‘Some bloke called Darren. He sounds nice, but I haven’t replied yet because I was too excited about hearing from one of my Stevens! I might wait until after the cinema then email him.’
‘Remember he’s not a Steven, though.’
‘I know. But he sounds nice.’
‘Sarah!’
‘I know. I need to be strong.’
‘I know it’s tough, but if you spend time with Darrens it’s time you’re not spending with Stevens. And if you’re deviating into non-Stevens, I suspect there’s a Nick who may be top of your list.’
As usual, she was right.
Chapter 16
* From Auntie Kay
Can’t believe I’ve never been to Canada. What an amazing country! Stunning! Have you and Nick got your act together yet? I know he’s not called Steven but surely you can see he’s perfect for you :)
* To Auntie Kay
Do you want a slap? I have a date tonight. With a Steven. So ner! xxx
I checked my watch as I hurried down the cliff path to the sea front. Whose stupid idea was it to wear high boots? Hurrying in heels wasn’t easy. I was late. Only by ten minutes. But still late. Damn. I hate being late. It’s rude.
As soon as I rounded the corner, I spotted Steve. He was immediately recognisable from his online photo. I watched him raise his hand, stare at his watch, tap it as if to check it was working, shake his head, then turn to stare down the seafront in the opposite direction from my approach. Hmm, if my interpretation of his body language was correct, Steve Turner was not a happy little bunny at being kept waiting.
I took a deep breath and tapped him on the arm, declaring brightly, ‘Steve? I’m Sarah.’ I put my hand out to shake his and felt very small when he didn’t take it. Years of working in business made this a natural reaction on meeting someone new, but perhaps it wasn’t appropriate for a date. Especially for a date I’d kept waiting. Especially a date with a face like thunder. Especially a date who was looking at me as though I was something unpleasant he’d just trodden in. Oh pants! It was going to be a long night.
‘You’re late.’
I self-consciously put my hand back down by my side. ‘I’m so sorry. It wasn’t my fault. I—’ It genuinely hadn’t been my fault. As I was leaving the street, a neighbour of Auntie Kay’s had stopped to congratulate me on being the new owner of Flowers and ask me how Auntie Kay was enjoying her trip. Despite my protests that I had to meet someone and that Auntie Kay had only left the day before, Mrs Bailey kept me for nearly fifteen minutes talking about the time she’d almost booked a long weekend break to New York before deciding on a static caravan in Cleethorpes instead; not quite the same thing.
Clearly Steve wasn’t going to let me explain. ‘It’s about to start,’ he interrupted. ‘You owe me £7.75.’ He put his hand out.
‘Sorry?’
‘£7.75. I’ve already bought the tickets to save us time.’ He moved his outstretched hand slightly closer to me and repeated, ‘£7.75.’
‘Erm, okay.’ I rummaged in my bag for my purse, hoping I had the right money. I only had notes. I handed him a tenner.
‘I haven’t got any change.’
‘It doesn’t matter about the change,’ I muttered, feeling like I was paying cab-fare.
‘Okay.’ He pocketed the cash. How rude! It was only £2.25 but I had expected at least a little objection or perhaps an offer to buy some popcorn. He thrust a ticket into my hand and headed into the lobby without even holding the door for me. I watched him through the glass, heading towards the usher. Was he even aware I wasn’t with him? Or bothered now that he’d been paid — with interest — for the ticket? I hesitated for a moment wondering whether to follow or run. Sod it. I’d paid and it was a film I really wanted to see so I might as well go in.
I caught up with Steve as he reached the door to screen two. ‘I hope we can get some decent seats,’ he said, finally acknowledging me again. He then surprised me by stepping back and holding the door open with a big smile that lit up his eyes and transformed him from Mr Grumpy into Mr Pretty Hot Actually.
I relaxed, putting his earlier rudeness outside down to a combination of nerves and frustration at my lateness. I’d have been the same. Well, not rude, but I’d have been fed up if a date was late, especially if I’d already paid for tickets.
