Chapter 26
CHAPTER 26
W arren rolled up at the unloading bay behind Tony’s shop. Nina had felt a little awkward when he’d picked her up at The Eversley Arms, after the near kiss they’d had at the weekend. When she’d climbed into his transit, she wondered whether he wanted to carry on where they’d left off. But he’d not mentioned it and they’d chatted away about his field. But still, she was acutely aware of the way he looked at her from time to time.
“Thanks for driving me here,” Nina said.
“It’s not exactly a chariot.”
“But it will fit all of the textiles inside. And I get to buy you brunch as a thank you.” She smiled at him. “Anyway, we’d better get out.”
As she opened the door, Warren was already around helping her down.
Her father came out of the back door. “The shop’s quiet so I can help load up.”
Inside the shop there were bundles of fabric and many rolls as well. As Warren picked up the first roll of cloth, she noticed her father staring at his tattoos.
“I can’t wait to get started on this,” Nina said, rubbing some material between her thumb and forefinger.
“I’m so pleased you’re throwing yourself into it.” Tony said. “Would you like a tea?”
“No. I’m taking Warren for brunch up the road, to say thank you for bringing me here.”
“Right.”
Warren came in for the next roll.
“I’ll give you a hand,” Tony said.
“No worries, Mr Smith, I’ll load them in.” Warren lifted another and left the room.
Tony turned to Nina when Warren was out of earshot. “Are you and him...?”
“Dad,” Nina said slowly with a warning tone to her voice.
“Your mother says you’ve got a thing for him and standing here, I’d agree.”
“I can’t deny we have a connection. He’s a great guy…”
“But?”
They heard Warren return and her father passed him the next roll of material, which was a pattern of blue and green. As soon as Warren was gone, they continued their conversation.
“What’s going on here, do you think you’re not worth much so you are settling for a man not good enough?”
“He’s about to get a PHD, is a pioneer in agroforestry in the UK and setting up a silvopasture for future generations. Trust me, if anyone’s reaching here, it’s me. Baby or no baby.” She realised the words had come out a lot more forceful and they both turned to see Warren in the doorway.
Her father’s face changed into a broad smile. “I hear you’re doing well in agroforestry?”
“I am. It’s a passion that’s taken over my life.”
“Very admirable, although at present there are a lot more pressing issues in our society.”
“Exactly,” Warren said. “I deal with that in my thesis. You can read it – I published it, if you’d like a copy.” He lifted up the last batch of material.
“Oh, right, yes.”
Nina sucked in her lips as Warren left the room. He clearly wasn’t the type to take a jibe silently.
Alone again her father sighed. “I miss our discussions about the environment since you’ve stopped sitting on the Environmental Rural Committee.”
“Dad, maybe you should go on the committee yourself. I know Jill has wanted out for ages and they’re after a community member.”
“But I’m not rural. I’m in the High Street. They want young blood, not an old-timer like me.”
“I get the impression you miss me being on the council more than I do.”
“It’s true. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I was rather living it through you. I loved badgering you for the details. I’ve been bereft since you lost your seat.”
“I’m glad you’ve finally admitted it!” Nina said with a laugh.
He dropped his shoulders. “Yes. I confess.”
“And you weren’t badgering me, Dad, it was invaluable for me to discuss everything with you. You’re discreet and someone I can trust.” She rubbed his arm. “You made it so much more interesting. A massive support and help.”
“I was?”
“Yes, as I told you many times.”
“I thought you were trying to make me feel better about being nosey.”
Nina laughed as Warren returned. “We’ll be off now.”
“Am I all right to leave the van out the back for a while?” Warren asked.
“Of course,” Tony said, then beamed at Nina. “I hope you enjoy your brunch.
As they walked up the High Street, Nina scuffed the edge of a manhole with her shoe.
She laughed. “If I was still on the council, I’d be sending a rude email to the outside spaces department.”
Warren offered his hand to her. “I don’t want you to take any chances.”
Nina looked at his hand and knew it was nothing to do with a fear of her tripping. She was well aware that he simply wanted to hold her hand. She gave him a sideways smile and then took it. It wasn’t like holding Ethan’s hand, soft from moisturising. Warren’s hand was rough, a hand that was a tool, used to working with soil and rocks. As they reached the square, she led him to the pub on the corner, close to the cathedral and not far from her closed shop. She averted her gaze so that she did not have to see Something Special, not knowing how she would react if another business had already taken up occupation.
Once inside, she pulled her hand from Warren’s as they squeezed past an elderly couple.
“Have you been in here many times?” Warren asked when they reached the bar.
“More than I could ever recall. The town hall is only a few paces from the back entrance.” She sighed. “I avoided looking at the boutique, but I’m in here facing the ghost of the council. I don’t want to feel I have to stay away from this place, not when I love their food so much.”
“Hi Nina,” George said. He was the chef. His partner Adam was the chef in the Eversley Bistro. “I reserved the table you asked for, but you may wish to move.”
