Page 27 of The Big Dip in Crumbleton
‘Hello?’
Had she somehow managed to conjure him up by simply thinking about him?
‘It’s me!’ came a cheerful voice. ‘I mean… it’s Libby! I come bearing gifts!’
‘Come on in,’ shouted Scarlett. ‘The door’s unlocked.’
‘Erm… can you open it for me?’ laughed Libby. ‘My hands are a bit full.’
Scarlett scrambled off the bed and quickly double-checked she was decent before opening the door.
Pete’s little sister stood on the porch, arms laden with a large tray.
‘What’s all this?’ Scarlett laughed in surprise as she stepped out of the way.
‘Pete sent me,’ said Libby, crossing to the kitchenette and placing the heavy tray on the table. ‘He thought you might need warming up after your swim, and he told me he hadn’t left you anything to eat… or any milk!’
‘Well, that’s true,’ laughed Scarlett. ‘But looking at this lot, I think I might just let him off the hook!’
The tray was loaded with a steaming bowl of soup, a stack of toasted sandwiches that smelled divine, an entire basket full of assorted pastries, and several takeaway cups.
‘What’s in these?’ said Scarlett.
‘Tea, cappuccino, hot chocolate,’ said Libby, pointing to each one in turn. Then she nodded at a little cardboard box. ‘There’s a bunch of different teabags and coffee sachets in there, too. Oh… and I swiped this for you.’ She unhooked a pint bottle of semi-skimmed milk from her finger and added it to the tray.
‘You’re a hero,’ said Scarlett.
‘Hardly,’ laughed Libby. ‘It’s the least I could do after you bailed us out this morning. Anyway, it was all Pete’s idea. I can’t really take any credit.’
‘That’s… incredibly thoughtful of him,’ said Scarlett, genuinely touched.
‘That’s my brother for you,’ said Libby with a grin. ‘He tries to act all grumpy and mysterious, but he’s really a big softy.’
Scarlett felt a warm glow spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the heat of the woodburner or the hot shower.
‘He said to tell you he’s sorry he didn’t bring it over himself. He muttered something about doing errands,’ said Libby, rolling her eyes. ‘He was being weirdly secretive. Probably just dashing around, trying to find something decent to wear for the dance tonight.’
‘The dance?’ said Scarlett, trying to sound casual and probably failing miserably, judging by Libby’s knowing smirk.
‘Yep. He told me you’re going with him?’ She raised a questioning eyebrow.
‘He offered me a lift,’ Scarlett clarified, ‘as he’s already taking you over.’
Libby sniggered. ‘That’s what he told you? Don’t get me wrong, I think dad’s chuffed he’s off the hook as taxi driver?—’
‘Wait a sec,’ said Scarlett. ‘He wasn’t going to go?’
Libby snagged one of the toasties from the top of the stack and took an enthusiastic bite as she shook her head.
‘Let’s just say he’s got some bad history with this whole event,’ she said around a mouthful of hot cheese and ham. ‘It’s basically a miracle he’s going this evening!’
Scarlett frowned. ‘I hope I’m not making things awkward for him. I mean… I didn’t mean to force him to go…’
‘Are you kidding?’ Libby laughed. ‘You’re the best thing that’s happened to him in ages. When he told me you were going with him, he was practically skipping on the spot.’
Scarlett’s heart did a funny little flip. ‘He was?’
‘Don’t tell him I said that, though,’ said Libby, nodding. ‘He’d kill me! But yeah, he’s walking around with this goofy smile on his face. Mum thinks he’s coming down with something.’