The opening credits were rolling but all was not lost as they were clearly about atmosphere-setting rather than story-telling. As my eyes adjusted to the gloom, I saw that the cinema was packed. ‘Shit. We’re going to have to sit right at the front. Nice one, Sarah.’ He spat my name out in disgust then stormed down the incline.
I was mortified as I took in the curious gazes of the cinema-goers sat in the closest seats to our disturbance. ‘Sorry,’ I whispered, scuttling after him. ‘Sorry,’ I whispered again as I pushed past several pairs of legs to slide awkwardly into a seat beside him in the middle of the second row. ‘Sorry,’ I whispered to Steve as I sat down beside him.
‘What an eejit. Why didn’t you just walk out?’ The phone had been ringing as soon as I walked through the door. Clare was desperate for a progress report. And probably even more desperate to score points by knowing everything before Elise. If I were a betting woman, I’d have put money on her having had me on solid redial for the past forty minutes.
‘To be honest, Clare, I was so surprised at his reaction, I just followed him and sat down.’
‘I’d have told him where to go. Was the film good?’
‘No idea. I just kept going over his reaction and getting angrier thinking about it. I’d finally plucked up the courage to leave when he completely threw me by taking hold of my hand.’
‘No!’
‘Yes. Can you believe the nerve of the guy?’
‘What did you do?’
‘Faked a sneeze and put that hand over my mouth. He wasn’t so keen to grab it after that.’
Clare laughed. ‘You’re learning. I hope it hasn’t put you off.’
‘No. I’ll stick with it. Maybe the next Steven will be The One.’ I hoped. Because I didn’t want too many repeats of that evening. I cringed as I recalled shuffling out of the cinema with the crowd, trying to ask Steve what he thought of the film. He’d looked at me as though I’d asked him what he thought of shooting a few ducklings just for fun. ‘I’d have enjoyed it far more if we’d got a decent seat.’
Well and truly put in my place yet again, I began rehearsing how I could bring the evening to a swift close. He beat me to it. ‘I’m going to the gents,’ he said. ‘You don’t need to wait for me. In fact, I don’t want you to wait for me.’ Then he disappeared in the direction of the toilets. Rudey McRude from Rudesville!
Chapter 17
* From Auntie Kay
About to board the Rocky Mountaineer. Very excited. How did your hot date go? Part of me hopes it went well as I want you to be happy. But most of me hopes it was dire and you’ve seen the light and called Nick because he’ll make you even happier! He REALLY likes you. I can tell. Hee hee. I may be halfway round the world but I can still meddle! Xxx
* To Auntie Kay
Behave! Enjoy your train trip! xx
‘I had a visit from a rep this afternoon,’ I told Elise when she dropped by on her way home from school a few days later. ‘He was called Steven.’
Her eyes widened. ‘And…?’
I smiled. ‘He was lovely.’
‘Are you going to see him again?’
‘On a work basis, yes. On a personal basis, no.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because he’s already married.’
‘Happily married?’
‘I’m guessing so seeing as he and his wife are about to renew their vows to celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary. He tells me he’s never known a day’s unhappiness since he met his wife except when he started this job twenty yea
rs ago and had to spend a week on a training course away from home.’
‘Ah, that’s so sweet.’
‘Isn’t it? That’s what I want; to meet someone whom I can’t bear to be away from and who can’t bear to be away from me. It must make you feel so special.’
‘Yeah,’ Elise said. ‘It must be nice.’
‘What are you talking about? You’ve got that with Gary.’
‘I meant the longevity. It must be nice to still feel that way after so long.’ She turned away and gestured round the shop with her arm. ‘So, one week tomorrow till opening day. The place looks amazing, Sarah. Are you pleased?’
I looked round the shop and felt a tingle of pride. Elise was right; it looked amazing. The wood floor and silver light fittings were classy, the soft cream walls added warmth, and the various glass and silver shelves and display units oozed quality. Rows of brushed silver tubs and vases eagerly awaited their first delivery of flowers, and the dark granite counter top seemed to sparkle with excitement for the first bouquet to be created on it.