“Why?” She turned around to see that two tables away was Sam Brent, sitting alone staring at his mobile phone as he ate a full English breakfast one handed, with a fork. “No, that’s fine.” She was after all in there to face her demons, and there was one of them now taking a sip of his tea.
“Is that Hedgehog Sam?” Warren said to her in a quiet voice as they approached their table.
“It certainly is.”
They sat down next to the window and checked the menu. She looked down the list of options. “I’m having a full English, what would you like?” she asked Warren.
“I’ll join you and have the same.”
At the bar where the food orders were taken, she looked back at Sam. He hadn’t noticed her. He was too busy staring at his phone with a frown upon his face. After ordering, she passed his table and he looked up.
“It’s you!”
“Yes, it is.” She carried on but when she sat down, she found that Sam had followed her.
“I need to speak to you,” he said.
“Sam, we’re here for a private brunch,” Warren said.
“Oh, yeah, sorry.” Sam turned and sloped away.
Nina tutted at herself, then called him back. “Sam.”
He turned around and she beckoned him over. He pulled a seat out and sat down.
Warren raised his eyebrows at her.
She mouthed back at him that it was okay.
“How can I help?” she asked, realising the intrigue had got the better of her.
“I need to go over the recycling initiative. I’ve been to the meetings and it’s a great idea.”
“I’m surprised to hear you say that. Does your father feel the same way?”
He groaned. “No!”
“You do realise that’s why he wanted you on there, to do his bidding.”
“I do now. But I can’t. It goes against my vlog. I’m supposed to be next to nature guy, saving wildlife, not encouraging people to pollute the planet. But Dad’s on my case. He says he’s getting himself on the committee as Jill’s leaving and he’ll take the community member space.”
Nina thought back to her own father’s comment. “He’s not very rural, is he?”
“I can’t get anyone else interested. I don’t know those types of people. What I was thinking is that you could do it. Come back on, as a community member.”
“I’d rather not, I’m expecting a child.” She also felt uneasy with the idea, baby or no baby.
“Oh yeah, I remember they mentioned it at the last meeting.” He smiled at her and then at Warren. “Congratulations you guys.”
Nina blushed but did not explain that Warren was not the father.
“I’m not getting on good, at the council,” Sam said.
Nina wasn’t surprised. “It’s a lot of hard work.”
“All they go on about is you and what a mess it’s been without you there. Everyone hates me.”
“You seem to care, Sam. They probably think you’re like your father. And well, you’ve a lot to learn.”
“Tell me about it.”
“As far as the committee’s concerned, you only need an interest from someone else and your father won’t get a look in. What you need is someone who’s passionate about the environment and who lives out in one of the villages.” She grinned at Warren.
“What am I getting roped in to?” he asked with a laugh.
“This is what you wanted. A connection to the council to help your application. All you have to do is discuss the environment and impart information.”
“I guess I’m more than qualified.”
“Are you?” Sam asked him.
“I’m in the last stages of a PHD on agroforestry and the environment is what leads my work.”
“Oh, mate, please.”
“Okay, sure,” Warren said.
“I’ve someone else to introduce you to as well,” Nina said to Sam, “who can help. Give us some privacy while we have our brunch date and I’ll take you to them when we’re finished.”
“Oh…right…yeah. Thanks so much, Nina.” He made a praying sign with his hands and then went to finish his food.
Warren smiled at her and spoke in a low voice. “You’re generous to Sam, many people would have blanked him.”
“I still care about the initiative. I was the one who proposed it and I’ve been gutted that I lost, knowing it would be shelved once Barry Brent got Sam to object.”
“That’s blown up in his face then?”
“Sam’s coming into his own by the looks of it.”
“You told Sam we were on a brunch date ?” Warren said with a smile.
“To make sure he left us alone,” she said.
“It feels like a date.” He sat back in his seat as their food was delivered to the table.
Nina made no further comment, but she had a smile on her face she was battling to control and changed the subject, bringing Warren up to date on the matters the Environment and Rural Committee had been working on. “So it’ll be a breeze for you.”
“I’m not worried about feeling out of my depth knowledge-wise, but I’m guessing there may be some difficult personalities.” He stood up as they prepared to leave.
“You’ll get on fine,” Nina said, then waved at Sam who was now at the bar to indicate they’d finished.
The young man followed them down the street until they reached her father’s shop. They waited while a customer left.
“He may look a little surprised to see you,” Nina said to Sam, and she was not wrong.
“What’s he doing here?” her father said, gesturing at Sam as they entered the shop.
“Sam’s having difficulty pushing the recycling initiative through.”
“I thought you were going to oppose it?” Tony said.
“He’s getting some backlash, close to home,” Nina added.
“Ah.” Tony’s face softened.
“He needs a mentor and I told him, I know the best.”
“Let’s talk,” Tony said to Sam with a smile.