Chapter 7
Seven
I’m so sorry! I wasn’t looking … Oh. It’s you.’ Rafferty Gale didn’t look pleased to see her.
Kate glowered at him. ‘Clearly! Who walks out of a shop with their back to the door?’
‘Someone with their hands full.’ He nodded down to the large cardboard box he was holding in his arms.
‘Fine.’
Their eyes locked as they stared at each other.
‘Excuse me, please,’ another shopper said. ‘It might be helpful if one of you would be kind enough to move.’
‘Oh! Sorry.’ Kate moved to her left to let the woman pass, and Raff quickly stepped forward, now holding the door open with his right hip.
‘This isn’t going to work,’ the other shopper said.
‘Tell me about it,’ said Kate. ‘Sorry. You mean he’s still in the way?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’ll come out, and then you can come in,’ Raff said, looking utterly bewildered.
‘Good idea,’ said the other woman.
Kate stepped back as Raff stepped outside.
Then, without warning, the bottom of the box came apart. Tins of dog food thudded onto the pavement and rolled around. One landed on Raff’s left foot and he swore rather loudly.
Kate fought back her laughter. It wasn’t funny. And yet, somehow, it was. She bit her bottom lip but her shoulders were shaking from the pent-up laughter.
‘It’s not funny,’ Raff said, but there was a mixture of exasperation and amusement in his voice.
‘It is from where I’m standing.’
‘You’re lucky you can stand. I think my foot is broken.’
‘I’m surprised you can feel it with all that frostbite.’
Now he did laugh, but only for a moment. He stopped, shook his head and dragged a hand through his hair. Then he bent down to pick up the tins.
Kate bent down to help.
‘This is your fault,’ he said, but the look in his eyes when they met hers showed that he was teasing.
‘I’m not carrying the can for this,’ she said, grinning.
‘You’re a comedian,’ he replied.
‘Yep. I’m available week nights and weekends for this week only. But you have to book in advance. I’m in great demand.’
‘I don’t doubt it. Are you free tomorrow?’
‘Tomorrow?’ That took her completely by surprise. Was he still joking with her?
‘Or tonight? But as it’s Valentine’s Day, I expect you’ve…’ his voice trailed off and their eyes met again.
‘Are you asking me…?’ She couldn’t say the words.
‘I don’t know.’ His brows creased together. ‘I hadn’t meant to. But it seems…’
They stared at one another once more, still both crouched down and each of them holding a couple of tins of dog food in their arms.
‘Well, this is awkward,’ Kate said.
‘It is. We could pretend it didn’t happen,’ Raff suggested.
‘Pretend what didn’t happen? I’m not sure what has.’
‘Me neither. Erm.’ He coughed and licked his lips. ‘I think we’ll need a box.’
‘A box? For what, exactly? Oh! You mean for the dog food.’ Kate jumped to her feet and piled her tins on top of the tins in his arms. ‘Stay there. I’ll nip inside and get one.’
He opened his mouth to speak but clearly thought better of it as she stepped over the other tins on the pavement and pulled the door open.
‘Do you have a spare box, please, Trish?’
‘Hello, Kate,’ said Trish. ‘What’s going on out there?’
‘No idea. But a box would help.’
Trish nodded towards a pile of empty boxes to the left of the counter. ‘Help yourself. Are you here for the week? I heard Beth’s in Meribel with that gorgeous fiancé of hers. And isn’t your mum on a Caribbean cruise with hers?’
‘Yep. I’m the lucky one who gets to spend the week in Bluewater Bay.’ Kate found what looked like a suitably sized, and seemingly strong box amongst the pile. ‘Thanks for this, Trish. See you soon.’
Kate hurried out of the shop, almost sending Raff flying when she pushed the door open. He’d stood up and was peering in through the window right beside it.
‘Thought I’d done a runner?’ Kate asked.
‘It did cross my mind.’
She smiled and put the box on the pavement. ‘Aren’t you glad it’s not raining?’
‘Immensely.’
They worked together and had soon retrieved all the tins.
‘Lunch?’ he asked tentatively, as they both stood up. ‘As friends.’
‘Oh. I can’t. Sorry. Plans with my gran. Quick coffee?’
‘A quick coffee sounds good. I rarely drink a slow one. I think I’ll leave the jokes to you.’
‘I think that’s wise.’
They grinned at one another as they walked along the road.
Kate considered texting Granny Viv and telling her where she was going and with whom, but thought better of it. She would never hear the end of it and Granny Viv would have a wedding planned before either of them had kissed.
Kissed. Hmm. She shot a surreptitious look at his mouth but he glanced at her and she quickly looked away.
‘My car’s in the car park behind this row of shops. I’d like to dump this box first, if that’s okay. I don’t want to risk it happening again.’
