Page 13 of Winter at Wishington Bay
‘I’m a little more social than that.’
I flicked my glance to him and laughed. ‘Yes, I rather got that impression.’
‘I’d like to take you though. Assuming you aren’t otherwise engaged.’ He glanced at my left hand. ‘Figuratively speaking. And, of course, wouldn’t mind eating where you work.’
Typically, Carrie and Eloise’s in depth conversation had momentarily lulled just as Billy asked the question.
6
‘Oh! I… um…’
Billy leant over a little more, aware that we now had an audience. ‘No rush. I’ll have to drop these round anyway as I won’t get them both finished today. Maybe you can let me know then?’
I looked round at him, the features of his face gentle, his expression understanding, and nodded.
‘Sorry. I’m always told I go for things a bit quickly.’ He frowned. ‘Not that you’re a thing. I mean—’
‘I know what you mean.’ I frowned at the smooth and shiny gold bauble I was trying to affix to my wreath. ‘What I don’t know is why this won’t stay where I want it to.’
Billy peered across and gently laid his hands over mine to turn the wreath over and inspect it. ‘If you move it just along here a little…’ he pointed, having let go, allowing me to make the adjustment myself, rather than taking it over, which I appreciated, ‘you can wrap the wire round that bit there…’ He waited while I did so. ‘There. Perfect. It’s just got a bit more to hang onto there and gives it more stability.’
I held up the wreath in front of me.
‘That looks great, Sophia,’ Billy said.
‘Thanks for the help,’ I said, smiling, pleased with my creation.
‘Any time,’ he replied as Carrie and Eloise exchanged a look and I pointedly ignored them.
* * *
‘Let’s have a picture before we go, shall we, Barb?’ Gloria bustled her friend into place. Barb didn’t look thrilled at this but she had seemed to enjoy herself, if quietly. ‘Come on, Billy. We need evidence that we’ve spent the afternoon with a big, strapping lad, don’t we?’ Barb blushed, although I was sure I detected a small smile. Gloria winked at us three as we watched. ‘Got to give the WI something to talk about, eh?’ she added, making us all giggle.
‘Mind if I take one to put on the hotel’s socials? They love evidence of people having enjoyed things like this.’
‘Of course not. Just remember to get my good side!’ Gloria laughed, giving Billy a big squeeze for the camera.
‘How about one of you three?’ he asked, having extricated himself from Gloria.
‘Oh, that’d be lovely, thanks,’ Carrie said, handing him her phone as we bunched together and held our wreaths. Billy snapped a couple before returning the phone.
‘Can I get one of the three of you to add to our collection too?’
‘Sure!’ Eloise answered as I made what I hoped was a subtle step away. I had no wish to be on the hotel’s social media feed anyway but this was five star, with an excellent reputation. Exactly the sort of place that I might have stayed in previously and exactly the sort of place those from my old life would still stay in. Plenty of people scanned social media for more info on a place before booking these days and although I knew the likelihood of anyone I knew seeing it was low, it was still too much of a risk.
‘Where are you going?’ Carrie asked. ‘Come on, get in the shot.’
‘I’m just not really comfortable with being on social media. But you three look great. Do you want me to take it for you?’ I asked, desperately trying to divert the attention.
‘What do you mean? You’re always snapping pics for your Insta,’ Carrie said as Billy waited with Eloise, his phone resting loosely in his hand.
‘Yes, but not of this,’ I whispered to Carrie, pointing to my face as I gently steered her backwards to join the other two.
‘I don’t know why you worry. You’re hardly the back of a bus!’
‘It’s not that. It’s… complicated,’ I said, feeling uncomfortable now. Things really would have been easier if I’d just told everyone the truth when I’d moved to Wishington Bay. Or at least those I’d grown close to. I’d just been so determined to separate my old life from my new one and now… now there just never seemed like a good time. But I would. One day, I definitely would.
‘It’s fine,’ Billy broke the ripple of tension. ‘Plenty of people don’t like it. It’s why I always ask first. If Eloise and Carrie don’t mind though?’ He looked to them for an answer before handing his phone to me, catching my eye as he did so. I took the photos and we all began gathering our things.
