Page 71 of The Little Flower Shop By the Sea
I reach for my glass and am dismayed to find it empty.
‘I seem to be empty,’ I say, hoping Ash will take the hint.
‘Yeah, me too,’ he says, holding up his glass. ‘I’ll go up in a minute, they’re a bit busy at the moment.’
‘No, my round,’ I say, leaping up. ‘Same again?’
Ash doesn’t really have a chance to answer; I’ve already left.
I breathe a sigh of relief as I wait at the bar for Rita or Richie to see me. I should have known Ash would ask questions about Will. I should have been prepared.
The pub seems much busier tonight than it has been of late – and I’m surprised and pleased for Rita and Richie. They deserve success, they’re a lovely couple. Someone squeezes roughly into the space next to me, and I’m about to tell them to watch it, when I turn around to find it’s Jake.
‘Hi,’ he says looking uncomfortable at seeing me standing next to him. ‘I didn’t expect to see you in here tonight. Can I get you something?’
‘Er… no, I’m fine, thank you.’
Oh boy, this is awkward.I glance over at Ash, but he’s facing the other way.
‘Poppy, let me buy you a drink to make up for yesterday. We’re still mates, aren’t we?’
Jake seems anxious that I might say no.
‘Of course we are,’ I reply, relaxing a little. ‘Yesterday was just a silly mistake on my part. I’m sorry.’
‘Poppy, you’ve nothing to be sorry for.’ Jake places his hand over mine as it rests on the bar. But the contact is too much, and immediately I pull away.
‘How about I buyyoua drink,’ I say hurriedly, ‘just to show there’s no hard feelings. OK?’
Jake nods, but he looks dismayed at my rebuff.
‘What would you like?’ I ask, hoping Rita or Ritchie will hurry up and see me.
‘Myusual,’ Jake says, obviously surprised I have to ask. ‘A pint of Tribute.’
‘Yes, of course,’ I say. ‘Richie!’ I call, trying to attract his attention.
‘Yes, Poppy, what can I get you?’ Richie says, arriving at the bar in front of us. He looks startled to see Jake standing next to me. ‘Oh, you are with Jake, I knew Rita had got it wrong earlier when she said you were with —’
‘A pint of Tribute, a medium white wine, and a JD and Coke please, Rich,’ I say, cutting him off.
‘Ah, right… gotcha.’ He winks at me and begins pouring the drinks.
‘Three drinks, Poppy?’ Jake enquires. ‘Are you feeling particularly thirsty this evening?’
‘No, the other one is for someone else.’
‘But still no pint for you. Plus you’re wearing some colour. Golly, you must be out to impress!’ I know Jake is joking, and usually I’m much happier when things between us are light-hearted and flippant like this, but Jake is getting a bit too close to the truth.
‘No, I just wanted a change, that’s all.’
‘Nothing wrong in that, change is good.’ Jake smiles at me, and I turn away. This is getting more awkward by the second.
Richie finishes pouring my drinks and stands them in front of me. I pass him a twenty-pound note.
‘Yours, I believe.’ I slide Jake’s drink to him along the bar, and our fingertips touch as he goes to take the beer from me. Our eyes meet for a second over the top of the glass.
‘Cheers, Poppy,’ Jake says, lifting his pint and taking a sip. ‘So which is yours?’ he asks, looking at the two glasses in my hands.