‘It’s even better than I imagined,’ I admitted. ‘Although I did spend more than I hoped to get this look.’
‘I think it was money well spent. I like these.’ Elise pointed to a display containing wooden christening gifts. ‘I haven’t seen anything like these in town.’
‘Good. I wanted things that were different.’
‘What’s going on there?’ She pointed to an empty set of curved glass shelves.
‘Teddy bears. Due on Monday. I’m expecting two card deliveries on Tuesday, more gifts and vases on Wednesday, first flower delivery on Thursday, then it will be flat out on Friday making bouquets ready for opening on Saturday.’
‘You’ve certainly got your work cut out.’
‘I know. I’m trying not to panic but it feels like there’s so much to do. Are you sure you don’t mind helping out next Saturday?’
‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
I smiled. ‘Thanks. I’m glad you and Mum will be here.’
‘Is Clare coming?’
‘No. She’s on some team-building weekend with work.’
‘That’s a shame.’
‘Don’t start…’
Elise held her hands up. ‘It wasn’t a bitchy comment. I genuinely meant it’s a shame after she helped you paint and get things ready. It would have been nice for her to be here for opening day.’
I nodded. ‘That’s more like it. Life is so much less stressful when the two of you can play nicely.’
‘It’s not me who starts it. It’s—’
But a knock on the door saved us.
‘Stranger!’ I said to Nick. ‘I didn’t think you’d be back till the weekend. How was Edinburgh?’ Those damn butterflies were back. Why did he have to be so attractive?
‘Edinburgh was great. I managed a few early starts so I could escape a day early.’ He leaned in and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek, sending those butterflies crazy. He smelled good too. ‘Shop all ready?’ he asked.
‘Getting there. Do you want a sneak preview?’
‘Do you mind? I haven’t caught you at a bad time, have I?’
‘No. But you can only come in if you promise to say nice things.’
‘I promise to say nice things. And I’ll mean them.’
I swung the door open and inhaled deeply as he stepped past me. Yummy!
‘Hi. I’m Elise.’ She scowled at me as she wandered over and shook Nick’s hand. ‘Thought I’d better do the intros seeing as somebody’s forgetting their manners.’
‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘Elise, this is—’
‘Steven,’ Nick interrupted.
Elise’s eyes widened and she looked from Nick to me and back to Nick again. Her mouth opened but no words came out.
‘Sorry,’ Nick said, grinning. ‘Couldn’t resist. I’m Nick.’
‘Granny Sutton’s Nick?’
Nick nodded. ‘The very same.’
‘You told him about Steven?’ she asked me, eyes even wider.
‘I wanted the male perspective. Plus he plied me with alcohol and kind of dragged it out of me.’
‘And what was your verdict, Nick?’
He’d wandered to the end of the shop. ‘It looks absolutely amazing,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t recognise it as the same shop. It seems so much bigger. Lighter. Classier.’
‘Not the shop,’ Elise said. ‘What’s your verdict on Steven?’
‘Sorry,’ Nick said. ‘I thought Sarah should give her search a try. There’s a lot in this world we can’t explain or can’t prove. Just because I can’t see into the future, it doesn’t mean that nobody can. But I also suggested Sarah doesn’t waste years on the search. If Steven doesn’t turn up in, say, three months she should look elsewhere.’ Nick looked directly at me as he said the last part. Heat rushed to my cheeks and I couldn’t hold his gaze. I pretended to find some muck on the immaculate counter and rubbed at it with my thumbnail.
‘Good idea,’ Elise said.
‘Thank you. Anyway,’ Nick said, ‘I came in to tell you about my proposition, Sarah. I know you’ll only have been open a couple of days and probably have loads to do but are you still free a week on Monday night?’
‘I am.’ At last! I’d been dying to hear about the mystery proposition.
‘Fantastic. If you don’t like the sound of this, just say so and I promise I won’t be offended.’
‘Out with it.’
Nick grimaced. ‘It sounds geeky but I promise it isn’t.’
‘OUT WITH IT!’
