Page 69 of Summer at Harbour View House
Another Surprise and Stumbling Progress
‘Right,’Ben said, peering out of the window. ‘It looks like the sun’s going to come out. I’d better get up to the beach and put the flags up, just on the off chance that someone will show up.’
‘And leave me drinking here alone?’
‘Don’t forget you’re technically on holiday. You should enjoy yourself.’
‘It’s difficult with the stress of this concert to deal with.’
‘You’ve done an amazing job. Like really. No one here could have pulled it off. You should be an events manager or something.’
‘It’s hard enough being a teacher, but I appreciate the vote of confidence.’
Ben patted her on the arm. ‘I’ll see you later, right? Hot date at the fish’n’chips shop, followed by a pint and then a DVD at yours?’
‘Sounds perfect.’
‘You know, Mum and Dad want me to invite you up to the farm for dinner before you leave.’
‘Ah, I’ve still got very vivid memories of my first dinner at your parents’ house. I’ll think about it.’ Only as she said it did the meaning of his words really sink in. ‘Oh, I mean, I suppose I could, if you really want.’
‘I’ll see you later.’
Ben patted her on the arm again and was gone, leaving Natasha alone in the pub. For a few minutes she just stared out of the window at the harbour, wondering what was going on.
‘You and the Trewin lad getting close, eh?’ Lizzie said from behind the bar, putting Natasha’s thoughts into words. ‘Wondered how long it would be. Everyone can see you’s make a great pair.’
‘Ah, I don’t—’
‘Just roll with it,’ Lizzie said. Then, with a sudden cackle, she added, ‘And perhaps then roll with ‘e.’
As Natasha started to blush, she wondered. Were they really a couple? Nothing—at least, nothing serious—had happened between them, but she found herself spending time in Ben’s company almost every day. She hadn’t intended it as the start of anything romantic, particularly as at first she hadn’t really liked him all that much. In the course of everything that was going on, she’d needed his help, or his advice, or sometimes his experience, to get things done. And often, when she was tired, or stressed, or busy, she had found herself just needing him.
He was about as far from her type as she could imagine, the macho, alpha-male, powerful both of mind and body, successful, revered, a minor celebrity, and in some parts of the world, perhaps, almost mythical.
Yet behind the doors of his exterior, she had found him to be funny and likeable, down-to-earth, and just … Ben.
And she liked being around him.
‘God, look at you’s with stars in your eyes,’ Lizzie said. ‘Come up here to the bar and I’ll shout you a pint of local. Then, you’s can tell Aunt Lizzie here all about it.’
‘Ah, I’ll be okay. I have things to do.’
‘Just tell the lad how you’s feel,’ Lizzie said. ‘It’s easy. Have a couple of pints then wander over there to the beach. Either you’ll tell ‘e or you’ll nearly drown and he’ll come put his manly arms around you’s. Both ways, you’s win.’
Lizzie started cackling again. Natasha looked around for an excuse. The bathroom, that would do. She stood up, but at that moment Hannah appeared outside, trotting down the hill from St. Juliot Lane. Natasha tapped on the window. Hannah turned, her eyes widening. She mouthed something Natasha couldn’t understand, then came hurrying into the pub.
‘Natasha, Natasha,’ she called through the locked door that went straight out of the bar to the entrance. ‘I have some news.’
‘Gotta come round, lass,’ Lizzie said. ‘That door don’t open for no one.’
‘It has to, this is so important!’
‘Nope!’
‘Please, please, please!’
‘Gonna heave her pretty backside off the breakwater,’ Lizzie muttered, going over and starting to pull the jukebox away from where it covered the old door. Natasha got up to help her, but just as they made enough space to open the door, Hannah appeared behind them, jumping up and down.
