Page 25 of Coming Home to Crumbleton

Spoilsport.

CHAPTER 12

OLI

‘You need a hand there, Boss?’

Oli had just tried – and failed – to get through the doorway of the Dolphin and Anchor. He looked up to find Kendra, his Saturday girl, staring at him

‘Actually – yes please!’ he laughed, feeling like an idiot. ‘I’m… stuck!’

He really should have made two trips instead of opening the door with his butt while hefting a heavy picnic basket in one hand and trying to keep a jug full of a dozen yellow roses from slipping out of the other. He’d thought he’d just about got away with it when something caught on the door handle and he’d bounced backwards like he was attached to a bungee cord. The resulting crash had made every single person in the bar turn towards him – local and tourist alike.

‘Here!’ said Kendra, dashing towards him and taking the roses before they ended up on the floor.

‘Cheers!’ he said, squirming on the spot. ‘Erm… I think I’m attached to the door!’

Kendra placed the roses on the nearest table and then quickly got to work on unhooking his jumper from the handle. He had to hand it to her – she was just about managing to keep a straight face – no mean feat for the fun-loving eighteen-year-old. He had a feeling she wouldn’t let him live this down any time soon, though. He was already dreading the weekend!

Kendra worked at the bookshop every Saturday - but Oli wasn’t the only person in Crumbleton she called “Boss”. Her easy-going nature and willingness to help meant that she was in high demand and had about four different jobs. She was a hard worker, reliable and ridiculously popular - with the local businesses and their customers alike.

‘Thanks!’ said Oli as soon as she’d managed to free him from the door. His face was hot and he did his best not to meet Kendra’s eye. She was busy making a valiant attempt not to giggle. ‘Erm – would you mind bringing the flowers over to the table? I’m not sure I trust myself not to cause more havoc!’

‘Sure,’ said Kendra, with a grin. ‘Brilliant entrance there, by the way… very smooth!’

‘Oh hush!’ muttered Oli, returning her smile.

Kendra grabbed the jug of flowers and gave them a deep sniff. ‘Blimey boss – these are proper fancy. You didn’t have to, you know!’

‘Not for you,’ he chuckled.

Why did Oli suddenly get the feeling he was going to regret his choice of venue? Asking Ruby to meet him at the Dolphin and Anchor was never going to afford them any privacy - but he’d hoped it might help her feel a bit more comfortable than inviting her back to his little flat above the shop. What he hadn’t banked on was Kendra being behind the bar.

The girl in question was now ushering him past a line of locals nursing their pints at the bar, towards a little table set for two. Oli breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it was in a relatively quiet corner, underneath the dartboard. They’d have to move if Brian Singer turned up for a game against himself, but as far as Oli could remember – that wasn’t due to happen until tomorrow night.

‘So, who’s the mystery woman?’ said Kendra in excitement, watching as Oli plonked the basket onto the table and then slid into one of the chairs. ‘Actually – don’t answer that. I love a good bit of suspense mixed in with my romance… there’s nothing like a real-life rom-com coming to life in front of my very eyes.’

‘Wow – you read too much!’ muttered Oli, shooting a quick glance towards the door to double-check that Ruby hadn’t appeared yet. He really didn’t need her overhearing the term “rom-com” right now – it was clear she was already a flight risk!

‘As the town’s bookseller, that’s possibly your worst line ever,’ said Kendra, looking mildly affronted.

‘Yeah – okay – good point!’ said Oli. ‘And you know I’d never mean it, right? Sorry to disappoint you though, but this is just a business meeting.’

‘Yeah, riiiiiight!’ she smirked, looking pointedly at the flowers again. ‘What are these about, then?’

‘A nice gesture for a visiting author,’ said Oli tightly, sliding the jug across the table so they were slightly less prominent.

‘Visiting author?’ said Kendra.

Her usually low, sultry voice had just risen to a squeak, and Oli glanced up at her only to find that she was practically bouncing with excitement.

‘Kendra…’ started Oli, a warning note in his voice.

‘Are you… are you talking about Ruby Hutchinson?’ she breathed.

‘Yes,’ sighed Oli. There was no point denying it considering she’d hopefully be here in the next few minutes.

Oli bit his lip. This was quite possibly the worst idea he’d ever had. His Saturday girl was obsessed with Ruby. He could understand it – Kendra was a die-hard bookworm and Ruby’s debut was, quite frankly, stunning. But - he was still having a hard time reconciling funny, sweet, slightly shy Ruby he’d known all those years ago with the genius who’d written the book. It wasn’t a surprise to discover she had so much talent – it just wasn’t the first thing that popped into his head when he let himself think about Ruby.

---