Page 52 of The Winter We Met
‘Ha!’ My shoulders relaxed. ‘Remember that time I’d come into Misty’s for a drink after work and stayed for dinner? We’d had that random snowstorm during the day. It had melted by teatime. Those Snowflake Martinis you made were so popular…’
I flushed at the memory, having forgotten a detail of that night. I’d knocked my drink onto on the floor. Oliver had dashed over to mop it up. We’d both tried to pick up glass at the same time and as we straightened up our faces were really close. A ballad was playing in the background and I’d sensed us both hesitate for a second before pulling away and me being filled with… with a feeling of regret. Then he’d gently taken my hand as he’d spotted a splash of blood. I hadn’t wanted him to let go which was ridiculous.
‘Perhaps I should make some of those as well, on Friday night, along with the eggnog,’ he said brightly. ‘I’ve been thinking about snacks to put out, as well, and I might put together a drinks menu.’
‘Great idea. Anyway, back to that night, I left before you because I was worried about Buddy being on his own as it was October and people had started letting off fireworks. I had a horrible feeling on the way home that I was being followed and ran the last hundred metres. I heard on the radio the next day that a man had attempted to mug a woman.’ I shrugged. ‘So sometimes, I guess, a gut feeling is a good thing.’
Neither of us spoke for a moment.
‘How was Alice today?’
‘We discussed a potential residential home I’ve found, in Upperhyde – Darkthorn House. Gran’s agreed to visit but I’m worried about her, to be honest. This fall, it’s really knocked her back.’
‘If I’m not working I’ll go as well… if you want.’
‘That would be great.’
‘So, if you enjoyed today’s walk what’s this about itbeing a bit of a day?’
I put down my knife and fork. ‘This is great. What’s for pudding?’
‘Is it to do with Nik? What’s he done?’
‘Nothing,’ I said, trying not to feel irritated. ‘If you must know it was Lynn. She interrupted us when…’ I wiped my mouth. He’d actually put out napkins. ‘Look, Oliver. I like Nik and I won’t apologise for that. I don’t want to have to tiptoe around you over this.’
‘I… I don’t want that either,’ he said and pushed away his plate. ‘I’m here to talk if you want. Honest, Jess. I’ll try to put my own feelings aside. I don’t want there to be a taboo subject between us. So…?’
‘Okay, it’s just…I’m just very aware he’ll be leaving in a matter of weeks and I can’t find the opportunity to tell him… you know…’
‘How you feel?’
‘Yes. I took him up to Pebble Rock tonight, and it was lovely, but then Lynn came looking for us because we had the rucksack with her keys in.’ I sighed. ‘He spends more time with Glenda than me.’
Oliver sat a little straighter. ‘Really?’
‘He’s ever so good with her. She’s showing a side I’ve never seen. He’s been messaging her privately about the photo collection she’s co-ordinating.’
Oliver sat in silence.
‘You still think he’s some sort of conman, don’t you?’
‘I don’t know, Jess. Conman? His profile doesn’t precisely fit that. Most of the ones you read about create a whole new persona to attract women – a glamorous one indicating they’ve got money, a high-flying life, or they make themselves out to be some sort of hero like… like being ex-army or having saved someone’s life.’
I broke eye contact.
‘Nik hasn’t mentioned anything like that, has he?’
‘And what of it? Are you telling me that every hero in the world has made their story up?’
‘Of course not. I… I’m just interested.’
‘A couple of years ago he chased and managed to catch a kid who’d robbed a shop. He was the son of an Olympian, it turned out.’ I shook my head. ‘Nik didn’t even worry about the possibility of him carrying a knife.’
Oliver got up to clear the dishes and busied himself at the worktop, serving up one of my favourites – black cherry cheesecake. In an animated fashion, he talked about the mini bar he was going to set up at Willow Court’s party, and how he was considering offering a clementine mocktail as well. He didn’t mention Nik again but his unspoken accusations hung in the air, his lack of faith in my judgement reminding me of Mum’s boyfriends making her feel inferior.
He’d never made me feel like that before. We had always been each other’s cheerleaders – or so I thought.
Well, I wasn’t my mum. I didn’t put up with that kind of behaviour. After eating I insisted on doing the washing up and went straight to bed.
