Page 7 of Your Carriage Awaits in Crumbleton
Thankfully, everything seemed to be holding together. Just about.
‘Right then,’ he said, trying to sound casual and professional rather than like a teenager who’d just been handed the keys to a Ferrari. ‘Where were you headed?’
‘Crumbleton.’
The word came out as a sigh, and Danny glanced across at her. Michelle looked miserable as she focused on the dog, and something was telling him there was more going on here than a simple breakdown.
‘You… erm… staying with your parents at the moment?’
She nodded.
‘Your dad’s going to love this,’ he added under his breath.
‘Sorry?’ said Michelle, glancing over at him.
‘Nothing,’ said Danny quickly. ‘Just thinking out loud.’
Danny had never really understood the feud between their families, but this clearly wasn’t the moment to bring it up. Just becausehewas convinced it was ridiculous to drag around some decades-old grudge, it didn’t mean Michelle felt the same way. Hell, for all he knew, his slightly soggy passenger might loathe him on principle.
Perhaps he’d better just keep his mouth shut and get her to her parents’ place. He’d just have to hope Brian wouldn’t catch him in the act!
Still, of all the people to rescue tonight, it had to be Brian Singer’s daughter. The one girl in Crumbleton who’d been completely off-limits since… well, forever. The one girl he’deverwanted.
Not that Danny had ever dared to do anything about his ridiculous crush. Michelle Singer had always been way too good for him. She was gorgeous, funny, and kind to everyone she met. She was the sort of girl—woman—who helped old ladies with their shopping, and baked cupcakes for people on their birthdays.
‘So,’ said Danny, desperate to fill the awkward silence and put a smile on her face, ‘been anywhere nice today?’
The moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to kick himself.Been anywhere nice?What was this, a bloody taxi service small-talk special?
Michelle let out a mirthless laugh. ‘Oh, you know… just a delightful jaunt to collect the last of my worldly possessions from my ex’s place.’
Ex?
Danny’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. Michelle was single? Since when?
What had happened to the prat she’d moved away with? Lawrence something-or-other. Danny had done his best not to spend too much time wondering why someone as amazing as Michelle would pick a knobber like that.
Danny had only seen the guy once or twice, but that had been enough. He’d been wearing loafers with tassels and a cream jumper knotted around his shoulders. The idiot was like a walking red flag. He’d looked like the sort of bloke who’d never crawled under a Ford Transit in his life.
But it wasn’t the posh-boy costume that had turned Danny’s stomach. It was the way he’d stared at a bunch of teenage girls outside the sweet shop. That look had made Danny’s skin crawl, and he’d had to suppress the urge to head straight over and rearrange the pretty boy’s face for him.
‘So… yeah,’ muttered Michelle, yanking his attention back to the present. ‘My day’s been absolutely magical. A real barrel of laughs. Nothing quite like packing your life into cardboard boxes while dodging the bloke who decided his secretary made a better Tuesday night distraction than the golf club.’
‘Ouch.’ Danny winced. ‘Sorry.’
What kind of idiot would cheat on Michelle Singer? Danny had always imagined that if he ever got lucky enough to be with someone like her, he’d spend every day trying to prove he deserved her. The idea that the prick had actually had that chance and thrown it away was completely mental.
‘Not your fault,’ said Michelle with a shrug. ‘Though I have to say, getting stranded in a flood wasn’t exactly on my list of ways to improve the day.’
‘Well, look on the bright side,’ said Danny, splashing through yet another massive puddle, ‘at least you got to meet Elvis.’
As if on cue, Elvis lifted his head from Michelle’s lap and gave Danny a look that clearly saidyou’d better be nice to my new best friend.
‘He’s lovely,’ said Michelle, scratching behind Elvis’s ears. ‘How long have you had him?’
‘About a year now,’ said Danny. ‘He started turning up in the yard around the garage and kipping in the abandoned showroom next door. We reckon he was dumped.’
‘Poor baby!’ Michelle crooned. The tone of her voice made Danny’s stomach flip.
