That’s entirely up to you. All I’ll say is that I believe you still like him, deep down. Maybe even more than like him. And the woman was his wife, after all. It would’ve been a bit unfair of him to take your side against her when you had no proof and the wife and best friend denied it. Think about it and see how you feel. But don’t let it upset you if he doesn’t turn up. He’s still upset about his best friend and his wife betraying him. This might take some time.’
‘I understand. And I promise I’ll think about it.’
She looked rather excited and I hoped I hadn’t caused her even more heartache by getting involved.
‘There’s something else I wanted to ask you. Would you be interested in helping me make my Christmas decorations? I’ve got orders coming out of my ears and I’ve been thinking of taking someone on, part time and on flexible hours. I’ll pay the going rate.’
‘Are you sure?’ She looked doubtful. ‘You haven’t just made this up because of what I told you about my finances, have you? I don’t want charity.’
‘Cross my heart, I haven’t made this up. It’s the honest truth. I could really do with some help. And having the person live next door is a godsend. It means I don’t have to lug stock back and forth. If you’re unsure, we could give it a try and see how we get on. If we both hate it, and can’t work together, or if you don’t enjoy it, then we can forget it and still be friends. Deal?’
The furrow between her brows slowly melted away and she smiled.
‘Deal. When do you want me to start?’
‘As soon as you’re feeling better.’
‘I’m feeling better already. You’ve made my day, Noelle.’
‘Then let’s start as soon as my boiler is fixed, which should be tomorrow, with any luck.’
‘Perfect. Erm. I think I might go and have a quick shower. I’ve been baking all morning and I’m covered in flour.’
It was obvious she wanted to have a shower in case Marcus turned up, and I really hoped he would.
‘Oh that reminds me. I love your biscuits so much and I want to buy some to give as presents. I was also thinking that you should consider setting up your own business because even Marcus said your biscuits are the best.’
‘Marcus said that? Today?’
‘Yep. I gave him some when I saw him. So I’d like to buy some more, please.’
‘Buy them? You can have them for free.’
‘Nope. This is business, Adele. Work out how much they cost to make and how much profit you want and then look online to see what other biscuit makers charge to make sure you don’t price them too cheap. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
She gave me a quick hug and I dashed back to my cottage feeling that it had been a much better day than I’d expected.
I’d only been in a few minutes and in my joyful state, I’d forgotten about my tap. I turned it on and got completely drenched from the top of my head to my trousers. Even my reindeer head slipper boots were wet. I was on my way upstairs to get a towel and get changed when the doorbell rang.
I thought it was probably Adele. Or possibly Marcus. So I didn’t worry about how I might look as I flung open the door.
‘That bloody tap has just … Oh. … Ooooh.’
I hadn’t meant to say that second and rather swoony, oh, and certainly not aloud. But it sort of drifted out of me as my eyes beheld the gorgeous hunk of a man standing at my front door, and my gaze travelled up and down his seemingly perfect body.
‘Marcus called and told me I had to come here today, as a favour to him,’ he said, as his gaze scanned me from my head to my toes, but not in the same appreciative way that I knew my eyes were scanning him.
‘Did he?’ I said, my voice all soft and dreamy. I coughed to clear my throat. ‘I mean, did he? Why? Oh no. You’re not my blind date, are you? Look. I’m sure you’re lovely … and I can see that you’re very handsome. Marcus didn’t mention that. But I did say that I thought it would be best if we didn’t date. I don’t have an issue with kids. In fact, I like them. But if things didn’t work out, it would just be awkward.’ I shook my head slowly. ‘And you have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?’
‘Not a clue. I’m here about a tap and a boiler. Have you been trying to fix them yourself?’ His expression reminded me that I was drenched. ‘I think you’ve drowned your reindeer. Aren’t their noses supposed to flash?’
‘What? Oh yes. Erm. Sorry, but why did Marcus tell you, you had to come here today?’
‘Faulty boiler? Leaky tap? Ring any bells?’
‘Several. But who are you?’
‘Well I’m not Father Christmas. Do I need to give you any other clues?’
‘Erm. Look. I’m not trying to be difficult so there’s no need for sarcasm. I just don’t know why Marcus called you. He didn’t tell me he was calling a plumber, which is what I assume you are.’
‘Give the girl a candy cane.’
I ignored his facetious remark. ‘I have a plumber booked for tomorrow. Although I did say I was going to call him and see if he could get here any sooner even though he said he couldn’t.’
‘It’s the season for miracles. Here I am.’ He held out his arms in a sort of theatrical gesture. ‘Ta dah. Now are you going to let me in?’
‘No. Not until you tell me who you are. You could be anyone for all I know. And where are your tools if you’re a plumber?’
He raised his brows. ‘I’m a heating engineer and plumber. And I told you Marcus called me. My tools are in my van. I don’t carry them around with me until I know which tools I will need. I might have to go and buy some parts before I even start, and I don’t leave my tools lying around in case someone trips over them and sues me. Marcus told me about that. I’m the man you want. The one you called yesterday. I’m Alec Richman. And I have to say I’m only here today because Marcus is a good mate. But I’ve got places to be and people to see so either let me in or I’ll leave and come back another time. It’s up to you.’
‘You’re … you’re Alec Richman?’
‘Yep.’
My gaze took him in again and I felt my mouth fall open but I quickly composed myself. I’d imagined Paul when I’d pictured Alec but this man made Paul look ordinary.
Alec had the sort of sandy-golden-blond hair, and suntanned skin that made him look as if he lived on a surfer’s paradise beach. His smile was devastating, and his teeth were white but naturally white, not blitzed and bleached to within an inch of their lives. His blue eyes were the colour of a hot summer day, and his jaw was firm and clean-shaven. He had the sort of body any athlete would kill for, and any woman would want to wake up next to. This man was the perfect package. Looks-wise, at least.
