Page 36 of Coming Home to Crumbleton

Oh hell… she’d agreed to spend the day with him. What on earth had possessed her?!

Ruby didn’t have to look too far for the answer to that question - she’d have said pretty much anything to wriggle out of that awkward moment outside the City Gates last night.

Ruby blew out a long breath. A whole day together… what would they do? After all, there wasn’t that much in Crumbleton to keep you occupied… unless you were a pair of teenagers, of course. Back then, they’d somehow managed to while away entire weekends at a time – but she somehow doubted she’d end up snogging the day away on a picnic blanket in Crumbleton Clump!

Just the thought of it made Ruby shiver, and she turned and buried her face to hide the soppy smile that had just appeared out of nowhere. Even now, the thought of sneaking around with Oliver Evans – school sports hero - was thrilling. She still couldn’t believe this little nerd had somehow managed to capture his attention.

Oli had always been popular. He’d been sports captain and part of every single team their school had - but where he’d really shown exceptional talent was on the running track. He’d won practically every race he entered - and ended up being national youth champion many times over. It didn’t matter how well he did, though - his father had always pushed him to do more… be better… train, train, train!

‘Idiot,’ muttered Ruby, clambering out of bed. She knew she should feel bad that Mr Evans had passed away, but it was hard to feel any kind of sympathy for the man who’d guilt-tripped her into cutting Oli out of her life.

But… maybe you can fix it?

Ruby shook her head. It was a dangerous thought, and one she hadn’t let herself go anywhere near for a very long time.

Grabbing her bag, Ruby threw it onto the bed and started to rummage through the small selection of clothes she’d brought with her. Yanking out her least shabby tee shirt and a soft green cardigan, she stared at them for a long moment before shrugging. They’d have to do - after all, Oli already knew what she looked like. He was more than aware that she was the polar opposite of fancy.

Besides, this wasn’t really a date, was it? He might have bought her flowers, but she wasn’t about to kid herself that he had any intentions towards her other than catching up properly. At least… she was pretty sure that’s what his intentions were.

Last night’s skinny jeans… converse… tee shirt… cardigan. It would have to do. She was saving her little black dress for her signing tomorrow. Just the thought of the event made Ruby shudder, and she quickly put it out of her mind. If she wasn’t careful, she’d just spend the entire day tied up in a big knot of nerves about it otherwise.

Clutching the threadbare towel her mum had handed her the previous night, Ruby headed out of her bedroom, praying the bathroom would be free. Perhaps the wrath of her parents’ temperamental over-bath shower might knock some sense into her.

She’d just locked the door, propped her mobile against the tiles at the back of the sink, and was busy clambering out of her tartan pyjamas when the phone buzzed.

Hey you - how do you fancy meeting me for lunch today? I’ll drive us down to the restaurant at Crumbleton Sands! Let me know? C x

Ruby stared at it for a long moment. There it was - the ready-made excuse she’d been praying for. It was the perfect reason to blow off this date with Oli. A huge part of her really wanted to say yes. She’d missed spending time with Caroline, and lunch with her would be fun, easy, and long overdue. But… being back in Crumbleton wasn’t about being fun and easy, was it?

Ruby chewed her lip for a long moment, staring at the screen… and then decided that perhaps she’d better be honest with herself for what felt like the first time in a very long time.

As nervous as she was about today, a part of her knew she needed to talk to Oli. She’d been frozen in time for far too long. She needed closure… and if that’s all she got out of today, then it would be worth it.

Taking a deep breath, Ruby replied to the message with shaking fingers.

Can’t, sorry. Long overdue conversations to be had with you know exactly who. See you at the signing tomorrow. R x

Oli had asked her to meet him at the café – and in classic Ruby style, she was ten minutes early. Crossing the cobbles, she stopped briefly in front of the window and peered inside. There wasn’t any sign of him yet. If she wanted to back out, now was her last chance!

Much to Ruby’s surprise, she realised that the uneasy sensation in her stomach wasn’t nerves or fear anymore… it was excitement. She wouldn’t be backing out now.

Grabbing her mobile from her back pocket, she glanced at the screen. Nothing.

‘Huh,’ she muttered. She’d expected some kind of response from Caroline - even if it was just a thorough ribbing – but she hadn’t heard a squeak. Shrugging, she thrust the phone back into her pocket. No doubt her friend would demand a thorough de-brief after her day with Oli. As long as she didn’t ask for it right in the middle of the signing tomorrow, Ruby was up for it.

‘Morning Ruby!’

Ruby jumped and looked around. ‘Mrs Prescott!’

The once-familiar face of her favourite primary school teacher was beaming at her. ‘I cannot wait to hear you talk about your book tomorrow.’

‘You’re coming?’ said Ruby, as the familiar awkwardness started to creep over her.

‘I wouldn’t miss it, Ruby,’ she said, her smile growing even wider. ‘I always knew you’d do something special. I have to say, I’m incredibly proud of you.’

‘Thanks,’ mumbled Ruby, shaking her head by force of habit. ‘It’s nothing really…’

‘Don’t do that,’ said Mrs Prescott gently, shaking her head. ‘Don’t make something so magnificent smaller than it deserves to be. You’ve achieved something remarkable - and I’m excited to see what’s next!’

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