“Penny for them?”
“What?” Kate stared at Sam in confusion.
“Penny for your thoughts. You looked miles away.”
“Oh, right. Yeah I was. A bit. This is so weird. And so nice too. You must have so many stories to tell about your travels. I really don’t even know where you’ve been. I think you were in Australia last time I heard from you.”
Sam ran a hand through his thick hair. “Wow. Yeah, Australia. That was a long time ago. Been loads of places since then. I’ll tell you all about it while we eat. But what about you? What are you up to? Did you get your degree? I expect you have a glittering career by now.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Oh, you’d think so, wouldn’t you? I leave Uni with a very good English Lit degree, and what do I end up doing? I’m a secretary for a firm that sells tractors. I took the job as a temporary thing until I found what I really wanted to do, and I’m still there five years later.” She looked up at Sam. “It’s still temporary, though. I don’t intend to stay. I just haven’t found my vocation yet.”
“That’s cool.” He leaned back and stretched his long legs out in front of him. “Means you can leave whenever you want without worrying about it. You’re much freer than if you were doing a job you cared about.” He grinned at her. “So you could decide to explore the Amazon basin or something, and there’d be nothing to stop you.”
Kate stared at him in amazement. How could he possibly know she had been thinking about explorers? Was he reading her mind?
“Yeah. I’ve been thinking about moving on. I’m really bored at the moment. Exploring the Amazon sounds fun.”
“It is.” Sam flicked his hair back off his face. “I was there about two years ago. Amazing place. You’d love it.”
“You’ve explored the Amazon basin?” Kate could hardly get the words out. “You’re an explorer?”
Sam threw back his head and roared with laughter. “Hardly! I just spent some time in South America, and that was one of the places I went to. Been to Machu Pichu, too. Bet you’d like that.”
Kate felt her face flame as she realised just how gauche she must have sounded asking if he was an explorer. He’d never take her seriously now. He must think she was a complete idiot. Which of course is exactly what she was or she wouldn’t be sitting in a pub garden with Sam Somerville just three weeks before her wedding.
“Katy? Are you all right?”
“Yes, sorry. Just realised how silly I must have sounded. I’d love to see South America, especially Machu Pichu. Were you there long?”
“About eighteen months. It was one of my favourite places, actually. I managed to travel pretty much everywhere. Picked up quite a lot of Spanish, too.”
The food arrived at that moment, and they spent a few minutes in silence, each concentrating on their meal. After a while Sam looked up.
“So apart from the boring temporary job, how are you?”
Kate swallowed a large mouthful of lasagne and washed it down with her wine. “Fine, thanks. Looking for another job, but fine.”
“Still best friends with Jen, I guess?”
“Yep. Always will be, I reckon. She’s good.”
He paused for a moment and moved some chips around on his plate. “And…are you seeing anyone? At the moment. Anyone special?”
Kate carefully finished her mouthful and wiped her mouth on her napkin. Then she laid down her fork and took a deep breath. “No one special,” she found herself saying. “Yeah, I am seeing someone, but it’s not serious. I don’t think it’ll go anywhere.”
Sam nodded and dipped a chip in the pile of mayonnaise on the side of his plate. “Okay. Good to know. How long have you been together?”
“Not long. I told you it’s not serious. How about you?”
“No. No one. Not for a long time.” Sam stared at her intently. “You seem a bit distracted. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“God, you sound like my mother!” Kate scowled at him. “I’m fine. Just a bit tired. It’s very nice to see you, though. And thanks for dinner.”
“You can pay next time.” Sam popped a chip in his mouth and raised his eyebrows at her. “Since you have a job and I don’t. Hoping to get one soon, though.”
“Next time?” Kate’s heart began to thump painfully in her chest.
