Chapter Thirteen
Liam returned my look with one of his own.
‘Bring it on,’ he grinned. ‘I love a bit of competition.’ He raised his cup to his mouth and eyed me speculatively over its rim.
‘I’ve heard – through your village’s grapevine – that Cilla isn’t wasting a moment with the fundraising project.
Apparently, she’s kicking off with a big fete this Saturday.
Indeed, she has promised an epic event – her words – every weekend right up to the reveal of the winning bid for Starlight Hall. ’
‘That’s right,’ I nodded. ‘Cilla is very proactive, and many ideas are being fast-tracked for action. The Starlight Society’s publicity team are on it.’
‘There’s a publicity team?’ said Liam in astonishment.
He looked gobsmacked. As well he might. Whilst the likes of Hetty Cartwright and Doreen Bird could spread a rumour or two, I wasn’t sure their gossip mongering would pull in the crowds beyond the boundaries of Starlight Croft.
‘There’s an advert going in one of the big newspapers,’ I said carefully.
‘My goodness.’ Liam blew out his cheeks. ‘That will cost a pretty penny.’
No need to mention that it wasn’t The Sunday Times but Kent’s News Shopper.
‘I’m not meant to discuss the society’s private matters,’ I muttered.
‘Perhaps you could disregard that bit of information. After all, I don’t want to get into trouble with the other members.
Despite Cilla lowering her guard and allowing you into her pub, unfortunately you’re still seen as the main enemy. ’
‘Oh dear,’ Liam tutted. ‘I’ll have to get my own PR team to put in a good word with her.’
‘You have a PR team?’ Now it was my turn to be startled.
‘Only if you count Alice,’ he chuckled.
‘Ah, Alice,’ I said in a measured tone. ‘Yes, you have a bit of a fan there.’ No point in beating about the bush.
‘I gathered,’ said Liam, still looking amused. ‘She hasn’t stopped texting me about our impending double date.’
‘What?’ I squawked, nearly dropping the mango smoothie down my front.
‘Listen, Liam. As Alice is out of earshot, I have a confession to make. I’m not up for a double date.
I might be a widow and newly single, but I’m not in any rush to download the latest dating app or head off to some London club that welcomes middle-aged females who want to dance around their handbags. ’
Liam looked mystified.
‘Is that still a thing?’ he said.
‘I don’t know,’ I shrugged. ‘All I can tell you is what I said to Alice – that while Peter and I weren’t exactly together together, it isn’t fitting to have a blind date days after his funeral.
After all, I haven’t even collected Peter’s ashes from the undertaker,’ I confessed.
‘Not that I’m thinking of dating after they’ve been picked up,’ I added hastily.
‘Whoa,’ said Liam, putting up one hand. ‘Let’s rein back for a moment. I am aware that Alice has a tiny crush on me.’
‘Tiny?’ I snorted. ‘Sorry.’ My hand flew to my mouth.
‘That was remarkably indiscreet of me.’ I momentarily closed my eyes.
What was I like? First, dropping a clanger about the Starlight Society’s advertising campaign.
Second, dropping my friend in it over her mega crush on Liam.
‘Please don’t tell Alice that I said that. ’
‘I won’t,’ he assured. ‘But you really don’t need to feel guilty. I’d already sussed Alice’s feelings thanks to her being about as tactful as a steamroller in a crystal shop.’
‘Indeed,’ I grinned.
‘Have you known each other a long time?’
‘No, not at all,’ I sighed. ‘She’s a recent newcomer to Starlight Croft.
We kept bumping into each other and got chatting.
She’s a nice girl,’ I added quickly. ‘Just a bit, you know, determined when she’s set her sights on something – or someone.
’ I raised my eyebrows tellingly. ‘Anyway, enjoy your date with her, but perhaps you could let Ben know that I won’t be tagging along. ’
‘Listen, Jen.’ Liam leant forward, as if to share a confidence.
‘The thing is, Alice has got the wrong end of the stick. At no point was I ever arranging a double date between the four of us. If you remember, I wanted to thank you for your hospitality at your husband’s send off – something I still feel mortified about.
I asked you out for a drink as an apology for my crassness.
I also mentioned that I wanted to show Ben, an architect friend, Starlight Hall and then take him for a drink too.
I merely suggested that the three of us do this all together, but Alice promptly invited herself along too.
Ever since, she’s been referring to it as a double date.
But they’re her words. Not mine. That said, Ben is single.
Although I think he’s still finding his feet, emotionally speaking. ’
‘Look, there’s really no need to apologise or explain anything.
Regarding Peter’s wake, it was simply a misunderstanding on both sides.
And anyway, you’ve now bought me a mango smoothie.
So, you can tick off buying me a drink. It’s done!
’ I gave him a grateful smile. ‘Tell you what, why don’t you make Alice’s day and tell her the double date is off, but that you’d like to take her out instead? Just the two of you.’
Liam looked faintly amused.
‘Er, no. Thank you for the offer of organising my social life, but there’s really no need. Apart from anything else, Alice might be a good sort, but she’s not for me.’
‘Why?’ I frowned. ‘What’s wrong with her?’
‘Nothing,’ he laughed. ‘I’m sure she’s a great girl. She’s just not my type.’
‘Oh dear,’ I said, feeling let down on Alice’s behalf.
‘And anyway,’ Liam explained. ‘I recently met someone.’
‘O-Oh,’ I stammered, feeling inexplicably deflated.
I studied my half-drunk smoothie. Now, why should I feel bothered by Liam meeting someone?
It wasn’t like I wanted him. I’d already – inadvertently – stated my case, romantically speaking.
That of a new widow who was neither ready nor interested in new beginnings.
Not even with a rescue dog or stray cat.
Perhaps it would be well to repeat that mantra to myself a few times.
Drill it into my subconscious. I mustered up a cheerful expression.
‘I hope it goes well with your new lady.’
‘Me too,’ he grinned. His smile hit me like a heatwave and scorched every nerve in my body. ‘And don’t worry about Alice.’ He gave my hand a reassuring pat, causing fresh havoc within my central nervous system. ‘I’ll let her down gently.’