Page 32 of Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea

Florrie expected him to break into a smile, or a laugh to show he was joking, and was surprised when he didn’t.

‘Just as well.’ Jasmine didn’t appear to be impressed.

‘Aye, it is.’ He flicked his limp ponytail over his shoulder. ‘Anyroad, I thought I should warn you it’s snowing out there so it might be a good idea to keep an eye on the weather.’

‘Thanks, Ando, that’s kind of you to let us know.’ Lark smiled up at him.

‘It is, thanks, Ando.’ Florrie smiled, too. He may be a bit of an overgrown daft lad sometimes, but he had a good heart.

‘You doing all right, Maggie?’ he asked, shuffling from foot to foot.

‘I’m fine and dandy, thanks, Ando.’ She smiled. He’d made a habit of checking she was okay since he’d witnessed a car accident she’d been in during the early stages of her pregnancy. He’d acted quickly, calling for an ambulance and contacting Florrie and Ed. The friends’ respect for him had grown considerably since that time, despite his tendency to act the goon when he’d had a few pints of Micklewick Magic.

‘Cool.’ He gave her a bashful smile.

Just then Immy, one of the waitresses, hurried over and threw a couple of logs onto the fire, sending sparks dancing up the chimney and the sweet smell of woodsmoke into the air. She turned, treating Jasmine to a knowing smile, before heading back towards the bar.

‘Aye, well, no probs.’ Ando loitered a moment longer as if toying with the idea of saying something else. The friends all regarded him with interest. ‘I was just gonna say, Jazz, that if you need walking home, I’d be happy to take you back, like. Thought we could maybe share a bottle of wine at your place, if you know what I mean?’ He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. ‘I’ve got one going spare back home, won it in a raffle. S’only cheap plonk, but I reckon it’ll be better than my home brew – you have no idea what that did to my guts last Friday.’ He gave a throaty laugh.

Jasmine listened, an array of horrified emotions crossing her face. Florrie daren’t make eye contact with the others for fear of bursting out laughing.

‘Erm, Ando, I?—’

Jasmine was cut off by her admirer. ‘We could stop off at my place and pick it up. I got a massive bag of crisps, an’ all – a couple of weeks past their sell-by date, but the booze should mask the stale taste. And I’ve got half a jar of pickled eggs that need eating up, which I opened last Christmas. It’d be a shame for ’em to go to waste.’

Hearing Maggie stifle a snort, Florrie pressed her lips together, keeping her eyes firmly fixed on Jasmine, whose expression had morphed to one of utter mortification at mention of the eggs.

‘Er, much as I appreciate your offer, Ando, I think I’ll pass, thanks.’ Jasmine forced a smile. Every week Ando propositioned her for a date and every week she turned him down.

‘Aye, right, well. Fair enough.’ He went to walk away but clearly had second thoughts. He turned and said, ‘I’ll just be at the bar if you change your mind. I reckon it’ll be the best offer you get tonight.’ With that he gave her a wink and sauntered his way back to the bar.

‘Did I just hear right?’ Jasmine glanced around at her friends who all collapsed into a fit of the giggles. ‘How does he know I won’t get a better offer, cheeky so-and-so? I can’t imagine anything worse than spending an evening with him and his cheap bottle of plonk that’s no doubt been doing the rounds with all the local raffles. It’ll be one that no one wants and keeps getting donated over and over again, more like vinegar than wine.’

‘It’ll go well with the pickled eggs, then, Jazz.’ Maggie could barely speak for laughing.

‘Don’t forget the stale crisps,’ said Stella.

‘Good point, and there’s his home brew,’ added Florrie.

‘Ugh! Don’t go there.’ Jasmine shook her head, her top lip curling in distaste. ‘And, please, no one mention what he said it did to his guts. I don’t even want to think about that!’

‘Yep, he sure knows how to treat a lady,’ Stella said, dryly.

‘Ahh, bless him,’ said Lark, tender-hearted as ever. ‘He means well, we shouldn’t laugh at him.’

‘You’re right, he does,’ agreed Maggie. ‘But someone should have a word about his approach. Maybe Alex could give him a few tips, Stells?’ She chuckled.

‘Where would he start?’ said Stella.

‘Why, though?’ Jasmine raised her palms in question, her eyes sweeping around the table. ‘Why me? What is it about me that says my idea of a date with a bloke is a night in, stuffing my face with past-their-best pickled eggs and swigging the remnants of his home brew, which if I remember rightly, he calls “Gut Rot”.Please, one of you tell me, I’m dying to know.’ She lookedat them imploringly, before joining in with their laughter. ‘And I’m not having a pop at Ando here, I’m just trying to get my head around why he thinks I’d find that appealing.’

‘To be honest, Jazz, I don’t think he appreciates how awful his offer sounds. I get the impression he just says the first thing that comes into his head, hoping that it’ll tempt you or that his persistence will eventually wear you down. He gets full marks for trying.’

‘Aye, well, I wish he flippin’ wouldn’t keep trying. I don’t have the time or the inclination for a fella in my life. The kids are my priority.’ Jasmine sighed and rolled her eyes. ‘Do you think he’s ever going to get the message?’

‘Doesn’t look like it’ll be any time soon, flower,’ said Florrie.

‘Anyroad, it’s not that long since he had the hots for you. How come he’s moved on to me?’

---