Oh yes, a poet and a Romeo, I’d best keep my eye on this one then, she thought. Still, her heart did flutter at having her hand kissed instead of receiving the expected handshake, and she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. She was also certain she had the world’s goofiest smile on her face as she just watched him in silence. He’d never give her the time of day if he didn’t need his network repaired, she figured. He was the kind meant for little blonde housewives with delicate feet and tiny waists, she thought.
Daniel had an endearingly crooked smile on his face as he took in the sight of her. She was glad she’d decided to change her clothes before coming down, now. At least she wasn’t grubby and her hair had been brushed. He was very tall himself, and seemed to appreciate the sight of a woman he didn’t have to look down to. His smile deepened into a grin, and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. He must be pulling my leg, she thought to herself.
Nanna seemed to have noticed something was going on because she pulled Annie May to her side, and smiled at her, giving Annie May a wink. Oh this wasn’t going to be easy to get out of. She did want to get to know the handsome man a little better though, so maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, spending some time with him?
“Would you like a drink, Annie May?” Her grandmother asked.
“Just a spritzer Nanna, nothing too strong, please. I’m such a lightweight in that department that even that little bit of alcohol may have me sleeping before long. That was one long flight,” Annie May replied, sitting by the man. “What seems to be the problem with your network then?” She looked back at Daniel, tilting her head to the side.
They discussed the network problem for a while, then moved on to what time she should come in the next day to work on it. She enjoyed listening to him talk, how expressive his face was, and that he, like her, talked with his hands. He politely declined anything to eat when Annie May’s Nan offered it, but she ordered vegetarian lasagne before going back to her conversation.
“I guess I’ll see you in the morning then? Oh, how do I get to your office?” She asked as she finished her spritzer.
“It’s just down the road there; you’ll see it once you get into the main part of the village. There’s a big sign in the window with the name of the place so you should be able to find it straight away. I’ll leave you to your food, and I hope you spend an enjoyable evening with your Nan. She’s a wonderful woman and has helped me often with things we needed at the office. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.” He reached out, touching her hand briefly before walking away with a smile. A Casanova then, but a sensible one, she thought. Very good.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Daniel, good night.” She gave him a smile as he left, looking forward to her meal, a bath, and a night of sleep.
“That Daniel’s fancying you, I do believe, Annie May. And if I’m not mistaken, you’ve taken a fancy to him as well.” Nan said as she placed Annie May’s food in front of her. “Now you eat this and get to bed; I have a feeling you need some sleep but will be up bright and early,” the older lady said as she drifted back to the bar to fill a customer’s glass.
Annie May looked down at her food, hiding a smile as she did. Yes, I probably will be up early, she thought. That Daniel sure has a beautiful smile.
The next morning she walked down the village, feeling a chill in the air despite the season. She took some snaps with her mobile to send to her friends back home, loving the architecture of the old stone crofts. She quickly found Daniel’s office and walked in through the door, smiling as she heard a chime.
“Is that you Annie May? I’m back here, in the office on the right.” She heard Daniel call from somewhere in the back of the building. Wandering back she saw several rooms, and walls filled with pamphlets, posters telling teens how to be positive and get ahead of the game, and leaflets everywhere. She finally found Daniel and stopped, looking at him with a smile on her face.
His curly hair was sticking up all over his head, making her fingers itch to smooth it down, and a look of desperate confusion marred his features. What is he doing, sitting there staring at a computer screen? She wondered.
“What has you looking so put out this morning then, Daniel?” Annie May asked him walking into the room to sit in the chair he indicated to, beside him. Looking at the screen she saw he had the software open for the network but no connection showed.
“I thought I’d give it one more go, try one more time to see if I could resolve the problem on my own. It is a bit lowering to have someone come in and repair it for me. But I’m glad you’re here because I can’t make heads nor tail of any of it.” A sheepish smile spread across his face as he spoke and she noticed that his smile was just as adorable as it had been the night before.
