Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
“ W hat are you doing flirting with young men in your condition?” Sumitra asked as she buckled herself into the passenger seat of Nina’s car.
“I was not flirting,” Nina said as she put the car into gear and joined a queue to exit the car park.
“You were fluttering your eyelashes, I know when you like a man, my dear, but a student? How old is he, twenty?”
“He’s doing a PHD, he’s not an undergraduate. He’s much older but I’ve not asked his exact age or whether he’s interested in romance. Considering we’re just friends.”
“Oh, friends, is it? That sort of friendship can get you into trouble.”
“Ma,” Nina said with a laugh as she turned onto the road. “You’re being overprotective, and your imagination is running away with you.”
“And he’s not a man with means.” Sumitra looked out of the window. “Certainly not someone you should be dating. You need a professional man, like a doctor.”
“I ate a chicken kebab with him at the farmers’ market, it’s hardly dating.” She didn’t tell her that she was meeting Warren in The Eversley Arms the following day. “And dating is far from my mind. You were always obsessed with me marrying a doctor when I was younger. Well, after you stopped trying to convince me I should be one myself.”
“It’s a good profession. Your cousins in India are doctors.”
“Well, I was rubbish at science.”
“You’ve had a very successful career, I wouldn’t have changed a thing,” Sumitra said in a softer tone.
“Thanks Ma,” Nina said as she passed the Eversley village church where many of her customers had wed. She wondered whether she would ever date again. It would feel weird after Ethan. The sound of his name in her mind brought back the feeling of disbelief that they were no longer together. Nina reached the village green. “But Ma. Seriously, I’m in no frame of mind for romance.”
“Well maybe you need to tell that to the young man you had lunch with who was gazing at you with puppy dog eyes.”
“His name is Warren. And he was not looking at me in any way.” Was he? She thought, telling herself to be a little bit more observant in future. He was probably worried about me.
“You at least need to tell him you are with child.”
“He knows. I told him ages ago. We were discussing his project, that was it.”
“So he knows you’re pregnant and still he pursues you?”
“Ma, stop. He’s not pursuing me. You’ve got it totally wrong.”
With an hour to go until Sunday lunch, Nina put on another floral dress which hid her bump. She wasn’t sure if she would ever be ready for the tight bump enhancing clothes which she often saw. She picked up her dark glasses. It was a sunny day and she hoped they could find a table outside.
“You look lovely,” her father said as she went down the stairs.
“It’s a gorgeous day,” she said.
“I’m so pleased you’re getting out and about, angel.”
So was she. Sumitra had been searching through nursery furniture for their spare room and it was getting on Nina’s nerves. She wasn’t even sure she would be there when the baby was born.
“What about this colour, for the spare room?” Sumitra approached her with a colour pallet in a book from the DIY store and pointed to a pale lemon. “It’s called citrus blast.”
“Sounds like a mocktail,” Tony said.
Nina smiled at her mother. “As lovely as it is here, you know I always crave independence. I’m looking for a place to rent.”
“Back in Mumbai four generations live together,” Sumitra said.
“And that’s lovely, but it’s not for me.” She looked to her father. “You’ve always encouraged me to be independent.”
“Yes we have. Ma and I just want you to be happy, don’t we?” He looked at Sumitra with his eyebrows raised.
“Of course. Now make sure you eat with us tomorrow night.”
As Nina drew up alongside the Eversley village green she spotted Warren immediately, sitting on a bench with a pint of lager in front of him. She stopped the car and checked her reflection in the drop-down mirror. It’s not a date, she told herself. The guy was being friendly and as callous as her mother was, it was true, a penniless student in his twenties was certainly not husband material. But he made her feel happy and relaxed and that’s what she wanted – a friend. Someone she could help with their issues and challenges, rather than people constantly focussing on hers. She was interested in his field and discussing environmental issues was a serious subject but a safe one for her. And as nice as he was, she knew deep down Warren only felt sorry for her and wanted to have lunch so he could gain some leverage at the council. And who could blame him? She’d had many meetings and dinners with people herself in the past, in order to make contacts and gain information on her way up the ladder. She sighed. A ladder I fell from.
She got out of the car and Warren stood up as she approached him. His eyes look particularity warm and dark. She felt a fizzle of attraction shiver down her body as he smiled at her. Must be the hormones, she thought, but the attraction had shot through her like a bolt. Had she not looked him directly in the eye before? Yes, she knew he was attractive, but he hadn’t made her feel quite this way. She gulped. Maybe it was the smile. Don’t make your life even more complicated.