‘No need,’ said Kate dismissing all thoughts of kissing. ‘I thought we’d go to Bonnie’s Diner which is just here.’ She stopped. ‘There’s an exit at the back that leads directly into the car park.’
‘Good to know.’
‘Allow me,’ she said, opening the door and stepping inside then holding it open for him to come in.
‘Thanks. Ah. I see the exit. Oh.’ He glanced around. ‘It’s like stepping back in time.’
Bonnie’s Diner consisted of a long dining area with a row of bright blue, leatherette booths running along one side, a central walkway with a black and white tiled floor, and a row of yellow tables and bright blue chairs running along the other side.
Next to those tables was an open shelved, bright blue serving area, and a gleaming stainless steel and white kitchen sat behind that.
‘The food is to die for,’ Kate said. ‘I’ll grab a table.’
Raff was gone for less than two minutes and the moment he sat opposite Kate in one of the booths, Maud, the manageress, with her jet-black hair worn in a high bun, eye liner to match, and bright red lips, came to take their order. Raff did a double take, but he gave her a friendly smile.
‘Hello, Kate,’ she said. ‘You’re looking good. I haven’t seen you since the end of last year. I hear Beth and Rose are off living the high-life. Good for them, that’s what I say. And who is this handsome hunk? Have you gone and got yourself engaged as well?’
Kate gave a gasp of surprise but hoped she covered it with a cough. The expression on Raff’s face was almost inscrutable but there was something in his eyes very close to fear.
‘Hardly,’ Kate said light heartedly. ‘You know me. I’m not interested in men.’
Now the expression on Raff’s face was definitely surprise. ‘Oh?’
Maud glanced at him and then nudged his shoulder with her hand. ‘Don’t worry. She doesn’t mean that.’
‘I do,’ said Kate emphatically. ‘Oh, but I’m not interested in women either. What I mean is, I’m not looking for a relationship. Actually, I’m going to get a dog. A rescue dog. And that’s where you come in.’
‘O-h-h.’ Now he sounded disappointed.
‘A dog?’ said Maud. ‘Is that wise?’
‘Don’t you start, Maud,’ Kate said, forcing a grin. ‘I’ve had enough trouble from Gran already.’
Maud drew an imaginary zip across her lips with her fingers and smiled. ‘Okay. What can I get you?’
‘Just coffee for me, please,’ said Kate.
‘And for me, please,’ Raff added.
‘Coming right up.’
‘Is that true?’ Raff queried as soon as Maud had moved away.
‘Which part?’ Kate asked, repositioning the pot containing serviettes.
‘Well, the dog part, for a start.’
‘Yes.’
‘I see. And … the other parts?’
‘About not being interested in a relationship? Yes.’
‘And if you were? Interested, I mean. Male or female? Or both? Actually, forget I asked. It’s really none of my business.’
‘You’re right. It isn’t. But if I were, it would be men. A man. Male.’ Kate rolled her eyes and grinned. ‘I only date men. And one man at a time. Not that I’ve actually dated anyone for a long time.’
‘I’m surprised. Any particular reason why not? Again, none of my business, I know.’
She looked him directly in the eye. ‘I’m happy with my life as it is. Well, I was. There’ve been a few major changes recently and I’m trying to adjust – hence the dog. But why bring a man into the mix and mess everything up?’
‘Your daughter and your mum, you mean? Are you saying you want a dog for company? I get that, I really do. But … why would a man mess everything up?’
‘The last one did.’ She sighed and shook her head.
‘Sorry. That’s not entirely true. My marriage wasn’t great.
It wasn’t that bad either, but he was a commercial airline pilot and often away.
After our daughter Beth was born, he and I just seemed to drift even farther apart.
But oddly enough, when he told me he was leaving, just over ten years ago now, it was a complete shock.
My dad had passed away the month before, so when I needed my husband the most, he abandoned us.
Me and Beth. He’s now living in Dubai with a woman he met in a bar six months before he walked out. ’
‘I’m so sorry, Kate. Especially about your dad.’ Raff sounded as if he genuinely cared. ‘Your husband sounds like a jerk.’
‘He was. Once the shock wore off, to be honest, both Beth and I – and Mum and Gran, were glad he was gone. We were all much happier without him.’ She sucked in a breath and leant back. ‘So. That’s my life story. Let’s hear yours. Why a dog rescue centre?’
Maud brought their coffees at that moment. ‘Enjoy,’ she said, winking at Kate.
Raff took a long drink, eyed Kate over the rim of his mug, and then put his mug down and smiled.
‘I have no idea who my biological parents are – or were. I was an orphan and a tall, gangly kid who wore broken glasses, second hand clothes, wouldn’t say boo to a goose, and was constantly being bullied.’
‘Oh, Raff. I’m so sorry.’