‘Why didn’t you just say who you were?’
‘And spoil all that fun?’
‘You’re not at all what I was expecting.’
‘I get that a lot. Sorry to disappoint. But there it is. Now, what’s it to be? In or out?’
‘What! Oh, in. Yes. Definitely in. And I’m not disappointed. Just surprised. Thank you for coming sooner.’
‘I’m just glad I’m not your blind date, because if you give a plumber you’ve called this much of a hard time, I’d hate to see the sort of grilling you give a potential boyfriend. And you might want to go and wash your face. You’ve got black streaks running down your cheeks. Point me in the direction of the boiler, or the tap, before you go and do that, and I’ll crack on.’
My hands shot to my face and my cheeks burned with embarrassment.
‘The kitchen is that way. The boiler’s in the utility room which you’ll see when you’re in the kitchen.’
‘Thanks. Any chance of a cup of tea? I’m parched and as I said, I dashed up here because Marcus told me to. I should be on my tea break now.’
‘Yes. If you’re willing to be the one to turn on the tap. That’s how this happened.’
He grinned at me and I hurried upstairs.
I was mortified by my reflection.
Why had Marcus called my plumber and told him to come here today? And how did Marcus know which plumber I’d called? I’m sure I hadn’t told him.
I wished I’d taken Marcus’ number as I had done Adele’s, then I could have called and asked him.
I dashed into the shower and had the fastest wash in history, spending time on my face to remove the black streaks. I wasn’t sure what they were as I hadn’t put mascara on today.
Then I remembered I’d been painting the snowmen’s top hats with black paint. I must’ve got some on my face and when that tap soaked me, the paint had run down my cheeks. Luckily it washed off.
At least I could now make myself more presentable and I stepped out of the shower smiling at the thought of Alec saying, ‘you look lovely,’ or something similar when he saw my transformation from drowned rat to reasonably pretty woman.
Well a girl could dream, couldn’t she?
What I had definitely not expected was for Alec to see me naked.
I’m not sure who screamed the loudest.
‘Shit! I’m so sorry,’ he yelled, taking more than a moment or two before he looked away and turned around.
‘Fuc–’ Thankfully, I didn’t finish that profanity. Saying F… me, might have made him think I was giving him an invitation, not that I was so startled at finding him in my bedroom that I had used a phrase I’d only used once before in my life.
‘What the hell are you doing in my bedroom?’ I questioned his back after I’d grabbed the towel I’d foolishly left on my bed.
‘I was coming to turn off the rads. I had no idea you were taking a shower. I did call out as I came up the stairs and I thought you heard me because I’d said, ‘Shout now if you’re not decent.’ And I couldn’t hear any water running, so how was I to know you’d be naked? I suggested you wash your face, not your whole body. But I will say you have a really good body. Your blind date guy is in for a treat.’
‘What! How dare you. Firstly, you should’ve waited for my reply. Secondly, you should’ve looked away the moment you saw I was naked. Thirdly, I don’t sleep with men on first dates. And I said I wasn’t going on a date with you … him … anyway.’
My voice had grown louder and more shrieky with each sentence and I was glad his back was turned and he couldn’t see my face.
‘Okay, okay. I’m sorry. And you’re right. I should’ve looked away immediately. I don’t know why I didn’t because despite what you might think I am a gentleman. Usually. But … I think I was as surprised as you were, and then … I think I was just mesmerised or something. As I said, you have a really good body. A really good body.’
‘Thank you!’ I hissed. But inside I was thrilled. This gorgeous man thought I had a really good body.
His phone rang and he answered it immediately.
And broke my heart and shattered my dreams with just two words.
‘Hi sweetheart,’ he said.
So Alec obviously had a girlfriend. Or a fiancée. Or a wife.
Okay, he hadn’t actually broken my heart or shattered any dreams. I’d only met the guy a few minutes ago. But I had thought Paul set my heart and body on fire. This man had set my heart and my body and my soul ablaze the second I opened my front door.
‘I can’t talk right now,’ he continued, his voice soft and loving. ‘I’m in the middle of something. But I’ll see you very soon and yes, we can snuggle up on the sofa and watch your favourite movie tonight. Love you, sweetheart. Bye for now.’
I wondered what she looked like naked. Did he tell her she had a really good body too?
He coughed. ‘Are you decent? Can I turn around?’
‘I suppose so.’
I had the towel wrapped around me, but when he turned to face me, I may as well have been naked once again because his eyes slowly grazed my skin and it was as if he was caressing me with his bare hands. Tingles and quivers of delight raced up and down my arms and legs and everywhere in between.
His voice sounded as though it was dragged over coals. ‘Can I turn off the radiator, please?’
Mine was almost breathless. ‘Yes.’
I managed to pull myself together and I sounded more serious and detached when I added, ‘And then, in case you think of coming back to do something else, I’m giving you notice now that I’ll be getting dressed.’
‘Do something …? Oh right. No. Just need to turn off the rads for now. In every room.’
He had to walk past me to get to the radiator in my bedroom and although we didn’t touch, I could feel the heat from his body and smell his aftershave. When our eyes met for an instant, I actually considered dropping the towel. And unless I was completely misreading the look in his eyes, I think he was hoping that I would.
At first, that made me even more aroused, but then I remembered that phone call and it was as though I’d had another cold shower.
Would he cheat on his partner? If so, he wasn’t the kind of man I’d want to take to my bed.
I turned away but I could feel his eyes on me and, even though it shouldn’t have, it made me feel sexier and more desirable than I’d felt in many years.