Mills & Boon Christmas Delights Collection. Rebecca Winters

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СКАЧАТЬ What a lovely surprise! We haven’t seen you in here for a few weeks now.’ Linda the landlady beamed. Her gaze locked behind me and I had a pretty good idea as to what, or rather who, had caught her eye. ‘And now I can see exactly what’s been keeping you busy. Good Lord, I don’t blame you. You know darlin’, our food is great here, but if it’s a choice between that and staying and in bed with him…’ She’d dropped her voice to a whisper. Unfortunately, in order to allow for the general chatter of the pub, this was still pretty much normal volume for most people, which meant I was fairly sure Michael had heard every word. ‘So, what I can get you?’

      I looked round at Michael.

      ‘Just a coke for me, thanks.’

      ‘And a lime and soda for me, please. And do you have a table for two?’

      ‘When for? Now?’

      ‘If possible,’ I smiled, hopeful. I didn’t want to wait too long to get to the rescue centre so that we would still have plenty of time to take Rooney out before it got dark.

      Linda patted my hand and gave me a wink. ‘Leave it to me,’ she said, giving Michael a broad smile which he returned before she disappeared off to the restaurant side of the pub.

      ‘She seems nice.’

      ‘Mmmhmm,’ I agreed, hoping that he hadn’t picked up on what Linda clearly thought was going on.

      ‘You’ve been here a few times, then?’

      ‘We come as a group sometimes, all the rescue centre workers and volunteers. Linda has had a couple of rescues from us and she’s great at finding people who might be looking for a new pet too, so she’s a great resource.’

      ‘Looks like she’s got us a table,’ Michael said as Linda waved at us across the room.

      ‘Great. I’m starving.’

      ‘That’s what happens when you don’t have bacon sarnies in bed,’ Michael whispered close to my ear as he bent to avoid another beam.

      I looked round and his eyes were dancing with laughter. He wiggled his eyebrows and I couldn’t help laughing.

      ‘Harlot,’

      ‘I try.’

      I shook my head and scooched into the corner seat by the window that Linda had found us. Michael took the one opposite.

      ‘Do you know what you want or do you want some time to look at the menu?’ Linda asked.

      ‘I’m going to have one of your Sunday roasts, but Michael might want a few minutes to look.’

      ‘No, I’m fine. If she says the roasts are good, that’s enough recommendation for me. I’ll have the same.’ He smiled and Linda nodded, a big grin on her face. Taking the menus off the table, she turned to me.

      ‘I’ll put a rush on them,’ she said, then walked off, fanning herself with the menu.

      I couldn’t help but laugh.

      ‘Sorry,’ I said, not quite able to look at him.

      ‘What for?’

      ‘Linda’s…misconceptions.’

      ‘Why should you be sorry?’

      I shrugged my shoulders. ‘I don’t know. Just seems a little awkward.’

      The drinks arrived and I gratefully took advantage of the distraction.

      ‘Don’t worry about it. The fact that she thinks we’re ordering quickly so that I can get you back to bed doesn’t do my ego any harm.’

      I felt my mouth drop open. Michael’s lips teased a smile at my expression.

      ‘I don’t think your ego is ever in any danger.’

      Michael did a maybe yes maybe no head wobble and took a sip of his drink.

      ‘I’m sorry if it’s made you feel uncomfortable though. I can put her right if it’ll make you feel better.’

      I lifted my eyes. His face was serious.

      ‘Katie – ’

      ‘Two roast beef with all the trimmings,’ the waitress announced before lowering the plates and catching sight of my lunch companion. At which point, his plate went down on the table and the contents of mine went on my lap. Stuck in the corner, I couldn’t jump up quick enough and, shit, that gravy was hot!

      ‘Oh my God!’ the waitress shrieked as she realised what she’d done. ‘I’m so sorry! Are you OK? Can I get you a cloth?’

      ‘Take both of those back to the kitchen Emily,’ Linda said, bustling up. Like any good landlady, she had eyes everywhere and had obviously seen the mishap. I, meanwhile, had wiggled out of the window seat and was now frantically wiping at my jeans to remove food detritus. In my hurried attempts to get out of my seat, I’d also managed to knock over my drink, which although making the mess worse had at least stopped the burning sensation from the gravy, so silver linings and all that. Linda handed me more napkins and, after a few minutes, I had at least got the worst off. My jeans felt cold next to my skin, I felt a complete idiot and I was still starving. But apart from that, everything was just peachy.

      ‘I’ll go and get you both new meals. I’m so sorry Kate. Of course, all of this is on the house.’

      ‘No Linda please. It was an accident. I want to pay.’

      ‘Too bad. I’m not taking your money. Now, I’ve found a table nearer the fire, it’ll help dry you out.’

      ‘No, really. We’re fine here. Honestly.’

      ‘This table is booked. Sorry, my mistake. That one by the fire is the only one free.’

      I gave Linda a look as we changed tables and she smiled.

      ‘I’m never coming here again, you know that?’ I said.

      ‘Sure, sure. Now, here you go. Isn’t that better?’

      It was, I had to admit.

      ‘Now, I’ll be right back with your food and another drink for you. Do you want anything else sweetheart?’ Linda directed her question to Michael.

      ‘No, I’m good thanks.’

      She smiled. ‘I bet,’ she winked at me and headed off to the kitchen.

      ‘Are you OK?’ Michael asked once she’d gone.

      ‘Yes, yes,’ I said, waving the enquiry away, trying to pretend I wasn’t horribly embarrassed at the whole scenario.

      ‘You really don’t like people making a fuss of you, do you?’

      ‘It’s not that. I was just fine where we were.’

      ‘Katie СКАЧАТЬ