Page 34 of Full Service

Something little felt like it had shifted inside me since we’d spoken. Since he’d acknowledged that we both obviously wanted each other. And now, contrary to us agreeing how things were going to be moving forward, I didn’t know how to act around him.

He sat right next to me in that little booth, one leg stretched lazily against my own as he effortlessly joined in the conversation. I zoned out, so focused only on the feeling of bothour legs pressed up against one another. I realised how warm my face felt, and unzipped and draped the coat over the back of the chair.

“Hey, I had a coat like that,” said Daniel absentmindedly. I froze momentarily. “Gave it to the charity shop last week.”

I didn’t know what to say. I wouldn’t ever admit to being ashamed of buying at a charity shop, but then again I’d never normally admit to buying from charity shops in the first place.

“You had that on a few weeks ago, didn’t you?” said James. He raised one eyebrow as he looked me dead in the eyes. “I remember you wearing it when you first came into the cafe.”

“Yeah, I did. Must have the same sense of style,” I said, hoping I wasn’t being too obvious. I felt Macsen shift next to me.

“What are you doing in town?” I asked Macsen quietly as conversation turned towards some kind of competition Daniel was holding in the hotel in a couple of months’ time.

“Y’know, you were late,” he muttered. “I just…wanted to check on you. The café was closed and you weren’t at Prentis’ house.”

I felt my cheeks flush with heat again despite the lack of coat. He’d gone over to my uncle’s house to check on me? “That’s…” I wanted to saysweet, but I thought maybe surly, masculine Macsen wouldn’t take it as the compliment that I intended. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“No worries,” he grunted. He looked back toward the group and I realised we’d been pulled back into the conversation.

“How’s business, Mac? Want us to send anyone your way?” asked Daniel.

“Nope, plenty busy. All good.”

I knew that things had slowed down hugely in the run up to Christmas, so I nudged him. But he didn’t correct himself and it wasn’t my place to force him to work more.

“I’m off for a fag, fancy joining me?” James gave me yet another pointed glance. I nodded, unsure of where this was going.

“You don’t smoke,” said Llywelyn to James, at the same time Macsen said it to me. Eyes across the table shifted to Macsen, and he picked up his beer to take a large swig, ignoring them as pointedly as he could. James stood, forcing me and Macsen to stand. He pushed me from the booth, grabbing both of our coats as he walked.

Outside was freezing now the sun was down, and a couple of locals were smoking outside. James handed me my coat to out on and I hung it over my shoulders.

“You too, then?” he said.

“Me too?”

“Another lonely stray. Here with nothing.”

“How do you know that?”

“I helped Daniel decide what to put in the charity bag, and that coat has a button I sewed back on personally to make sure it was presentable.”

“So what if I bought it from a charity shop?” I asked, almost choking on my own hypocrisy.

“So what is I saw how uncomfortable you are with the question. In this town, if you ask someone where they bought their jacket, cheap is a point ofpride. But I had money in London too. And I know how difficult it can be to adjust to small town life.”

“Adjust? I’mfrom here,” I said.

“I know. But you’re still adjusting. But you’ve been snared, haven’t you? The way you look at Macsen is exactly how I realised Llywelyn looked at me. That’s what made me stay here.”

“Nah. It’s not for me, I left here a long time ago, and I love London.”

“Whatever you say,” replied James. “I just brought you out here to let you know I’m here to talk. And that Macsen is looking at you like a fucking snack.”

“Sweet Jesus.” I sighed as I followed James back into the stifling warmth of the pub. Macsen shifted to allow James back into the booth, but moved to sit back down quickly so that I was forced to the outside of the bench rather than on the inside. Daniel and Tudor weren’t present, and James had practically sat himself down on Llywelyn’s lap. When I was younger Llywelyn hadn’t seemed the romantic type but now I couldn’t see him being anything but. He was a safe pair of very large hands for James, and that seemed to be exactly what James needed.

I looked at Macsen, and he was looking at them both with a completely inscrutable expression. Was he jealous? Disgusted? I reached past him to grab my beers, and when I moved back into position I placed one pinky finger over his hand. He didn’t even look at me, but his pinky moved to link with my own. James shouted over at something in the crowd and we both broke apart.

“Shots! Shots! Shots!” Daniel and Tudor were pushing their way through the crowd with two trays full of various alcoholic beverages, and I rolled my eyes.

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