Chapter 22
I turned the music up a notch to try and drown out the depressing sound of rain hammering against the shop window. ‘My first quiet day,’ I said to Mum. ‘I don’t like it.’
She put down the vase that she was dusting. ‘You’re not worried, are you?’
I shrugged.
‘Don’t be, sweetheart. Shops always have a mix of quiet days and busy days, but I think we can definitely put today’s lack of customers down to the weather. Would you go shopping in this?’
‘No chance.’
I glanced at the clock. Two hours and forty minutes to go until Bob’s rescheduled leaving do when I’d meet the guys from Bay Trade. And see Nick again. Butterflies! Stop doing that. He’s not Steven.
‘That’s the dusting done,’ Mum said. ‘I’ll just give the kitchen and toilet a clean. Shout if you need me.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’
With no customers and no orders to create, I checked the dating site but there were no new messages, so I clicked onto Facebook. Nick had updated his status.
Nick Derbyshire Looking forward to a night on the beers with the Bay Trade guys and the lovely Sarah Peterson
4hrs
Skye Harris The LOVELY Sarah Peterson? Is there something you want to share with us Mr Derbyshire? Are you finally off the list of Britain’s Most Eligible Bachelors?!
Nick Derbyshire I wish. See you tonight
My heart thumped faster. ‘I wish…’ ‘I wish…’ What did that mean? What did he wish? Did he wish he were with someone as in anyone? Or did he wish he were with me? It could be taken both ways. Seriously people, make your messages clearer.
I read the message over and over again, butterflies going mad in my stomach. What was happening to me? Every time I heard his name or thought about him, I fell to pieces. I couldn’t have fallen for him. It was wrong. He was wrong. Argh! He is not called Steven!
I wiped my sweaty palms down my coat and tried to ignore the gymnastics routine in my stomach as I thanked the doorman who held the door of The Old Theatre open for me at about quarter past seven.
Nick had texted me just as I left the shop to say they’d probably be towards the back on the first floor and to remind me they were meeting at seven.
Despite my preference to be punctual, I’d been too nervous to risk being first.
I took a deep breath and headed for the stairs. Hesitating at the stair head, I could see what I figured had to be the Bay Trade crowd, given the mix of ages, but no Nick. My phone beeped and I fished it out of my bag.
?? From Nick
Running a bit late. So sorry. See you really soon xx
Damn! I’d have to approach someone. Scary. I stared at the group, trying to decide who looked the most approachable. A tall, slim woman with long blonde wavy hair caught my eye and headed towards me. ‘Are you Sarah?’ she asked.
I nodded.
‘I thought so. You look just as lovely as Nick described. I’m Skye.’
‘Hi.’ Eek! Nick’s best friend.
‘I’m so pleased you’ve come tonight,’ she said.
‘I know Bay Trade doesn’t sound like the most exciting of concepts but I promise you it’s great fun and fantastic for business too.
’ She beamed at me and ushered me towards the bar.
‘Nick’s running a bit late I’m afraid. Domestic crisis.
He asked me to look out for you. Can I get you a drink? ’
‘It’s all right, I’ll get it.’ I reached for my purse, not wanting to impose.
‘Nonsense. Put it away.’ Skye laughed gently. ‘You can get me one later if it makes you feel better. Now, what would you like?’
‘Dry white wine please.’
I studied Skye while she placed the order.
I instantly felt comfortable in her presence, possibly because she reminded me of Elise.
She wore the same sort of clothes – long floaty cream dress, bolero-style turquoise cardigan, some chunky silver and turquoise beads and a turquoise flower in her hair – and was the same tall, slim build.
‘What sort of domestic crisis?’ I asked tentatively while we waited for the drinks. I suddenly had a vision of a wife and children at home that he’d conveniently forgotten to mention.
‘I’m not sure of the full details,’ Skye said. ‘Something to do with his new puppy and some feather pillows I think.’
I heaved a sigh of relief that I hoped wasn’t obvious to Skye. ‘Nick says you paint?’
‘Yes. I’m an artist first and foremost but I also love making jewellery and have probably spent more time doing that than painting recently. I enjoy anything creative.’