“Do you want to go inside? I booked a table.” He gestured towards the door.
“I quite like it out here,” she said, feeling a little warm. It would mean she could also keep her sunglasses on.
“I hoped you’d say that. What can I get you?”
“Sparkling water with ice and a slice,” she said.
“I’ll let them know we’re ready for our roasts. Is there anything you want excluded from the plate?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine with everything.” She touched her stomach as it rumbled. She was pleased the morning sickness had fully passed. She’d skipped breakfast expecting the large meal.
As Warren went inside, she sat down and noticed there were goods outside the corner shop. It didn’t used to open on a Sunday. It seemed the new owner meant business.
Warren soon returned with the drinks.
“Tell me what you’ve been up to,” she asked. “Other than the field.”
“I’ve been here a few times. Training the darts team on a Monday then a game here or in another pub every Friday.”
“How are the team working out?”
“Hmm,” Warren said. “We’ve a way to go. Carl’s getting better. The reverend is the weakest player but no one’s got the heart to kick him off, as he’s a lovely guy. We’ve four others that join us and I’m trying to recruit Grace who works at the auction house. But Rob’s the star player, he’s beaten me a couple of times, now he’s sober.”
“I’m not sure I’ve seen him sober,” Nina said.
“Jaz has taken him under control. She’s got him working here and he loves it. She says he’ll get the sack if he drinks on duty, or on training or match days.”
“Really?” Nina said. “I thought she was no fan of Rob.”
“Even though he can be an idiot, he’s still popular. I think she sees him as an asset. And she wants to stick a picture behind the bar of him, with his winner belt on.”
“I guess it’s like that when you’re famous! He’ll be dining out on his boxing career forever no doubt. Shame he spent all the money.”
“Is it true he went bankrupt?” Warren asked in a low voice.
“Yes, he had to work in the milk factory with his dad while he sat out the three years. Everything had to be kept simple.” She took a sip of her drink. “So, if he’s working here full time now, what about Simon?”
“Simon’s here on and off, but he’s earning more as a carpenter and refurbishing properties. He’s been doing work over at Jaz’s place and helped her dad out on a couple of kitchen fitting jobs. He wants to leave the pub, other than the odd shift for social reasons. He’s training Rob up and to be fair, Rob’s great. And as I said, he throws good darts. It’s often about the mental attitude.” He tapped his head. “And he’s used to that with the boxing.”
“You seem to have fitted in well here. And you’ve tapped into the village grapevine.”
He laughed. “Everyone knows everyone else’s business.”
“So, what about the field?” she asked.
“It’s on track. I’ve started my application for lottery funding. I want to get support from the council to back it up. And I need a character reference. And checks.” He frowned slightly. Nina was going to ask if he was worried about that, but his phone vibrated on the table. He looked at who was calling, but did not answer it.
“Someone you don’t want to speak to?” she asked, then took a sip of her sparkling water.
He nodded. “Someone from my past. From one of the foster homes I was in when we were ten. I was a bit of a rogue – we both were. I grew out of it, he didn’t.”
“I see.”
He sat back and sighed. “Without blood family, Scottie’s the closest I have to a brother and it’s a tough one. Nick and Jane have said I need to let him go. To block him from my phone. But he feels like a brother.” He looked down at his hands.
Nina lifted her glasses on top of her head and gazed at Warren. She could see he was a strong man with strong arms and strong body. And yet, he was so vulnerable. She had to take a deep breath to stop herself from reaching out to touch his hand. He looked up at her and caught her gaze and his eyes widened slightly. Oh no, does he think I fancy him? She gulped. Maybe Ma was right? If so, she needed to get across to Warren that she didn’t want romance.
Rob brought their meals out which broke the gaze they’d been holding. “There we are.” He placed the filled plates on the table. “Nice to see you here, Nina.” He smiled at her.
She raised her eyebrows. Warren was right, Rob was a lot different sober. “Service with a smile?”
Rob chuckled. “That’s me!”
Nina smiled back. “I heard you’re doing great here.”
“It’s better than the milk factory, that’s for sure. Although having Jaz as my boss is tough. She should have been my boxing trainer, I might have won more fights.”
