Chapter Twenty-Nine Kirkwall
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kirkwall
When Amelia walked into the bar Ross was already there looking handsome in a pair of jeans and a freshly washed and ironed sky-blue shirt. He’d had a shower, combed his hair and shaved, and he smelled of soap.
He smiled at her, his eyes crinkling up, showing perfect white teeth and that adorable dimple. ‘It really is ludicrous how handsome this man is,’ she thought. ‘I find it very hard to believe he hasn’t had a steady girlfriend or even a revolving door of casual women in his life.’
He got up and gave her an awkward peck on the cheek. Not knowing that Amelia would expect two kisses, they had a bit of a clumsy dance around each other.
“I got you a red wine. Is that OK?” said Ross. He looked embarrassed. “I’m an eejit. You might want something else. I can take it back, no bother.”
Amelia smiled at him. “Not at all. Red wine is perfect. I’m glad you remembered. Let’s go over there on a comfier seat.”
They sat down and there was an awkward pause. Amelia tried to get the conversation going, “What do you think of my outfit? I was going to keep it for Freya’s party but I thought I’d wear something new tonight.”
‘Oh bugger,’ thought Ross. ‘I should have told her how beautiful she looks right away.’ Aloud, he said: “I’m sorry. You look very nice.”
“Thank you. So do you.” She raised her glass. “Cheers.”
Ross took a nervous gulp of his pint and Amelia realised she would have to do all of the heavy lifting if they weren’t to sit in an increasingly uncomfortable silence.
She leaned forward and feigned fascination, “So Ross, tell me all about making Orkney chairs. I’m so intrigued.
When did you start and how long does it take to make one? ”
“You don’t need to humour me, Amelia. We both know you would be bored stiff if I rambled on and on about my chair-making skills.”
Amelia grinned and held up her hands palms up, as if she expected Ross to handcuff and arrest her.
“You caught me bang to rights. I thought it just might get you talking. I can sense you’re a bit nervous.” She smiled at him encouragingly. “I don’t bite you know. Well, at least not on the first date.”
He laughed and they could both feel a bit of the tension melting away.
“I’m sorry, Amelia. I’m just not very good at this. Never have been.”
She looked at him, “It’s not an exam, Ross. Just two people getting to know each other a bit better, that’s all. I thought you said you found it easy to talk to me?”
“But we weren’t out on a date then. We were just chatting. We hadn’t got all dressed up and everything.”
Despite herself, she was finding him increasingly adorable. Well, she may as well enjoy herself a little too. “Ross, you are wearing jeans and a shirt not a fancy tuxedo.”
“I know, but these are my good jeans and I happened to have ironed this shirt.”
Amelia smiled at him. “I’m honoured.” She reached over and touched his hand.
“Right,” she said firmly. “Here’s what we’ll do.
“Why don’t we just pretend that this evening we happened to bump into each other and decided we were both hungry and fancied a bite to eat? No date. No pressure. Is it a deal?”
“It’s a deal” he said, and let out a long sigh of relief.
“Actually,” he added, “I’m suddenly really hungry. This place does a fine plate of steak and chips. Might be a bit too much for a peedie thing like you.”
Amelia laughed, “No way. I could eat a whale sandwich. I’m starving.”
With the pressure off Ross believing he had to be witty and entertaining, he relaxed and found he was enjoying being in Amelia’s company. They chatted happily about music they liked and films they loved.
They both loathed rom-coms and were obsessed by the original Blade Runner with Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer (the director’s cut, obviously) and confessed to shedding a tear at Dumbo.
The two of them had howled with laughter at the end of Some Like It Hot and declared Singin’ In The Rain to be the greatest film of all time.
Ross said emphatically that he didn’t think he could be friends with someone who didn’t love all those films. Amelia said that it was just as well they were in her top ten then.
They discovered they had a lot more in common. They both couldn’t abide sweetcorn and were driven crazy by people smoking while they were trying to eat.
“Imagine this steak being ruined by somebody blowing out their fag breath on it,” said Ross, shuddering. “That’s what it was like in the old days. You’d come home reeking of stale smoke.”
