Page 36 of The Lottery Win
While I wait, I get my overnight bag out of the boot. I’m feelinga little anxious about leaving The Beast parked here overnight, but it’s a fairlyquiet side street so I’ll just have to trust that it will come to no harm. Ionly hope I’ve packed the right sort of clothes for the trip. I’d no idea whatwe’d be doing, apart from collecting the car, so I threw in some smart jeansand a few of my dressier tops. But then at the last minute, I went to thewardrobe and selected one of my gorgeous new dresses that I bought atSelfridges. I wrapped the pink one in its original tissue paper and laid it carefullyin the bag.
Doug steps out onto the street with a broad smile, a tan bagslung over his shoulder. ‘Hey, you. Glad you could come today.’
I smile back shyly. ‘Me, too. It’ll be...an adventure.’
He looks fresh and handsome in smart black jeans and a blueand white striped shirt, hair still damp from the shower flopping over hisforehead, and I feel a little ripple of excitement deep inside. I’m about totell him about the Edinburgh Festival when he mentions it himself, saying maybewe’ll have time to see some shows while we’re there.
I nod happily. ‘That would be great. It would be a shame tobe in the city at such an exciting time and not take in the atmosphere andsample some of what’s going on.’
‘I agree.’
We exchange a smile that makes my insides flip over.
But as we drive to the station, I glance at the slightlyshabby interior of the car and I think about Doug promising to pay for ourovernight stay in Edinburgh. He hasn’t mentioned it again and I’m hoping ithasn’t slipped his mind that I paid for the meal and all our drinks the othernight. If our roles were reversed, I’d be falling over backwards to reassurehim that he wouldn’t be putting his hand in his pocket today because I’d bepaying for everything. But I guess some people have a more casual attitude tomoney.
It’s not that I couldn’t afford to pay for us, obviously. Isuppose I just need the reassurance of knowing it’s me who Doug likes and not‘Krystle, the girl who hit the jackpot’.
My worry increases when we arrive at the station to buy ourtickets. When we queue up to use the machines, I’m sort of expecting him tooffer to pay for mine, but he just smiles and ushers me ahead of him, so I buymy own. I suppose the tickets are quite expensive, though, so it probably makessense that we pay for ourselves. But then in the shop, choosing a few snacks toeat on the train, again we end up footing the bill individually, and I can’thelp feeling a little puzzled because I’d assumed Doug would be able to claimexpenses for the trip. It’s a work thing, collecting this car for a customer,so surely he’d be able to claim for meals as well as the rail trip? But maybeit’s just slipped his mind for now and he’ll make up for it later.
I hate the worry, though, and I wish I could just completelyrelax and enjoy Doug’s company on an equal basis, because apart from my naggingthoughts about the money thing, he’s great fun to be with.
On the train, we sit opposite each other in window seats andalthough we’ve both brought books to read, we never even glance at them becausewe’re too busy chatting. Doug asks lots of interesting questions and I findmyself basically relating my life story, but in an amusing way. It’s funny howin certain people’s company, you can sparkle and the conversation zips alongwithout missing a beat. And Doug seems to be one of those people who bring outthe best in me. He laughs a lot at my stories, and I can tell he isn’t boredand is just genuinely fascinated by what makes me tick as an individual.
It’s such a refreshing change from Ryan, who was mostlyinterested in himself!
We’re just approaching Berwick-upon-Tweed – Edinburgh nextstop – when I smile and say, ‘Hey, I’ve been doing most of the talking. It’stime you told me the story ofyourlife!’
‘Right.’ His eyes flick away from mine and he points out ofthe window. ‘Look at that beach down there. Isn’t it beautiful?’
I glance over and murmur my agreement. ‘Bet the North Sea isabsolutely freezing, though.’
I watch him curiously as he leans forward, taking in theview. Was it my imagination or did he just deftly change the subject there?Perhaps he doesn’t like talking about himself...
But I don’t have time to wonder because at that moment, mymobile rings. I answer it without thinking, realising too late that it’sCarrie. My heart sinks as we say hello. I’m on a train heading for a night awaywith what amounts to a perfect stranger. How the hell am I going to explainthataway to my sister?
‘Where are you?’ she wants to know, as the train draws intoBerwick-upon-Tweed and comes to a standstill.
I glance at Doug and he’s standing up, indicating that he’sgoing to get coffee from the buffet car. I give him a smile and a thumbs up.Onefor me, as well!
Relieved that his departure means I’ll be able to talkfreely, I wait until he’s left the carriage before replying.
‘Krystle? Are you still there?’
‘Yes. Sorry. What did you say?’
‘Where are you?’
‘What, now?’
She chuckles. ‘Yes. Now. Are you okay? What’s that chatterin the background?’
More passengers are joining the train, entering thecarriage. ‘Erm... just passers-by. I’m in Guildford. Shopping...’No sooner are the words out of my mouth than the guard blows his piercingwhistle at about a million decibels.
I squeeze my eyes shut in guilty dismay.
‘Wait, are you on the train? Why didn’t you take the carin?’
‘Oh... well, I don’t really like leavingThe Beast in a car park. It attracts attention and not all of it positive.’That’strue, at least.
