Page 43 of The Secret Christmas Bookshop
‘Fifteen minutes,’ he said firmly. ‘Don’t go anywhere, OK?’ Then he hung up.
Chapter Fourteen
After Sophie put the phone down, it felt as if the entire pub was holding its breath.
‘He’s coming, then?’ There was laughter in Jason’s voice, but also genuine surprise.
‘He is.’
‘Well I never,’ Fiona said. ‘A turn-up for the books, that’s for sure.’
‘Another round then. Dutch courage, and all that.’ Jason stood up.
‘Why do we need courage?’ Sophie asked, but she felt it, too: the curiosity, the anticipation of the others, which was ridiculous because he was just a man, and there was nothing remotely mysterious about him. Or notthatmuch, anyway.
‘Another wine?’ Jason asked her.
She shook her head. ‘Water, please.’ She’d only had a couple of glasses, but she didn’t want any more. ‘I never should have called him,’ she said, mostly to herself.
‘Why not?’ Fiona asked.
‘If he hadn’t wanted to come, he could have just said no,’ Ermin added.
‘God knows he’s said no to things easily enough up until now,’ Fiona said tartly.
Jason returned with their drinks and Sophie sipped her water, on high alert while the others chatted around her. How had she allowed them to persuade her into inviting him? She felt all the pressure of having made the call. Then the door opened, letting in a snake of cold air, and the chatter in the pub faded.
Sophie was reminded how well Harry Anderly filled a doorway. His gaze cast about the room and, when he found her, a small smile lit his eyes, then he strode across to join them, murmurs following him like ripples in his wake.
‘Hello.’ He stood next to the table, as if he wasn’t sure what to do next. ‘Jason,’ he nodded. ‘Fiona, Ermin. Sophie, thanks for inviting me.’ He sounded stiff, as if he’d just realized he would have to engage in conversation with all of them.
‘Here.’ Sophie scooted over on her bench. ‘Sit next to me.’
Harry shrugged off his coat to reveal a soft-looking grey jumper. His jeans were dark, rucking over the tops of sturdy brown boots, and when he sat down he rolled up his sleeves, revealing tanned forearms dusted with brown hair.
‘Let me get you a drink,’ Sophie said.
‘No, it’s my round.’ Jason stood up. ‘What do you fancy?’
‘A pint, please. Whatever you’re having. Thanks.’ When Jason was gone he turned to Sophie, gesturing to her glass. ‘My presence requires you to have a pint of vodka?’
Sophie shook her head. ‘It’s water.’
‘How are you, Harry?’ Fiona asked, from across the table.
‘I’m good thanks, Fiona. How are you both?’
‘Very well,’ Ermin said, with his customary chuckle. ‘I hear you and Sophie are doing a grand job of organizing our festival.’
‘We’re just getting started,’ Harry admitted. ‘There’s a lot to do.’
‘Will it involve goats?’ Jason put a pint in front of Harry.
‘Thanks.’ He rubbed his forehead. ‘We’ve not plannedit that way, but at the moment it’s very much up to Felix where he goes. Unless I build a huge brick wall around the entire estate.’
‘He just wants to have fun,’ Sophie said.
‘Goats just want to have fun!’ Fiona said delightedly. ‘Perfect.’
