Chapter 21 #2
After the previous cinema fiasco with Steve Turner, I made sure I was on time for my date with Stevie.
In fact, I was twelve minutes early. But so was he.
We laughed as soon as we saw each other, since one of the things we’d discussed on Saturday night was our shared contempt for people who weren’t punctual.
‘How long have you been here?’ I said.
‘Seconds. Honest. I’ve got something for you.’ Stevie fished into his pocket and handed me a candy-striped paper bag.
I peeked in it. ‘You angel. You’ve bought me gummy bears.’
‘You said you liked them and I know the pick ‘n’ mix here doesn’t have them. Look what I’ve got.’ He pulled out another paper bag and opened it for me to take a peek.
‘Rhubarb and custards? Can we share?’
‘We certainly can. Ready to go in?’
I smiled as Stevie held the door open for me and asked me where I’d like to sit. What a contrast to my last cinema date.
‘This is me,’ I said as we arrived at Seashell Cottage after a quick post-film drink on the seafront. ‘I’ve not taken you too far out your way?’
‘I’m parked five minutes’ walk from here so it’s perfect.’
We looked at each other slightly awkwardly. Should I invite him in? I was tired, though. He’d understand. ‘It’s work tomorrow and it’s late. Would you think I’m rude if I don’t invite you in for coffee?’
‘I have to get home to walk Bonnie so it’s perfect for me,’ Stevie said. ‘I’ve had fun, though. Fancy doing it again soon?’
‘I’d love to.’
Stevie smiled, flashing his cute dimples. Adorable. But fanciable? I still wasn’t sure. He didn’t give me butterflies. Not like Nick.
‘I’ve got a couple of things on at the end of the week,’ he said. ‘Is Wednesday too soon?’
‘I’ve got no plans so it sounds good to me.’
‘Great. I’ll message you to confirm a time and film.’
I nodded. ‘Do you want to leave your car here so we can walk together?’
‘Good plan. I’ll do that. Goodnight, then.’
‘Goodnight, Stevie.’ I tried to sound flirty but I’m not sure I pulled it off.
We stood there staring at each other, Awk-ward!
It had been easy to avoid a first kiss on Saturday when Clare and Rob were there, but surely not kissing at the end of our second date – a successful date – would be wrong.
I looked into his eyes. He was going to kiss me.
Yep, he was definitely going to do it. Any minute now.
But I didn’t lean in to make it any easier for him.
‘Right, goodnight then,’ he said.
‘You’ve already said that.’
‘So I have. Come here you.’ He reached out… he was so going to kiss me… and enveloped me in a huge bear hug. ‘Sleep well, Sarah.’
He turned and headed towards town to collect his car. That was odd.
‘That was odd,’ Elise said.
‘My thoughts exactly. What do you think it means?’
‘You’re asking the wrong person. I’ve only had two first kisses and one of those was with Ricky Williams when I was six. With Gary, it happened really easily and naturally.’
‘I was wondering if he was just a bit shy.’
‘Could be. If he’s been single for a while, it could be a pretty big thing.’
‘That was odd,’ Clare said.
‘That’s exactly what Elise said.’
‘You told her first?’
Oops, hadn’t meant to let that slip.
‘I thought you’d have told me first. I’m the one who set up the date. I’m the one who’s met him.’
‘Hey, it’s okay. I was about to phone you when Elise called me. I could hardly not tell her. Besides, she wasn’t much help and I knew you would be. What’s your verdict?’
‘Well, it could be any number of things,’ Clare said. ‘He could have been single for a long time and be out of practice. He could be gay.’
‘No! You don’t really think that, do you? He’s been married.’
‘And divorced. Maybe that’s the reason?’
I could tell by the sarcastic tone in her voice that she was messing with me. ‘You’re hilarious.’
‘Bad breath?’
‘I’d have noticed.’
‘Wind?’ Clare giggled. ‘Maybe he was about to do a huge belch and was scared of doing it while kissing you.’
‘Yuck. I don’t think that was it.’
‘In that case,’ she said solemnly, ‘I go back to my question from Saturday night; do you fancy him?’
Did I? ‘No, I don’t think so. I feel as though I should fancy him because we seem so compatible. I thought the kiss might confirm things either way.’