Nina laughed. “You won enough, Rob. Anyway, I hear your darts are good too.” She looked at Warren then put her sunglasses back on, not wanting any more intense eye contact with him.
“I doubt we’re ready to win a match yet. But this guy here, he’s a brilliant trainer. Carl’s better too. I reckon if we poached Jaz’s old man from the Dogs we’d have a chance.” He gestured inside. “We’ve a home match this week. Come up and watch. And it’s great to see you.” He nodded at her.
She watched him walk away. “Wow, I see what you mean. It’s like he’s been possessed by a good spirit.” She also noticed that Rob had not mentioned Ethan. She realised that people were probably aware of the situation. The whole village probably pitied her.
After they’d eaten, Nina brought Warren up to speed on the council and took his email address so that she could forward him some contacts.
“The meal was great,” Nina said to Rob as he took away the empty plates.
“Today’s dessert is sticky toffee pudding.”
“I couldn’t manage that!” she said.
“Warren? You want some?”
“No thanks, mate.”
“I do fancy something sweet though,” Nina said after Rob had left them, and looked over to the corner shop. “Maybe a bar of chocolate and then I’d better head back.” Nina wanted to check out the corner shop, to see who’d taken it over.
As they entered, a woman with hair in tight red curls looked up. “Can I help?”
“Hi, I’m Nina.” She glanced around the room. It had been rearranged and set out nicely. The previous owners used to stack goods on untidy piles and with the Post Office element gone, there was a lot more space.
“I’m Katie, pleased to meet you. Have you lived here long?”
“I actually live in Wells but have been coming to the village most of my life. I love it here.” She gestured at Warren. “We’ve just had an amazing Sunday lunch at the pub.”
Katie smiled at Warren. “You were brilliant at darts on Friday. As per usual. I’ve never seen you lose. The Kings Arms were gutted when you beat their star player.”
“The team are coming along,” Warren said.
“Because you’re training them!” Katie said. “I can’t wait for the home match this Friday. I’ll be closing at five if you want to get there earlier?”
“I won’t be here as I’m off to Bristol Thursday with family for a few days,” Warren said.
Nina was shocked at the level jealousy that shot through her. Don’t be ridiculous. This was an ideal opportunity for her to get across to Warren that she did not like him in that way. It was embarrassing that he might think she fancied him. Especially with the age difference and her being pregnant. She picked up a chocolate bar.
After paying, Warren walked her to her car.
“I’ve really enjoyed our lunch. Maybe–”
She cut him off. “She seems nice.”
“Who?”
“Katie, and from the way she looked at you, I’d guess you two are an item?”
“No, we’re not.” He frowned.
“Well, she seemed interested from where I was standing. Maybe you should ask her on a date?”
He stared at her but said nothing.
“Thanks for lunch and for paying, that was generous. My treat next time,” she said in a breezy voice. Whilst she needed to impress on him that she wasn’t romantically interested, she still wanted to be his friend. “It’s been nice.” She got into her car knowing Katie, who looked around thirty, was much more Warren’s type than a pregnant thirty-seven year old.
As Nina arrived home, Sumitra met her at the door. She didn’t really want to be quizzed on who she had seen at The Eversley Arms.
“I’m going up to watch television in my room,” she said.
“You’ve a visitor,” her mother said in a soft voice.
She followed Sumitra into the lounge, wondering who it was, to find Ethan’s mother on the sofa. She had a handkerchief in her hand and Nina could tell she’d been crying.
“I’m so sorry about Ethan,” she said then burst into floods of tears. “He told me all about it.”
“Don’t worry yourself, Christine,” Sumitra said as she went to the sofa and comforted her.
“If I can help in any way. Trust me, I begged him to reconsider but he always was so stubborn.”
“It’s nice of you,” Nina said. “But Ethan’s made it quite clear.”
Sumitra looked up at Nina. “Christine’s worried that if Ethan does not come around to the idea that he is a father, she won’t get to know her grandchild.”
“Of course you will,” Nina said. “I’m relieved that you want to and that you’ve come here. I’ve been really worried about what to say to you if I bumped into you.”
“I feel so awful. As if it’s my fault somehow. That I didn’t provide him with proper family values.”
“Don’t worry Christine, we’ll always be family,” Nina said, sitting the other side of her to her mother. “We are all linked to this baby.”
Christine leaned across and gave Nina a hug. “Thank you, that means so much.”