Page 30 of Right Place, Right Time
Still pondering these thoughts, I have a quick shower, put on some clean, comfortable clothes – a sweatshirt and leggings – then head back downstairs.
Adam is standing in the sitting room with a glass of water in his hand, looking at my bookcase.
‘All done,’ I tell him. ‘There are some clean towels in the bathroom downstairs for you when you’re ready.’
‘Thanks,’ he says, turning towards me. ‘I was just admiring some of your books. They’re first editions, aren’t they?’
‘Some of them are, yes. I used to buy them from the shop next door until it closed down. Gerald was very good at putting things he thought I might like aside for me.’
‘Is anything else opening in its place, do you know?’
‘I doubt it. When shops close down in Clockmaker Court, they rarely open up again. The building is usually sold and then rented out as offices or sometimes flats.’
Adam nods. ‘Right, I’ll go get my shower then, shall I? Any thoughts about food?’
‘Do you like Indian?’ I ask hopefully. ‘There’s a really good one not far from here.’
‘Love it!’ Adam says, picking up his bag and heading for the stairs.
‘Great, I’ll find us a menu.’
After Adam has showered, and we’ve ordered and then eaten our food, we sit in the lounge together – me curled up in the armchair and Adam on the sofa.
I’m currently in that contented sort of daze you get when you’re full from a really good meal, tired from a long day, but incredibly comfortable. I let out a long yawn.
‘Sorry,’ I tell Adam as I stretch my arms out. ‘I can hardly keep my eyes open now we’ve eaten.’
‘I know the feeling,’ Adam says, blinking hard. ‘That was really good food. I’m impressed.’
‘Glad you liked it.’
‘Do you have the number of a local taxi firm?’ Adam asks. ‘Or shall I call an Uber?’
I look at him sprawled out on my sofa and I know I’m going to regret in the morning what I’m about to say next. But we’ve had a couple of beers that Adam found in my cupboard and stuck in the fridge while I was showering, so the alcohol has only added to my hazy, comfortable feeling.
‘Why don’t you just stay?’ I say, looking at the discarded boxes and empty beer bottles on the coffee table in front of me. ‘We’ve already agreed on an early start tomorrow morning. It seems pointless you going back to the house tonight when I can just take you in the van in the morning.’
Adam looks surprised.
‘One of the spare rooms is already made up,’ I add, in case he’s got the wrong idea. ‘It’s no trouble.’
‘If you’re sure? Then, yes, that would be great. I’m glad I packed my toothbrush now.’
‘You packed a toothbrush?’ I ask, about to kick off about him being incredibly presumptuous.
‘Yes, I threw it in my bag with my change of clothes so I could freshen up. I didn’t expect to be staying overnight or anything.’
I narrow my eyes at him.
‘Honestly!’ He holds his hands up. ‘I know exactly what this looks like now you’ve invited me. But truly, I didn’t expect to be staying. I’ll admit I hoped we might go somewhere after we’d moved all the boxes and stuff, and I knewI’d want to freshen up before going out. No one likes the smell of sweaty armpits over dinner, now do they?’
‘That is true,’ I say, trying not to smile.
‘But, please believe me, the toothbrush was just part of that. Otherwise this just makes me look like some sort of sleaze who made assumptions about what might happen and packed his toothbrush just in case he got lucky. And I know you don’t think much of me. But I’d be mortified if you thought that.’
Adam looks genuinely worried as he awaits my answer.
‘What make you assume I don’t think much of you?’ I ask.