‘Okay. You know I mentioned my friend Skye? A few years ago we set up this group called Bay Trade. Your auntie was a member. Did she mention it?’
I shook my head. ‘Doesn’t ring a bell.’
‘All the members are self-employed and we help each other out by trading our skills, referring our customers to each other, or giving business advice. I recently did a website and designed some fliers for the plasterer in our group and he skimmed my bedroom walls for me. Saved each other a fortune. There’s a builder, solicitor, personal trainer, accountant, DJ, taxi driver, child-minder and beautician to name just a few. We only allow one person from each type of business to join us so it doesn’t become competitive. There’s no obligation to step into Kay’s shoes but we all wondered if you’d like to be her replacement.’
‘Erm…’ Eek. The stuff for free sounded good, but the business advice part sounded a bit corporate.
Nick smiled. ‘I know what you’re thinking. I told you it sounds geeky. Even as I’m saying the words, I realise it sounds really, really boring but I promise it isn’t. They’re a great group of guys.’
‘My Uncle Stan’s in Bay Trade,’ Elise said.
‘Stan the Van? Our plumber?’
Elise nodded. ‘I borrowed his van to help move Sarah back home. You should think about it, Sarah. Uncle Stan loves it but he was adamant he wouldn’t join. His accountant told him about it and he told my Auntie Ruth that he’d rather consume the contents of the u-bend on his next blocked toilet than join. He figured it would all be business seminars, suits, and networking but it’s basically just a few beers, a good laugh, and plenty of business coming his way. This could be great for getting new customers.’
‘I’m going to have to wind Stan up about that one,’ Nick said. ‘So, what do you think, Sarah?’
I looked from one eager face to the other. ‘Will I have to wear a suit?’
‘Suits are strictly forbidden.’
‘Okay, okay. I bow to peer pressure. But the first flicker I see of the corporate world and I’m out of there. I’ve put all that behind me.’
Nick beamed. ‘I promise it won’t be corporate at all. Plus, a week on Monday isn’t a normal night. One of the group, Bob, is leaving us to emigrate to New Zealand…’
&nbs
p; ‘What does Bob do?’
‘He’s our builder.’
‘No! Bob the builder? Seriously?’
Nick laughed. ‘No. He’s a physiotherapist but it was too tempting to let it pass. We’re meeting in The Old Theatre at seven then we’ve got a table booked at The Bombay Palace at nine.’
‘Okay. It’s a date,’ I said. ‘Well… not really a date… just me and you being out at the same place, and…’
‘It’s fine,’ Nick said. ‘I know what you mean. I’d best leave you both to it. Nice to meet you Elise.’
‘And you,’ she said.
I walked Nick to the door. ‘I don’t suppose there are any Stevens in Bay Trade are there?’ I asked.
‘I’m afraid not. Closest sounding name is Stuart but I don’t think Skye would be impressed if you ran off with her fiancé.’
‘I promise to restrain myself.’
Nick laughed. ‘See you soon.’ He waved as he headed down the street. I closed the door, smiling.
‘He likes you,’ Elise said.
‘Rubbish.’
‘And you like him.’
‘I do. As a friend. Because—’
‘I know,’ she said. ‘Because he’s not called Steven.’
‘Well, he isn’t. I listened to the tape again last night and I one hundred per cent wholeheartedly believe he’s out there and I’ll meet him soon.’ I crossed my fingers behind my back. ‘I told you about the photo and the bracelet. It’s like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle slotting into place. I’m sure Steven’s about to knock on my door.’
A knock on the door made us both jump. Steven? I unlocked the door again.
‘Nick!’
‘Sorry. Senior moment. I meant to give you this.’ He handed me a black leather presenter.
‘What is it?’
‘I know we’ve not really talked about it, but I’m assuming you’ll eventually want a website. I hope you don’t mind but I did some research and developed a few ideas while I was away this week.’
I flicked through the presenter to see page after page of sample layouts with little boxes explaining the logic and flow of what he’d done.
Searching for Steven (Whitsborough Bay Trilogy Book 1) Page 14
