Page 51 of Five Things I Love About You

‘Do you want to just head home?’ he says.

I shake my head. ‘No, it’s fine. A drink sounds better. Oh, unless you need to get going?’

‘No, I’m all yours.’ He reddens and we both look away.

We lock our bikes together, hoping that will be enough to deter anyone who tries to steal them, and head inside. It’s a lovely traditional pub and, most importantly, it’s warm and dry. It should be a day for beer gardens and sunshine, but warm and dry are all I need after that soaking.

We head to the bar and order drinks. Matt insists on paying, and we take our bottle of wine and find a table tucked in the corner. It’s fairly quiet in here, just a couple of people playing a sedate game of pool and a few couples dotted around various tables – a typical Thursday afternoon.

‘So, how come you didn’t have to work today?’ I say.

‘I worked this morning and it’s pretty flexible, luckily. If there’s nothing to do, they don’t expect you to just sit around twiddling your thumbs. But then there are longer days when needed, so it all works out in the end.’

‘Sounds ideal.’

He takes a sip of wine and nods. ‘It is. And what about you? Aren’t you working this week?’

‘I only had Monday and Tuesday this week. But I’m working a couple of days next week too and there are aways last minute calls when teachers are off sick.’

‘And how is it?’

I shrug. ‘It’s fine. It’s tough because the kids don’t know you and you don’t know them, and some of them want to show you who’s boss. But I’ve been doing this job long enough not to be intimidated and I usually win in the end.’ I grin. ‘Not that it’s a competition of course.’

‘Course not.’ He grins back.

We sit in silence sipping our drinks and I wonder whether to mention the moment in the lighthouse. But then Matt says?—

‘Oh by the way, Debs said they finally had a couple of responses from your appearance on the show.’

It takes a couple of seconds for his words to filter into my brain, and I stare at him. ‘Oh, wow! Really?’

‘Yeah. She said to ask whether you wanted to know more. She was worried they might just be crackpots or something.’

‘Oh, right.’ I know I should feel excited, but Matt’s words have made me feel as though there’s a stone sitting in my belly.

‘You don’t seem very pleased.’

I look at him, try to read his expression, but it’s impossible. I wonder whether he plays poker. If not, he should. ‘No, sorry. It’s great news. Thank you. I mean, I doubt they’re anything but you never know, right? This could be the breakthrough I’ve been waiting for.’

‘Exactly.’ Matt sips his wine. ‘Debs also said she’s keen to speak to you for a follow-up if it does work out. You know, if you do find your guy.’ He doesn’t meet my eye.

‘Right, sure. Well, thank you.’

I pick at the corner of the menu, unsure what else to say. Matt seems to be searching for something in the bottom of his wine glass. A cheer from the pool table makes us both look round. A game has come to an end and they’re putting the cues back in the rack.

‘Want a game?’ I say.

‘Now?’

I flash him a smile. ‘Why not?’ It’s better than sitting here feeling awkward, I want to say, but don’t.

‘You any good? Because I have to warn you, I had a mis-spent youth playing snooker for hours at a time. I’m wouldn’t want to humiliate you.’

I stand, hands on my hips. ‘Is that a challenge, Matthew?’

He stands too. ‘I believe it is, Miranda.’

‘You’re on.’

---