“Let me have a look. Hopefully it’ll be something simple, it usually is with these things.” She zoned out for a bit, clicking through tabs, checking lines, making sure cables were plugged in. A cup of tea appeared at her elbow at some point, with packets of sugar and cream, and she drank it without even realizing it as she tracked the problem down to a cable that had been put into the wrong port. Clicking back through the tabs she saw the network was operating properly now, and closed out of the software, finally coming back to reality.
“You’re good at what you do, Annie May!” Daniel said, pleased that she’d sorted the problem so quickly.
“Oh dear, I zoned out and drank tea, didn’t I? I never drink that stuff; it makes me so hyper!” She could feel it starting already and reminded herself not to talk too fast. Looking at Daniel, she searched for something else to say.
“I’ll have to remember that. So you’re all done then?” He asked.
“Um, yeah, so the network should work now, without any problems. If you have any more issues with it just give me a ring at Nan’s. I haven’t sorted a mobile out here yet, but I plan to this week.” Oh that sounded so desperate and leading, she thought. Please call me! Trying not to roll her eyes at herself, she went to gather her handbag and jacket but Daniel stopped her. As if he’d be interested in seeing her again now she’d sorted his problem out, she berated herself.
“What do I owe you for the work you’ve done?” He asked.
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” she replied. “Take it as my donation to your organisation.”
“Well, at least let me buy you lunch. If you’ll agree, I’ll admit my ulterior motive.” He said with a look that stated, “Aren’t you intrigued, hm?”
What’s he playing at, she wondered, but curiosity got the better of her, and she agreed.
“Alright, but you have to tell me what the ulterior motive is first, or I won’t go.” She replied with a ‘so there’ look of her own. She all but stuck her tongue out at him. It’s just the tea, it’s only the tea making you hyper and too flirty, she thought, trying to rein herself in. Stop acting like a twit now!
“It’s nothing terrible really, I’d just like to get to know you a little better, that’s all.” A hopeful look spread across his face as he spoke, making her heart twist a little.
“Oh, well.” She stuttered to a halt, stunned at his words. She’d never expected him to truly be interested in her! Her heart gave a leap, though, and she knew she wanted to spend more time with him. “Well, yes, I think I’d like that myself, Daniel.”
Chapter Eight
They gathered their things and walked up the street to a chippy. She looked at him, not sure what to tell him because she didn’t eat food like that, it made her skin break-out and being tall and a bit fluffy already, was about as far as she could stand it. Spots on top of that might lead to her never leaving the house! The look on her face must have been enough to make him realise this wasn’t her cup of tea, because instead of going in he walked to the next one, a place selling German food, apparently. From the menu, she saw that the food was much healthier and gave him a questioning look.
“How about this?” She asked him.
“Oh yes, this is very good, I’ve been here before.”
They went in and found a table and looked over the menu. They made their order and Annie May looked around. A tidy little place, the inside wasn’t overly fancy but was clean and the tables weren’t sticky. Looking out of the window they were sat at, she watched people going by, like ants as they got on and off buses, went into and left shops, and milled around in other places. She loved watching people, looking at the buildings, and wondering about the stories they could all tell. Everyone and every place had a story, after all. Smiling she turned back to Daniel, realising she’d been quiet for a long time.
“What would you like to know?” She asked him.
“Well, obviously you’re American because you don’t sound like you have the least possibility of being Canadian, so what state are you from?” He asked.
“I’m actually English but I was raised in America. In Louisiana, in fact, so no, there’s no mistaking me for Canadian, not with this accent. My parents and brother all live there too. Mum and Dad left in the 90s. Mum had a love of all things New Orleans so Dad fulfilled her dream by getting a job as a doctor there. We came to England for the summer, once a year, but I haven’t been back in a while. I was too busy with school, but I’ve finished that now so I’ve come to stay for the summer. Learn about my roots and all of that.”
“Ah, I see. I wonder why we’ve never met, then. I know it’s been a couple of years but still, we should have met at some point; we aren’t that far apart in age. I’m 29, and you’re what? 25 or 26?” Daniel asked, taking his food from the lady who brought it and thanking her.
