Chapter Five #2
“You’re most welcome. But you’d probably better get back there. I mustn’t hold you up.”
There were already a couple of people waiting at the bar.
Tina gave her arm a squeeze. “You’re right. I’ll check in with you again later.”
After she’d gone, Bea checked her phone.
She’d been half expecting Meg to call her back.
Their earlier conversation had been a little stilted.
She’d been glad to hear from her friend, and they’d chatted for a few minutes, but the way Blane had just disappeared had thrown her.
She’d told Meg a little about him, then ended the call before she had to go into too much detail.
As if Meg had read her mind, the phone vibrated in her hand and her friend’s name appeared on the screen. Bea looked around. The first act hadn’t come out yet. She could probably have a quick chat and at least apologize for being so short earlier.
“Hi, Meg.”
“Hey. I wanted to check in with you again.”
Bea let out a short laugh. “I know. I’m sorry about before.”
“You don’t need to apologize. You just have to tell me what’s really going on. Did you need to get off the phone because he was there? This man of yours?”
“No. Just the opposite, actually. We’d arrived back at the hotel, and as soon as my phone rang, he made himself scarce. Disappeared into the lifts, and I haven’t seen him since.”
“Oh, no. I’m so sorry. I scared him off.”
“Don’t be silly. Of course you didn’t. I’m sure I’ll see him again later.”
“Okay, well, before he reappears—and when he does, end this call, all right? Just hang up and I’ll understand.”
“I’ll do no such thing.”
“Beatrice Hartley, do as you’re told. There have been plenty of men hovering around you in the last couple of years, and not one of them has caught your attention. It seems to me that this one has. So if he appears, hang up on me. But until then, tell me more about him.”
Bea smiled as she wondered where on earth she should start.
“Don’t overthink it,” Meg said with a laugh. “Just give me a list of words. We’ll go from there.”
It was a game they’d played in the past—the dim and distant past now, before either of them had ever been married.
“Okay. A list of words for Blane.”
“Blane?” Meg interrupted. “Ooh. I like that. Sorry. Go on. Give me your list.”
“American.”
Meg made a sound. “I’m not interrupting. I promise. Go on.”
Bea laughed. “Enormous. Security.”
Meg stifled a giggle, and Bea rolled her eyes. “I’m carrying on. Grumpy. Former Navy SEAL.”
“Oh my gosh. Bea, stop this minute. You have to tell me more than just words. I’m intrigued.”
“That’s the trouble.” Bea glanced across the arena toward the empty dark corner.
“I’m intrigued too, Meg, if I’m honest. We’ve run into each other around the hotel a couple of times.
Then here at the concert as well. I rescued him last night, actually.
From two beautiful young women determined to get a selfie. ”
“You rescued him? How?”
“He claimed me as his wife, and I played along.”
Meg burst out laughing. “Oh my goodness. He likes you too, then.”
Bea didn’t answer.
“If he didn’t like you, he could have claimed you were his boss or his sister and that he had to go. But his wife? That says something, Bea. You have to admit it.”
“I’d like to, but it doesn’t really matter. The most I can hope for is to perhaps run into him again this evening, and that’ll be it. He’ll be a lovely memory that I take with me on my way. A few encounters at a concert, one lovely afternoon at a museum.”
“Bea, you cannot let this man leave.”
She laughed out loud. “I’m afraid he’s rather too large for me to attempt to stop him.”
“Okay. That’s rather too large and enormous. How large is he exactly?”
“I’d guess six foot three or four. Incredibly tall.” She stared out across the crowd. “And rather muscular too.”
“Beatrice Hartley, stop it. You’re making me jealous. I want one too.”
“I take it David’s not around?”
“Out in the shed, doing whatever he does out there. And you know I love that man—but he’s perfectly normal-sized. Terribly British. Far too cheerful. Right now, I’m very much liking the sound of American, enormous, and grumpy.” A beat. “Though—if he’s grumpy, how does he put up with you?”
Bea had to laugh. “I’m really not sure. I just chatter away as usual. He seems to find it quite amusing.” She glanced toward his dark corner again. Still no sign of him.
“I wish I could come up there for the day tomorrow,” Meg said.
“I tried to make it work, but I really can’t.
I’d love to spend the day with you before you take off on your new adventure.
And hearing about this Blane character only makes it worse.
I want to be there with you on your last day in the country. And I want to hear all about this man.”
“It’s fine. Honestly. I’ll spend the day pottering. Perhaps buy a few things I’m not sure I’ll get in Crete. Oh, and I’ll repack my suitcase.”
“You did it!” Meg let out a little squeal. “I’m so proud of you. You’ve always hated that case Simon foisted on you. Did you buy something wonderful? Something you absolutely love?”
“I did. It’s perfect.” Bea looked toward the stage as the lights began to dim. “Oh, listen, Meg. I’m going to have to go. The lights are dimming. The music’s about to start in a minute, and I won’t be able to hear you.”
“Okay, my love. I’ll let you go. And thanks for telling me. I was a little worried after we spoke earlier.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so cagey. I was just a little thrown by everything.”
“Well, if this Blane turns up later, let him throw you over his shoulder and carry you away into the night.”
She laughed. “I hardly think so. I was never that wild, even before Simon.”
“Exactly. So you’d better start making up for lost time now. We’ll talk soon?”
“I’ll call you when I get to Crete.”
“Call me tomorrow if there are any developments.”
“All right, I will. Bye for now.”
“Bye, Bea. Love you.”
She slipped her phone back into her purse and glanced at the space behind her. She might not be wild enough to let a man she barely knew throw her over his shoulder and carry her off into the night—even if he wanted to—but she had promised herself she’d dance tonight. There was no reason not to.
She smiled at her neighbors when they arrived to take their seats just before the first act came out onstage.
They were good, and by the second song she was dancing in her seat.
When the band left the stage, her neighbors turned to chat with her, sharing stories about the line-dancing sessions they’d been to that afternoon.
They were nice, fun people; she enjoyed them.
Though it still didn’t stop her from checking Blane’s dark corner every now and then.
She hoped he’d appear soon. But even if he didn’t, he’d already been the highlight of her weekend, and the weekend wasn’t over yet. She was determined to enjoy the rest of it, for herself. She didn’t need to make it about an enormous, grumpy American.
As she’d told herself on the first night, the good times and the good music were guaranteed.
Good company wasn’t.