Page 33 of A Christmas Celebration
‘Would you like to come this way?’ he asked my companion.
I sat up straighter and gathered Albert’s shopping around me. So mesmerized by our conversation, I’d completely forgotten I was sitting in the Wynbridge opticians and I’d also wasted the opportunity to try and find out what Angus and Brodie had been talking about in the Wynthorpe kitchen. Damn him and his impossibly long and seductive lashes and devastating smile.
‘I won’t keep you a moment,’ the optician said to me as Brodie walked away.
‘It’s fine,’ I said. ‘No rush.’
‘See you later.’ Brodie smiled back at me.
‘Uh huh.’ I nodded, like a lovestruck fool.
I scolded myself for both the missed opportunity and for falling further under his spell. Developing romantic feelings had been no part of mytake a break at Wynthorpe Hallplan, but then neither had stumbling across an OAP in need. My R&R trip was taking on a life of its own and pulling me along for the ride.
‘What do you think?’ Brodie then called over to me, leaning back in the chair and around the screen which had momentarily hidden him from view.
He’d got the glasses on and he looked stunning. All he needed was a book, or a paintbrush in his hands, and I’d be completely undone.
‘Great,’ I said, giving him a goofy thumbs up. ‘They really suit you.’
He disappeared again and I dropped my head into my hands.
‘I’m done for,’ I muttered. ‘I’m completely done for.’
I couldn’t take my eyes off him while he was paying and he kept looking across at me too. The heavily framed glasses, which he was still wearing, were the perfect foil for his strong features.
‘Will you be at the switch-on, on Saturday?’ he asked, coming back over once he’d paid.
‘Yes.’ I swallowed. ‘I’ll be there. Will you?’
‘I’m aiming to be,’ he said. ‘I should be back before then.’
He didn’t say where from.
‘Maybe I’ll see you Saturday then.’ I nodded.
‘I’d like it if you did,’ he said, treating me to another of his knee-weakening smiles. ‘Perhaps we could go for a drink or something?’ he tentatively added.
Was he asking me out on a date or making a casual arrangement? He’d said heshouldbe back in town, not that he definitelywouldbe.
‘Perhaps we could.’ I smiled back, my mind racing.
A drink sounded great but to be honest, I was more interested in wondering what thesomethingmight entail.
‘Great.’ He nodded, then turned and left without another word.
‘I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting,’ said the optician, who had also taken a moment to watch Brodie walk out, and before I’d worked out whether our arrangement was set in stone or something that would possibly come off if we happened to run into each other, he went on, ‘I’m Mr Wilson. How can I help you?’
Gathering my wits, I explained that I wanted to book a home sight test for a friend and Mr Wilson and I crossed over to the desk. I was sure there was a lingering trace of Brodie’s aftershave hanging in the air. I dragged my thoughts back to Albert and forced myself to concentrate on what I’d come to town specifically to do.
‘The only at home appointment I have before at least mid-December is for tomorrow,’ Mr Wilson said. ‘And that’s only available because I’ve had a last-minute cancellation.’
‘Tomorrow?’
That regained my attention.
‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Is that too short notice? It wouldn’t be until late on in the afternoon.’
‘That will be fine,’ I said, praying that Albert would agree.