Annie May took her own but answered Daniel before she started to eat. “I’m 28, actually. Mum and Dad wouldn’t let us into the taproom, and we were usually only here for a week. Maybe that’s why?”
“Ah, I see. So you never made any friends while you were here?”
“No, not really. I thought I had when I was around 12. There was a lovely little boy I used to know. I thought he was going to be my prince, but he turned out to be quite the frog.”
“How so?” Daniel asked before tasting his food.
Annie May chewed, watching Daniel enjoy his food. The sausages must have been lovely because his eyes closed for a moment. She loved that he appreciated food so much.
“That must be nice.” She said, a question in her voice.
“It’s lovely! About the little boy?”
“Oh, we’d been playing for a couple of days together, going hiking, and climbing trees; the usual stuff children do. I was hoping he’d give me my first kiss. We’d gone out hiking, up on the moors, and we’d found this little stream by a large tree. We sat down to have the lunch our Mums sent with us, and I thought it was going splendidly. We’d been laughing and having fun, and it was perfect. I closed my eyes and leaned over to him, but he was gone. He came out from behind the tree, screaming about how I didn’t have a soul because I was a ginger, and then he threw a frog at me! A bloody great toad he’d found in the creek. I ran all the way back home, crying and told Mum I never wanted to come back again, but she made me the next year. It was even worse when I saw him the following day and he threw another one at me.”
Daniel had started coughing by the time she finished, and she wondered if his food had gone down wrong. His face was red and he was spluttering. Annie May handed him his water and stood up to pound his back when he finally calmed down enough to croak out that he was fine.
“That was you?” He asked.
“Was what me?” She asked, confused.
“That I threw the frogs at?” He said, looking ashamed of himself.
“Oh don’t tell me that was you?! But it can’t have been; that boy’s name was Courtney!”
“Yes, do you remember what you screamed at me when I threw the second frog?” He muttered into his glass of water. He wouldn’t even look at her now!
“No, I don’t actually. I tried to forget most of it, that was so mean, Daniel!”
“I know and I do apologise. You screamed at me how Courtney was a girl’s name anyway, before you ran away. I made people start calling me Daniel after that. I really must apologise Annie May. I thought you looked familiar when I first saw you last night, but I wasn’t sure why. And about that incident, well, a friend of mine started making fun of me for spending so much time with you. And I wanted to kiss you but Brian had been telling me all these stories about red-headed kids, and when you closed your eyes, I really did think you were trying to steal my soul. We were only children and though it may not mean much now, I really didn’t know any better. And I promise I will never throw another frog at you again, for the rest of my life!”
Annie May wasn’t sure whether she should be mortified or laugh. Looking at Daniel, how repentant he was, however, told her she should at least give him a chance to make up for his behaviour as a child. She knew he was a flirt, she could tell that by the way he talked to other women when they were around, but when he focused on her, she knew that attention was meant only for her. And they had only been children so perhaps she should give him a chance? Maybe he was just a friendly person and the way he talked with the women wasn’t offensive, it was only meant to bring a smile to their faces and there was nothing wrong with that. But could he really be serious? He was ever so handsome, and she wasn’t ugly but her height and size usually put men off her.
“Alright then but if you say one thing about my lack of a soul, I’ll drop you in a pan of cold water and set you on the stove. Just you remember that!” The words were harsh but she said them with a smile, taking some of the sting out of them.
“Can I see you tonight then?” He asked, a hopeful grin on his face.
“Oh, well. I promised Nan I’d help her behind the bar tonight, but if you want to come in there, you’re welcome to. I’d like that in fact, a familiar face on the other side might help me to relax a little.”
“I’d love that. I think tonight’s dominoes night so it’ll be crowded but I’ve been known to help out behind the bar before, so I can lend you a hand if you need me to, as well.” He tilted his head as he spoke, that cheeky grin that made her knees feel wobbly, making another appearance.
