Page 35 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
Mark raised his water glass, and she did the same. ‘To Italy,’ he cried as they made the toast. ‘To lots of lovely research.’
The waiter, attracted by the noise, came over. ‘You’ve enjoyed?’ he asked.
Mark rattled off an answer in Italian which had the waiter looking impressed. ‘Somegelatoto finish?’
‘Regrettably, I’m full. Would you like some ice cream, Livvy?’
‘Maybe another time when I’ve eaten less delicious pizza. An espresso would be marvellous though.’
‘Of course,’ the waiter said.‘Molto bene.And come back another time. We always have pizza for lovers.’
Livvy blushed scarlet and hid her face in her water glass.
Mark roared at her discomfort. When the waiter had left to get their coffee, he said, ‘Don’t think he’s got the concept of men and women being friends. There always has to be theinamorata.’ He paused, gazing at her reflectively. ‘Don’t worry, Livvy I’m not about to make a move on you. We’re just pals, aren’t we?’
Livvy nodded. It was what she wanted, wasn’t it? She didn’t have room in her life for a boyfriend. But even as his words sank in, that this was how he saw her – as a friend – a little bit of her shrivelled. Part of her, in another life, at another time, would like Mark as a lover. She found her voice. ‘Of course we are,’ she answered, stoutly. ‘The best kind.’
There was an awkward silence broken only by the waiter returning and serving them coffee with a flourish.
Mark stirred in a lozenge of brown sugar. ‘I hope you don’t mind me saying but you look tired. Are you sure you’re leaving enough to the others? You’ve a good team behind you now. They should be able to shoulder more responsibility.’
‘They are. I’m really lucky to have them and I am leaving more to them, I promise. Like today. It’s been so good to get out and leave the pub for a while, even if we did end up researching its history. I promise I’m not going to become one of those people who are only about their business, although it’s hard not to be when you’re just starting up.’ She sipped her espresso wondering if the caffeine hit was worth the risk of a sleepless night. ‘It’s just that I haven’t been sleeping well.’
‘Oh no, that’s rotten. Why?’ Mark’s sympathy was immediate and sincere.
‘Just disturbed nights. Kids playing about in the car park in the early hours. Banging the kitchen door, waking me up.’
‘Idiots. Can’t they find something more productive to do?’ He frowned. ‘Must be frightening when you’re all on your own.’
‘It can be, even though I’m pretty sure it’s just bored teenagers but it does make me aware I’m alone in a very big building.’
‘You’ve got a security system?’
Livvy nodded. ‘And now, thanks to the genius Darrell, a superb set of security lights.’
‘Ring me, if you need to. Or Simona. She’s only next door and she’s actually, contrary to appearances, pretty good in a crisis.’
‘Thanks. I appreciate it but I’m made of strong stuff.’ She shrugged. ‘It might just be mice.’
‘Big mice!’
‘Yeah.’ Livvy managed a laugh. ‘I was thinking of getting a cat.’
‘A dog might be a better idea. Even if it’s not a guard dog as such, the barking will put people off.’
‘You may have a point. I’ve never yet met a cat who was an efficient mouser anyway.’
‘Have you been in touch with Tom up at his animal sanctuary? It’s on the hill leading out of town in the other direction to the pub. He often has dogs he rehomes.’
‘I haven’t. I didn’t know he rehomed animals.’
‘Might be worth a visit. If nothing else a dog is excellent company.’
‘Thanks, Mark. I’ll do that. And, what’s a pub without a pub dog?’
He grinned. ‘As long as it gets on with Skip.’
‘Only Daisy gets on with Skip,’ Livvy said gloomily. ‘I’m not even sure Pete is all that fond of him.’ Changing the subject, she added, ‘You know you mentioned a young couple who met at the pub, and it didn’t end well?’