“Well, now I’m back, I hope we can hang out a bit? I’ve really missed you, Katy. I’m sorry I was away so long.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” Kate’s throat felt tight. “But I understand why you went.” Without me, her brain was shouting silently. I understand why you went off and left me for eight years. But why did you have to come back now? Right now. The worst possible time. Kate watched him as he wiped his plate clean with his bread. Or was it the worst possible time? Maybe it was just in the nick of time. If he’d come back next month, after she was married, it would have been even worse.
She bit her lip. What the hell was she thinking? This made no difference. She was still marrying Richard. In three weeks and two days. She would be Mrs. Cresswell and would cease to be herself. But she loved Richard. That was why she was marrying him. What she felt for Sam was just a crush. Just like it had been all those years ago. He hadn’t wanted her then, and he wouldn’t want her now.
She sneaked another glance at him, and he caught her eye. He grinned at her, and his deep brown eyes burned with some emotion she couldn’t quite identify, but it made her stomach turn over. Suppose he really did want her now? What should she do? She really shouldn’t have lied about Richard. She found it hard to believe she had actually done that, and her head began to spin as she visualised the possible repercussions.
“Well, that was nice.” Sam put his knife and fork tidily on his plate. “I thought it would be. D’you want a pudding? I seem to remember you were obsessed with chocolate.”
Despite the turmoil in her brain, Kate managed a smile. “Still am. Yeah, I could probably manage a small piece of cake or something. Will you have one?”
“Maybe. Let’s see what they have.” Sam got to his feet and headed off into the pub to get a menu. Kate watched him go, unable to keep her eyes off him. God, she was in a mess. How could she have let herself get into this situation? She was having dinner with the man she had had a crush on for years, three weeks before her wedding to one of the most boring men on the planet, and she’d lied about it. In a moment of panic, she fished her phone out of her bag and started to write a message to Jenny.
I’m having dinner with Sam. This is a mistake. I need your help. Think I’ve been stupid.
She pressed Send, then dropped the phone back into her bag. Although what she thought Jen could do she had no idea. Apart from agree she had been stupid. She could hardly work it out for her. That was something only she herself could do.
“There you go.” A laminated menu appeared over her shoulder, and Kate reached up and took it. “They have several chocolaty things you might like.” Sam sat down and grinned at her. “Personally, I fancy the treacle tart.”
Kate scanned the card, her mind not really taking anything in. Eventually her eyes lit upon profiteroles and she pointed to them. “I’ll have those,” she said, handing the card back to Sam. “If that’s okay?”
“Of course.” He shrugged. “You can have what you like. You obviously never put on weight, so knock yourself out.” He got up again and went back in to place the order, leaving Kate once more struggling with her feelings and her conscience.
She checked her phone, but there was no reply from Jen, and in fact she realised she had lost the signal and her original message still hadn’t sent. She waved the phone around a bit, but it failed to register, so she dropped it into her bag and closed her eyes. She may as well just enjoy the rest of the evening. Everything would work out in the end. It usually did. Jenny would sort it.
By ten o’clock they had finished eating, talked about all the things that had happened to them in the last eight years, and generally had a very nice evening. Kate had begun to relax after
her second glass of wine, and decided she would confess everything to Jenny in the morning and see what she thought. Her biggest crime was lying about Richard, and she realised it would get found out eventually, so she really needed to sort it. But not tonight. She didn’t want anything to spoil tonight. She had waited ten years for a date with Sam Somerville, and she wasn’t about to waste it by admitting she was engaged to someone else.
“This has been fun.” Sam stretched and yawned. “We must do it again sometime. When are you next free?”
Kate felt her face begin to flame and made a pretence of looking in her bag. “Umm…not sure. Not tomorrow, of course.”
“No, not tomorrow,” Sam agreed. “You have that Hen party, don’t you? Is it anyone I know?”
“Er…no. No, I don’t think so.” Kate hurried to change the subject. “I’m free on Saturday, if you like. But you probably didn’t mean that soon…”
“Saturday is good.” Sam nodded. “I’ve still got loads to tell you about my travels. If you’re interested, that is?” He suddenly sounded vulnerable, and Kate smiled.