‘You know what else it could be?’ Clare said.
‘What?’
‘That he’s feeling exactly the same as you.’
Must kiss Stevie. Must kiss Stevie. Must do it now. Can’t sit all the way through the film wondering if he’s the Steven. Must kiss Stevie.
‘Are you okay?’ Stevie stopped walking down the cliff path on Wednesday evening. ‘You seem distracted.’
‘Sorry, miles away. What were you saying?’
‘I was telling you about Bonnie eating the wrapping paper last Christmas then trying to munch the tree baubles, but it’s probably not amusing enough to tell twice.
’ He laughed. ‘In fact, it probably wasn’t amusing enough to tell once so I don’t blame you for not listening. Are you sure you’re all right?’
‘Sorry. I’m fine.’ I stared down the path again.
Over the roofs of the houses in the Old Town, I could see the flashing light at the top of the lighthouse.
The photo of Grandma in front of it came to mind.
I needed to eliminate Stevie as the Steven once and for all and a kiss was the only way of doing that.
‘You’re not acting very “fine”,’ he said, sounding concerned.
I took a deep breath. ‘You’re right. There’s something bothering me.’
‘Anything I can help with?’
‘I hope so.’
I turned to face him. ‘There’s something I need to do before we walk any further.
I hope it won’t annoy you.’ I leaned in and kissed him full on the mouth, gently at first, then harder.
Thankfully he responded. Being pushed away would have been mortifying.
I closed my eyes and tried to make myself go with the moment.
But there wasn’t really a ‘moment’ to go with; it just didn’t feel right.
I pulled away and we stood looking at each other.
My mouth started twitching in the corners.
His did too. Within seconds we were both laughing.
‘Was it just me, or did that feel wrong?’ I fought the urge to wipe my mouth.
‘I don’t know what it was,’ he agreed, ‘but it felt like kissing a relative. Not that I’ve ever kissed a relative like that, mind you.’
‘You don’t fancy me do you, Stevie?’
He let out a big sigh and looked at me sadly. ‘No. I’m so sorry. I want to but I just don’t. You don’t fancy me either, do you?’
I pulled a sad expression too. ‘No. Which is strange because I do think you’re attractive and we have so much in common so you should be perfect for me. At the risk of sounding like a six-year-old, will you be my friend?’
Stevie laughed and gave me a hug. ‘I’d be honoured. We can be cinema buddies. What do you think?’
‘Sounds perfect.’ I exhaled loudly as I linked his arm and pulled him in the direction of the cinema. ‘I’m so glad we got that out in the open. So, tell me new bezzie mate, is there anyone else online that you like the sound of? Maybe we can help each other find The One.’
‘Well, there is this woman called Rachel…’
?? To Clare
Back from my date with Stevie. Kissed him. Felt nothing. He was the same. Agreed we’ll be good friends as there’s no chemistry. I guess that means he’s not The Steven either. Pants
?? From Clare
Who’s next on the list?
I rolled off the sofa and headed for the fridge. Taking a pen, I updated my list:
1Check out Steve Dennison on pub crawl tonight
Go to The Coffee Corner for take-out on way to shop tomorrow morning to check out the manager, Stéphan Marcell
Message Stevie Barnes, Steve Berry, Ste Parker, Steve Masterson and Stephen Fitzpatrick
Arrange dates with one or more of the above
Get very drunk tonight. And probably tomorrow night too
Buy bacon for sarnies on Sunday morning. Buy ketchup for Clare
Next on the list? Steve Berry. He’d messaged a few days ago and I got distracted by the whole Steve ‘Dr Who’ Dennison thing and meeting Stevie. The man deserved a reply…
But then my phone beeped.
?? From Nick
Hi from a freezing Edinburgh. Windy city? It’s like a constant hurricane! I swear I’m so battered by the wind that my body is covered in bruises! Are you still on for Thursday? Can’t wait to catch up with you xx
Aw, bless him. I’d kiss those bruises better. Whoa there, Sarah! Where did that come from? You seriously must stop thinking about Nick like that. You’ve got a list of Stevens to contact and you’re about to get in touch with one of them.
But making contact with Steve Berry didn’t seem quite so urgent anymore.