Page 42 of An Accidental Flatmate

Watching Casildo waiting to order, Bea reflected on his wide protective streak. She’d had to swallow her tears last night when he’d talked about what he wanted for Maha, what his hopes for love were.

Cas loved deeply, totally, endlessly. She wanted a man who’d love her like that, and she’d never said it aloud. Barely allowed herself to think it. And life held shadows and unexpected pitfalls and family. Yet a man like Casildo wouldn’t crowd or try to control her thoughts or actions. He planted seeds. Anna understood the game Bea was in, and they chatted work occasionally, but on a superficial level. Casildo demanded she stretch boundaries and test new ideas.

“What’s the job?” He sat down.

“Don’t know yet. I’m meeting the client at the Digital Print Show to chat.”

“I’m envious. The date popped up in my calendar. I’ve been mentally shifting projects to see if I can fit in a visit.”

“I’ll take photos for you.”

“Is that all you’ve got? Digital Print Show?” He nodded to the waiter who brought their coffees.

“A bit more, but that’s all I can share now.”

“I can’t get to the show this year, but I’ve got a consolation prize. A contact has offered me free tickets to the Lost Trades Fair in Bendigo, plus accommodation for a few nights. Someone dropped out at the last minute,” he said.

“That’s on my bucket list.” She flopped back in her chair.

“I’ve been a few times. I always learn something new. Not just about textiles, although they’ve got a Saori, free-form, weaver there this year that I’d like to see. They’ve also got woodworkers. I’ve learned a bit about wood since Anna’s brother-in-law is a carpenter.”

“Anna said the sideboard in the lounge is one of his. Her own Niall Quinn design.”

“He’s generous with family and friends. You have to be careful not to admire a piece or you might find it on your doorstep. He offered to help Hunt out with refurbishing the childcare centre when he thought Hunt was short of labourers.”

“I have a vague recollection of Anna mentioning some hiccup.” Anna hadn’t shared any details.

“It was a stuff-up with an order. The materials didn’t arrive, so no work could be done on the childcare centre. Despite being in a major snit at Hunt at the time, Anna sent her brother-in-law to offer help.”

“She just looks tough.”

“No, AnnaisToledo steel tough, and I bless her daily for that.” Casildo placed his hand on Bea’s arm. “Do you think you can wrangle a day’s leave at the end of this week?”

“What did you have in mind?” Bea held her breath, his light touch and the promise of a day with him sending her nerves skittering.

“I’ve got two tickets to the fair. Maha will swap her van for my car for the trip. It’ll take a day to get there, a day to see the show, and a day back, but the drive’s scenic in parts, and I can play you my full repertoire of jazz on the way. What do you think?”

“Are you inviting me?” she asked.

He swivelled his head from left to right. “I don’t know anyone else here, Beatriz.”

“Yes.” Bea sighed. Not a single one of her past dates had suggested an outing so close to her soul. “It’s a dream come true. What if I prefer country music?”

“Jazz on the way down, country on the way back.” He liked negotiating as much as she did. “And I’m making a sacrifice with that offer.”

“You’re on. And I was teasing about the country music.”

“Country music works in the country.” He shrugged.

“You”—Bea pointed a finger—"are such a city boy. Are we staying with your contact?”

“No, it was a package deal at a local motel; a combined promo for the show and Bendigo’s amenities.”

“Tell me more about the accommodation.” A holiday, a hotel and Casildo. “We don’t want any more crossed wires about accommodation.”

He pulled a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and handed her the printout of the information he’d been sent. “A two-bedroom unit. Small, but it’s all there in the fine print. They even have pictures.”

“Two bedrooms.” Bea glanced at the page, then at him, stifling the fantasy that had flashed into her head. Only rom-coms included a scene with one bed. “It looks legit.”

---