“Of course I’m interested. I loved hearing about them tonight. Okay then, what do you want to do?”
“We could maybe come here again, if you like? Unless you’ll be hung over from tomorrow?”
“Of course not.” Kate sniffed. “I very rarely drink too much these days. Couple of glasses of wine will do me fine.” She thought guiltily back to the night before, when she had polished off the best part of a bottle. But that had been Vicky’s fault. If she hadn’t been there, Kate wouldn’t have needed any. Well, not so much, anyway. “I’ll be fine for Saturday. Yes, let’s come here again.”
“Can I pick you up from your house, or do you want to meet at the park again?” Sam was watching her curiously.
“The park, please.” Kate wriggled uncomfortably.
“Cool.” Sam shrugged. “Fine by me. Seven o’clock again?”
Kate nodded, not trusting herself to speak. What the hell was she doing? Tonight had been a tremendous mistake, and yet she was organising another one. Tomorrow was her Hen Night. She was getting married in three weeks and two days. Why was she making a second date with another man? Oh, how she needed to speak to Jen!
“Shall we make a move?” Sam got to his feet. “Must admit I’m a bit tired. Only got back this morning, and it was a pretty hectic couple of days away. I’ll go and pay.”
This time Kate didn’t watch as he walked away but pulled her phone out to check for a signal. Still nothing. Oh, well, probably better if she told Jen in person anyway. She stood up and pulled her cardigan on, then slung her bag over her shoulder and started towards the Land Rover.
She was leaning against it when Sam reappeared. He opened the doors, and they got in without speaking. As they drove back out onto the narrow country lane, Kate glanced at him.
“Thank you. That was very nice.”
“Thank you for coming. It was fun. It’s actually nice to be back. As nice as I hoped it would be.”
Kate looked down at her hands. What did he mean by that? Oh, why was life so complicated?
They drove in silence until Sam pulled up by the kerb just along from the park gates.
“I take it you want dropping here, then?” He turned off the engine and glanced at Kate. “I’m not allowed to deliver you to your door?”
“Here is fine.” Kate undid her seatbelt and rescued her bag from under the seat. “I can walk back from here.”
“I’ll walk with you.” Sam got out and slammed the door.
“No—no, I’m fine. Really.” Kate shook her head and began to edge away from the vehicle.
“It’s all right. No one will see us.” Sam caught her hand and pulled her towards the park. “We can cut through the park and across the fields that pass the back of your parents’ house. I take it you don’t want to be seen with me?”
Kate stopped walking and pulled on his arm. “It’s not that. Not really…”
“But your parents know you’re seeing someone, and you don’t want them to see you with me in case they tell him? Maybe they’re hoping he’ll turn out to be ‘the one’? Am I close?”
“Maybe. Sort of.” Kate looked up at him. “Sorry that sounds so bad, but I just think it’s better they don’t see us together at the moment. I know we’re just friends, but…”
“Of course. We’re just friends. Good friends, I hope. Come on.”
The full moon was high in the sky as they crossed the park and then scrambled over the dry stone wall that bounded the fields. Sam hopped over first, then waited while Kate caught him up. She stood on the top of the wall and stared up at the moon.
“It’s so beautiful.” She raised her head and let the rays shine on her face. “I love the moonlight.”
Sam jumped back up onto the wall and stood beside her. “Me too. It makes you feel you’re the only things in the world still awake. You should have seen it over the Sahara. That was really something.”
“Is there anywhere you haven’t been?” Kate smiled up at him.
“A few places.” He slipped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Need something to look forward to.”
“You’re going back travelling, then?” Kate was acutely aware of his body pressing close to hers, knowing she should move away but unable to do so.
“Sometime.” Sam shrugged. “Not just yet. Might be nice not to go alone next time.” He smiled at her in the moonlight. “Ready? We still have a field to cross.”
