The Hangman’s Hold. Michael Wood

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СКАЧАТЬ but it wasn’t easy. Why did she keep looking at him? ‘We were told there was going to be someone important visiting the school. We all thought it would probably be some reality TV so-called celebrity the kids would go crazy over but none of the teachers would recognize. I was halfway through my lesson when there was a knock on the door and in walked Michelle Obama.’

      ‘You’re joking!’ Adele gasped.

      ‘No word of a lie. It was incredible. She had all these security people with her with their dark glasses.’

      ‘Did you actually talk to her?’

      ‘I did. She sat in on the lesson for a while and watched the kids read then she came over and spoke to me. She asked where I was from and joked about my accent.’

      ‘What was she like?’

      ‘She was lovely. Very warm, welcoming, easy to talk to. She genuinely seemed interested.’

      ‘That’s brilliant. I love Michelle Obama,’ Adele said. ‘I’ve never met anyone famous. Well, no one alive anyway,’ she said, thinking back to a former soap star she once had on her pathology table.

      ‘No one alive? What are you, pathologist to the stars?’

      ‘Something like that.’ She smiled.

      ‘I bet you have a few stories to tell.’

      ‘Plenty. And not a single one of them appropriate over dinner,’ she said as the waitress arrived with their first course.

      He looked over again at the woman. This time, she gave a hint of a smile and nodded her head at him. It was a knowing smile and he didn’t like it. Then, the penny dropped. Of course, she’d trimmed his hair this morning. Crisis averted.

      ‘Is this the first time you’ve used a dating website?’ Brian asked once the coffee had arrived at the end of their meal.

      ‘Yes. I was extremely nervous about it, if I’m honest. I’m not used to putting my life on a website like that. It was strange. We put so much of ourselves on the Internet, don’t we? I dread to think what will come up if I ever google myself.’ She smiled.

      Brian googled himself on an almost daily basis. His life was laid bare for everyone to pore over. Fortunately, there wasn’t a recent photograph of him. Besides, who would be looking for him in Sheffield?

      ‘I know what you mean. Finding seventy-five words to describe yourself is harder than you expect. And I was suddenly very self-conscious about my height,’ he laughed.

      ‘I had a half-hour debate with my son over my eyes. I think they’re blue; he thinks they’re green.’

      Brian leaned forward. ‘They’re definitely blue. A lovely warm blue.’

      Adele blushed.

      ‘So.’ Brian sat back, obviously uncomfortable. ‘Why decide to do it now?’

      ‘Well, Chris doesn’t need looking after anymore. I’ve got my life back. Unfortunately, the world has changed since I last went on a date. This seems to be the way of doing things now. What about you? Wasn’t there anyone in America?’

      ‘No. Well, there were a few dates, but never anything long-lasting.’

      ‘Would you have stayed out there if there had been?’

      ‘I’m not sure. The longer I was there the more I missed England.’ He paused, ‘I’ve really enjoyed this evening, Adele. You’ve made me laugh for the first time in ages.’

      Adele blushed as she smiled. ‘That’s kind of you to say, thank you.’

      ‘Would you like to meet up again?’

      ‘Yes. I’d like that.’

      The bill arrived, and they agreed to pay half each without any argument. When they left, the temperature had dropped, and Adele shivered. Brian helped her with her coat and they made eye contact. He leaned in and kissed her on the lips. It lingered for a few seconds before Adele pulled away.

      ‘Sorry,’ he said.

      ‘No … I just …’

      ‘That’s OK. I understand. Take things slowly.’

      ‘Exactly. You don’t mind?’

      ‘No. Of course not. May I walk you to your car?’

      ‘I’m getting a taxi home.’

      ‘I’ll walk you to the taxi rank then.’

      They shared another brief kiss at the taxi, and Brian closed the door once Adele was safely inside. As it pulled away from the kerb she turned back and waved. Brian waited until the taxi had turned the corner before he headed for the car park. He took out his mobile and opened up the photos app. He scrolled through the pictures he had taken of Adele standing outside the City Hall before they’d met. She smiled at a passer-by. She looked at her watch. She looked left and right, then left again. She paced. She checked the time once more. There was a reason he was a few minutes late. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

      Adele sat back in the taxi and found she had a silly smile on her face. She had just had the best date of her life. Brian was charming, funny, intelligent, and he didn’t seem to mind that she’d turned away from the kiss when his tongue started to intrude. She took her phone out of her bag and began sending a message.

       On my way home. Great night. Brian was lovely.

      The reply from her best friend, Matilda Darke, was almost instant.

       Is he going home with you?

       No he isn’t. I’m not that kind of woman.

       You used to be, lol.

       I’ve grown up a lot since then.

       Will you be seeing him again?

       Yes. I liked him a lot.

       Any tongue action?

       My lips are sealed.

       Spoil sport.

       We kissed. Twice. No tongue.

       Hot! I hope he wore protection, lol.

      ‘I can’t park on your road, I’m afraid,’ the taxi driver said, interrupting Adele’s text conversation.

      ‘Sorry?’

      ‘There’s traffic on both sides and if this sodding Audi behind me gets any closer he’ll be performing a colonoscopy.’

      Adele looked out of the back window but could see nothing but the bright headlights. ‘That’s fine. Park around the corner. I can walk.’

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