Page 44 of A Not So Quiet Christmas
“Yes, please,” I replied, glad of the offer. “I wasn’t planning on getting properly started until after Christmas, but I had hoped to collect a few items while I’m here, in readiness.”
“New year, new start?”
“More like new year, needs must. That’s why I bought Violet.”
“Violet?”
“My van. In case I come across anything.”
“I did wonder. Most city folks turn up in fancy cars. Range Rovers with pristine tyres, nothing like the muddied up four-by-fours the locals drive.”
I giggled. I couldn’t afford a swanky car even if I’d wanted one. Unlike Jules and Harry. I wondered what the locals would have made of them had they been able to make the trip. Hers and Harry’s car wasn’t quite the SVAutobiography, but compared to Violet, it was certainly up there. “There’s nothing fancy about me, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Oliver said, keeping his eyes firmly on mine as he put his mug to his lips and drank.
I felt myself blush and while a part of me insisted the man was simply teasing again, a part of me felt sure he wasn’t. Needing the diversion, I picked up my own cup to hide behind.
“So how are you finding our little village? Have you managed to do much exploring since…?”
While glad the conversation had moved swiftly on, I continued to redden thanks to the Fotherghyll Fell reference. Despite doing my best to forget the whole incident, I kept being reminded of it.
“We could try again?” he said, tentative. “Go somewhere different?”
I looked back at the man, my face deadpan. “I take it by different, you mean flat?”
Oliver bit down on his lip and I knew he was trying not to laugh. “I do,” he replied. “No hills or mountains involved.”
“Around here?” I said. The man had clearly forgotten we were in the Yorkshire Dales. Besides, having embarrassed myself in front of Oliver enough times already, I wasn’t sure I could risk an opportunity to do it again.
“Have a think about it,” Oliver said. He put his cup down and stood up to leave. “I’m sure between us we can find something to do that we’d both enjoy.”
As Oliver held my gaze, I took in his blond hair, green eyes, and gorgeous physique, while numerous fun activities flooded into my head thick and fast. I could see from the wide smile on Oliver’s lips that mine wasn’t the only brain going into overdrive. Lordy, even the man’s teeth were perfect.
Suddenly feeling a tad warm, I, too, rose to my feet. “I’ll see you out, shall I?” I said, forced to remind myself that I didn’t do casual.