I pointed at her necklace. ‘Did you make that?’
‘I did. And these.’ She pushed her hair behind her ears to show me some stunning silver and turquoise earrings.
‘They’re gorgeous. I might need a pair myself.’
‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘With compliments like that plus a glowing reference from Nick, I already adore you.’
Glowing reference? Look just as lovely? What had he been saying about me? My heart raced.
Skye was the perfect hostess, introducing me to various members of the group and asking me lots of questions about my background, the shop and how I was finding life back in Whitsborough Bay after so many years in big cities.
She couldn’t have done more to make me feel at ease.
She made me laugh with anecdotes of nights out with Nick.
Each time she told a story involving him, I found myself hanging onto her every word.
It was obvious that Skye – and everyone else in the group – thought the world of him, which made me like him even more.
About twenty minutes later, I saw Nick out of the corner of my eye and my legs went momentarily wobbly.
He made a beeline for me, grinning. ‘You came!’ He gave me a big hug and a peck on the cheek then looked embarrassed as he pulled away.
‘Sorry. It seems like I haven’t seen you in ages. Was that a bit full-on?’
‘No, it’s fine,’ I reassured him. ‘I liked it.’ Uh-oh! Where did that come from?
He looked momentarily surprised then winked and said, ‘In that case, I’ll have to do it again.’
‘Feel free,’ I responded before I could stop myself. It must have been that large glass of wine on an empty stomach. ‘So, tell me about this puppy,’ I said, keen to change the subject.
Nick rolled his eyes at me. ‘He’s a six-months-old golden Retriever called Hobnob and he went on a rampage while I was out today. He shredded my pillows and there were feathers everywhere. I half expected to find some dead geese. Then he managed to grab a toilet roll and trail it around the house.’
I laughed at the image. ‘Did you get it cleared up okay?’
‘Yes. It took ages. But that wasn’t the worst. When I was ready to come out, I discovered he’d taken a dump in my best pair of shoes.’
‘No!’
‘And do you know how I discovered that?’
‘You didn’t—’
‘Thank God for socks is all I can say. Even so, it was pretty grim. The shoes and the socks are now in the bin, my best jeans are in the wash and I had to jump in the shower again. That’s why I’m so late, the little sod.’
‘Nightmare. What’s he doing now?’
‘When I left, he was in his bed feeling very sorry for himself. I hope he’s still there reflecting on his behaviour when I return tonight.
I can’t be too hard on him, though. I’ve been away for two weeks on the trot and when I finally brought him home from my sister’s, I had the audacity to nip to the supermarket.
I think it was a dirty protest for being such a rubbish owner. Do you have any pets?’
‘Two cats. Kit and Kat are brother and sister but thankfully they’ve been pretty well behaved despite all the disruption they’ve had with three homes in less than two months.’
‘What do you think it says about both of us that we’ve named our pets after chocolate biscuits?’
‘I dread to think,’ I said. ‘I used to have a goldfish called Smirnoff so that probably isn’t a good sign either.’
Nick laughed. ‘You’re not going to believe this but I had a hamster called Guinness. Speaking of which, I must do a trip to the bar. You’ve got an empty glass so that needs rectifying.’
Nick reached for my glass and his hand gently grazed mine. We both looked up and directly into each other’s eyes. Had he felt that jolt of electricity too? It felt even stronger than on the beach. This wasn’t meant to be happening but I didn’t think I could stop it. I didn’t want to.
‘Bar,’ muttered Nick, disappearing quickly into the crowd.
The group moved from the pub to The Bombay Palace.
The hours whizzed by, getting to know the different Bay Traders and chatting to Nick.
Everyone was so welcoming and friendly but I found myself longing to be alone with Nick.
Something had definitely started on his sister’s wedding day, continued at the pub, deepened on the beach and, now…
Well, there was no denying it. I wasn’t just falling for him; I’d fallen.
No matter how much I believed in the predication, there was no room in my mind for thoughts of any Stevens; my mind was filled with Nick.
Bob wanted to settle the bill for the whole group as a goodbye gift before emigrating.
