Chapter 31 #2
‘I might have a bit of a problem,’ he admitted. ‘Hello, my name’s Christian Wynterson and I’m addicted to carving animals from wood.’
I stepped a little closer and ran my fingers down the plumage of the most adorable owl. ‘They’re spectacular.’
‘Thank you. My lathe work’s on the other side.’
He showed me bowls of varying sizes, salt and pepper shakers, tealight holders and clocks, all of which exhibited considerable skill.
‘What are you going to do with them all?’ I asked.
‘Emma keeps telling me I should sell them. She sells the alpacas through her website but I’ve never got round to looking into the rest of the animals.’
‘I might have a solution for you but do you mind if we go back inside? It’s chilly in here.’
We returned to the lounge and I outlined our plans for Created With Love. Christian loved the sound of it, even offering to cover some shifts while we got established if we found ourselves stuck.
‘I love the idea of a shop for creatives being run by creatives. I know you sew but I’ve never asked you what you make.’
‘Patchwork quilts mainly…’
The conversation flowed as I talked about my sewing, the quilt I’d given to Paulette and the memory bear I was going to make from Cliff’s clothes.
Christian talked about the favourite pieces he’d made and how easy it was to look up from his work thinking a couple of hours had passed only to realise he’d been working for four.
This was by far the longest I’d spent in Christian’s company and I liked it a lot.
He was easy to chat to, he was open about his past, and he was interested in finding out more about me.
I couldn’t read Christian – couldn’t tell if he was being flirty or just friendly.
When I’d been with Will, the electricity had crackled between us and I’d never doubted for a moment that he was interested in me so I suspected that, with Christian, it was the latter and that suited me just fine.
As nine o’clock approached, I struggled to stifle a yawn, which made us both laugh.
‘Is my company really that bad?’ Christian asked, his tone teasing.
‘Your company has been brilliant, I promise, but my day has been long so I’d better make my move.’
He helped me back into my coat and walked me to the door.
‘Thanks again for the delicious meal,’ I said, stepping out into the cold night air. ‘And for this beautiful bowl.’
‘You’re welcome. Thanks for the great company. We’ll have to do it again sometime.’
‘My turn next. How about I cook for you one day next week?’
‘Sounds good to me. Good night, Yvonne.’
He leaned forward and I tensed. Was he going to kiss me? A wave of panic swept through me. The only man I’d kissed was Will and I wasn’t convinced I wanted to kiss Christian. But his lips lightly brushed my cheek and he pulled away, smiling at me. ‘See you soon.’
‘Night,’ I murmured. ‘Sleep well.’
But as I dashed across the road, I frowned. I’d expected to feel relieved that Christian had only given me a friendly peck on the cheek but, for some reason, I felt disappointed instead. How could that be? Why were my feelings towards him all over the place?
I placed my key in the lock and glanced back. It was touching to see Christian still on his doorstep, as though making sure I made it inside safely. He raised his hand in a wave and I did the same before ducking inside, hastily locking the door and releasing a long breath.
After my heart rate steadied, I went into the lounge to place the bowl on the coffee table and check on Trevor.
‘I was longer than I thought,’ I told him. ‘I’m sorry you’ve been on your own all evening. I promise to spend some time with you tomorrow but it’s bedtime now.’
‘Bedtime!’ he repeated. ‘Bedtime!’
As I draped the cover over Trevor’s cage, he fell silent, and I completed my usual nighttime round of the house, closing blinds and curtains and checking the locks downstairs before heading upstairs.
I paused in Cliff’s doorway for a moment then, without switching on the light, made my way over to the window, my eyes focused across the road.
I knew Christian’s bedroom was at the front of the house but it was in darkness.
I was about to leave when his room illuminated.
The blinds were raised and as he walked towards the window, I gasped at the sight of his bare chest. I ducked behind the curtains, my heart pounding and, moments later, the blinds were lowered and tilted.
Releasing another long breath, I shook my head.
We’d been talking about our ages earlier as I’d mentioned how kind my friends at Cake & Craft Club had been after discovering my sixtieth had passed unnoticed.
He’d mentioned that his sixtieth had been a non-event – just a couple of drinks with some of his teacher colleagues – but he was hoping to do something special for his seventieth birthday in December.
Seventy! I knew he kept himself fit and that flash of his naked torso had proved it.
I liked Christian a lot and the age gap didn’t bother me – not that much more than the one I’d had with Cliff – but could I see us together? I still wasn’t convinced but stranger things had happened. But as I settled down to sleep, it was Will who occupied my thoughts, not Christian.