“What’s your view on people who use leaf blowers, especially on a Sunday morning?” said Amelia.
“Anyone using one of those machines in any circumstances should be boiled in oil,” said Ross gravely. “Agreed” said Amelia with a grin.
Amelia scoffed her steak dinner and finished off the chips Ross couldn’t manage.
She ordered apple pie with cream and ice cream, followed by a plate of Orkney cheeses and oatcakes.
Ross was impressed. “I don’t know where you’ve put all that food but I do like a woman with a healthy appetite.”
“I’m very glad you like me, Ross” she said lightly, and added more seriously, “I’m having a really nice time tonight on our non-date.”
He blushed. They continued to chat about other places Amelia needed to visit in Orkney and she told him all about her trip to Hrossey and how kind Freya and everyone had been to her.
Evie’s name hadn’t been mentioned until Amelia said, “Evie has been kind too, but as I told you, I get the sense she doesn’t altogether approve of me.
I might have gone too far getting my hair done like her, but I think she looks so beautiful, and I just wanted to fit in and feel like part of her family. Is that really dumb of me?”
“Not at all. I think you look lovely and I’m sure she doesn’t mind really, why would she?”
“You’re right. I’m sure I’m worrying about nothing. I just thought I might have put my foot in it, especially when I asked her about her sister.”
Ross frowned. “That Liv is a piece of work. Although apparently, she’s been working to turn over a new leaf, but you can make your own mind up when you meet her.”
Amelia replied, “I’ve heard they don’t get on, but I feel as though I should get to know her as we are related.”
“Of course, you’ll want to see her but just be aware she’s not like most of the people here in Orkney. She’s trying her best and that’s all I want to say.”
Ross had no idea that Amelia had already made contact with Liv and she was a key part of the whole plan. She widened her eyes. “Ross, you’re making it sound as if she’s dangerous! What exactly has she done?” But he shook his head and said he’d rather talk about more pleasant things.
Amelia wasn’t getting any gossip from the decent and loyal Ross, so instead she asked him about what he thought she should buy Freya as a thank you present for letting her stay.
“She won’t take any money, Ross. Obviously, I offered, but she was so offended I haven’t brought up the subject again.”
“Freya is easy pleased, said Ross. “Just looking after you and seeing you having a good time is all the thanks she needs, but if you really want to get her a present, they do special bottles of Orkney whisky and local gin. You know she loves a wee tipple.”
“I had noticed, but she looks well on it,” said Amelia with a grin. “That’s a really good idea, thank you. Actually, do you fancy one for the road?”
The two of them looked up and realised the bar was empty. They hadn’t been aware of it getting so quiet. It was past midnight and time to let the staff get home.
“I seem to keep everyone here in Orkney up late,” said Amelia.
“Time goes fast when you are having a great time,” said Ross, surprising himself. He added, “I’ve had a brilliant night, but I better be getting you home to Freya. I bet she will be waiting up for you.”
Ross paid for the bill, left a generous tip to the waitress and ordered Amelia a cab, which he prepaid. She gave him a hug and they kissed each other on the cheek. Getting it just right this time with no awkwardness.
“We need to do this again,” said Ross, blushing.
“Anytime,” she replied.
When she got back, Amelia took off her high heels and tip-toed into her room only to hear Freya call out: “Well, how was it? Tell me everything.”
She popped her head round the door of Freya’s bedroom. “Oh Freya, it was lovely. No undignified scuffles at the end of the night, just a hug and a kiss on the cheek, but he is a very special man.”
“That he is,” said Freya.
“Please tell me you’ve not been waiting up for me to get back in?”
“I could pretend I was re-reading my very worn copy of Greenvoe but I knew I wouldn’t get to sleep until you were back. I was the same when Evie stayed here although she seldom went over the door.”
“Well, I’m home safe and sound and I’d better get to bed. I’m so tired. You get to sleep.”
“Good night, my love. See you in the morning and you can tell me all the details. I want to know absolutely everything.”