While some of the group were busy pinning him down so he couldn’t hand over his credit card, I leaned on the table and allowed my thoughts to drift into a fantasy of a romantic walk home with Nick.
I’d shiver in the cold night air, he’d put his arm round me to keep me warm and I’d rest my head on his shoulder.
He’d gently kiss the top of my head and tell me he’d had an amazing evening and it was all thanks to me.
I’d tell him I was sorry it was at an end.
He’d stop, take my face gently in his hands, tell me it was just the beginning and not the end, and kiss me.
And it would feel nothing like the asexual kiss I’d shared with Stevie.
And it wouldn’t matter that he wasn’t a Steven. It would be perfect.
‘Sarah. Hello. Wake up.’ Skye waved her hand in front of my face. ‘Penny for them?’
‘What? Erm… I was just thinking of something I have to do in the shop tomorrow.’
‘Must have been something serious. You were miles away.’
Pants! ‘It was… erm…’ Think! Fast! Nick’s looking at you. ‘It was a bouquet a customer wanted and I… erm… don’t think I have the right colour gerberas.’
‘Well, I reckon that’s a big fib and you’re really thinking about a man,’ Skye said, her eyes twinkling mischievously. ‘I’ve seen that look before. And you hardly touched your food. Must be love.’
My cheeks flushed and I cast a nervous glance at Nick. He laughed and put his arm round me.
‘Of course she’s thinking about a man,’ he announced. ‘She’s thinking about me, what a great evening she’s had in my scintillating company, and how she can’t wait to do it again.’
We all laughed, nervously in my case. Sitting so close to Nick, my head against his chest, I felt weak at the knees.
He smelled so good. He felt so good. I could hear my heart thumping frantically and wondered if he could hear it too.
I felt disappointed when he removed his arm although I couldn’t help thinking that he’d held me a little more closely and tightly than needed.
Had he been aware that the words he spoke in jest were true?
Bill finally settled, everyone pulled on their coats and headed outside.
‘Would you mind if I walk you home?’ Nick asked.
‘I’d love that,’ I said, perhaps too quickly.
‘No need for that,’ piped up Bob. ‘I’m just round the corner from Sarah. Tony and I are both heading that way. We’ll see her home safe.’
I opened my mouth to protest but what could I say?
Nick lived in the opposite direction. If I created a fuss, it would be obvious that I wanted to be alone with him and I’d feel pretty damn stupid if I’d misread the signals from him and he was just being a gent with his offer – not saying it because he wanted to be alone with me too.
‘Okay, if you’re sure you don’t mind…’ I caught Nick’s eye and he smiled sadly and shrugged his shoulders. That intense look was there again and I knew. I just knew. He felt the same way as me. Auntie Kay and Elise were right.
Bob, Tony and I reached Seashell Cottage and parted.
I stood on the doorstep for a moment, imagining what I’d be doing if it had been Nick who’d walked me home instead.
Would he have kissed me? If he hadn’t made a move, would I have dared kiss him?
Oh well, I’d never know. I opened the door just as my phone beeped.
Spotting his name on the screen, my heart skipped a beat. I opened his message and grinned.
?? From Nick
I had an amazing night thanks to you. I think you might have guessed that I hoped to walk you home so I could give you one of these in person so here’s 3 by text instead – xxx – I know I’m not a Steven, but if you give me a chance, I promise I’ll treat you better than 20 Stevens!
I think we could be great together. Hope you feel the same.
Let me know if you do. Goodnight, Sarah xxx
Aware I was letting all the heat out, I quickly closed the door then leaned against it as I read Nick’s text over and over again. By the time I found my way to the sofa, my face ached from smiling.
Kit and Kat appeared and rubbed round my legs. ‘Mummy will give you a fuss in a moment,’ I said. ‘First, I have a very important text to write.’
?? To Nick
I’ve been trying to ignore my feelings cos of the Steven thing but I do feel the same. How about a rain check without Bob and Tony to cramp our style? Come to the shop at 5.45 tomorrow if you’re free. Can’t wait to see you again and collect those kisses in person. Steven who? xxx