Oh he is lovely, she thought. And he smelled good too. She’d been trying to pin down the fragrance since last night but finally came to the conclusion it must be one she didn’t know. Spicy, warm, but inviting. A wonderful scent on a man. She’d only ever smelled it on him, but she loved it already.
“That sounds like it might be fun, getting to work with you. I look forward to it. Shall we get back now? I know you must be busy with work; I don’t want to keep you.”
“Yes, I should get back. I have an appointment in 15 minutes so I should do the grown-up thing and prepare for it. I’ve really enjoyed having lunch with you, though. It’s been wonderful, it truly has. Can I ring for a taxi to get you back to your Nan’s?”
“No, a walk would be good, I can refamiliarise myself that way.”
She held her hand to her heart as he took her hand again, kissing it before standing back up. How can that be so very romantic, she wondered.
Sighing, she smiled at him again, thanked him for lunch and waved goodbye as they went their separate ways.
She walked back up the hill, passing sheep and people with guidebooks in their hands, and hiking gear clanging in packs on their backs. Britain was a very active place, if nothing else, she thought, watching all the walkers with their dogs and children, zigzagging the hills and footpaths. She got back to her Nan’s and lost herself in helping her grandmother prepare for the evening and wait on the few customers who came in during the day. What a wonderful morning, she thought to herself as she told her Nan about her time with Daniel. Her Nan just stood smiling as Annie May spoke, the smile getting wider as Annie May told her about the childhood incident.
“He may turn out to be your prince, yet, my duck. Just you keep an eye out, though. You’re only here for a few months so don’t get too caught up or I’ll have to answer to your Dad and Mum, and heaven forbid I have to do that!” Ruby smi
led and hugged Annie May close again, ideas forming in her head about what exactly she’d tell them because she would love to have Annie May with her in England full time.
Annie May’s night was filled with laughter, conversation, and observations on how vastly different American English was from British English. She laughed every time someone said, “So you’re an American are you?” And replied that she might as well be, explaining that she was, in fact, English over and over again. Daniel got in on the fun by introducing her to the regulars who trickled in, as Ruby’s English granddaughter who spoke like an American. He thought maybe she’d bumped her head and woke up with a strange accent but nobody would tell him for sure.
The people would just stare at him, then he’d wink at them, letting them know he was teasing, and they’d all laugh some more. Annie May met a cast of characters she’d have never met at home in a bar. There was the Communist couple that came in every single night, no matter what; the older man who came in twice a day, rain or shine; the farmer who lived across from the inn who spent most evenings reading the paper and listening to other people but never joined in; and the younger people who would all settle in the bottom room, playing billiards and listening to their own music on a cd player Nan had put down there for them. Nobody caused trouble and everyone just wanted a laugh. Customers came in with their dogs and every single canine was offered a treat, even by people that didn’t have dogs. Apparently Nan’s place was known for being dog-friendly, partly because the regulars were.
She went to bed that evening with a smile on her face and Daniel’s beautiful eyes and smile in her thoughts. He’d worked diligently, keeping people happy, sharing a laugh with each one, and then helping her to clean up when it was all over. They’d spent more time laughing, she realised, than they had working. She’d never laughed so much at home, even with her boyfriend’s there, though there hadn’t been many of those. Nobody serious anyway. She’d always been too busy for romance, flings, or any kind of affair, but she’d had a serious relationship once that almost ended in marriage. At 28, she still hadn’t slept with anyone though, preferring to wait until she was married, partly because she just didn’t feel she was attractive enough to take anything to that level. She opened her eyes, looking at the moonlight on her wall, wondering what Daniel would think of her inexperience but somehow not doubting that this relationship might go further than a holiday fling. Daniel was kind, loving, fun to be around, and generous with his time. Her last thoughts were of how Daniel had volunteered to take several people home before going to his own home for the night. He was ever so sweet, she thought, before her eyes closed a final time, and she drifted into her dreams.
Housekeeping Page 36