Kate nodded, and together they jumped down into the field and set off towards the row of houses in the distance. As they approached, Sam slowed down.
“We’re nearly there. I’ll leave you here, if that’s okay. Have a lovely time tomorrow night, and I’ll see you at seven on Saturday. You can tell me all about the Hen Party. I’ve always thought it would be fun to be a fly on the wall at one of them.”
Kate stopped walking and looked up at him. “Thanks again for a lovely evening. It’s been fun catching up.”
Sam stared at her for a moment, his eyes hidden by the shadows; then he bent his head and placed a light kiss on her lips. “See you on Saturday.” He turned and with a quick wave jogged away back towards the park without a backward glance.
Kate’s hand shot up to her mouth, and she stood staring after him, her heart racing. Life had just got even more complicated.
Chapter 7
Friday 3rd July
“Kate! Jenny’s here.” Helen’s voice reached Kate as she lay in bed, the quilt pulled up to her chin. She really would have to get up, then. Helen’s voice floated up to her again as she and Jenny moved into the kitchen.
“Come and have a coffee while you wait for her. She was home pretty late last night, and it took a while to wake her. Where are you off to first?”
Kate heard a door closing, and the voices dulled to a low murmur. With a sigh she threw back the covers and climbed out of bed. Her head was heavy from too much wine, not enough sleep, and stress about the night before, and she groaned when she looked in the mirror. Her hair was all on end, and she had huge black bags under her eyes. Not a good start to a busy Hen day. Apart from the evening with Jenny, three old school friends, and Vicky, she knew Jenny had something planned for during the day, and she realised she was going to have to wake herself up properly if she was going to enjoy it.
Pulling the door open, she padded downstairs, still in her pyjama trousers and old T-shirt, and walked into the kitchen, where she found her mother and Jenny sitting at the table, drinking coffee.
“Morning.” She yawned and walked over to the kettle. “Didn’t you make me one?”
“Didn’t know you were ready, darling.” Helen looked severely at her. “Jenny’s waiting for you. I thought you were getting dressed.”
“Oh, that won’t take long. I need coffee first. And something to eat. Do we have any cake?” She pulled open a cupboard and began to rummage.
“Cake? For breakfast? Really, Kate, you
must eat properly. Have some toast, at least.” Helen got up and opened the bread bin hopefully.
“No, I want cake.” Kate was firm. “Or chocolate. That would do. You all right, Jen?”
“Better than you, I think.” Jenny was watching Kate, a speculative glint in her eye. “So where did you go last night?”
“Just out for a drink. Really, Mum, there must be cake. We always have cake.”
“Oh, for goodness sake!” Helen opened a cupboard. “In here. There’s some cupcakes in that box.”
Kate pulled out the Tupperware container and helped herself to a cupcake. “Want one?” She held them out to Jenny.
“No, thanks. Just had breakfast. Proper breakfast.” Jenny took a sip of her coffee and watched Kate over the rim. “Who were you out with last night?”
Kate turned round and fixed her with a warning glare, then grabbed a mug from the mug tree. “God, I really need a coffee. Finding it very hard to wake up this morning. I didn’t sleep well at all last night.”
“Wedding nerves.” Helen smiled indulgently at her. “Only to be expected. Once the Hen Night is over, the next three weeks are going to fly by. You won’t have time to be nervous. Now I must get on. We haven’t all got the day off work. Have fun, you two, and I’ll see you later.” With a wave of her hand, she disappeared through into the hall, and they heard the front door open and close as she left for work.
Kate made a strong cup of black coffee and leant against the worktop, cradling it in her hands.
“Kate? Who with?”
“You know who with.”
“Oh, Kate, you didn’t! I thought you agreed it wasn’t a good idea.”
“It wasn’t. And if there’d been a phone signal at the pub we went to, you’d have found that out last night. I sent you a text in a panic, but it wouldn’t send.”
“Oh, god, what happened? Why did you panic?”
Kate sighed and joined her friend at the table. She picked a second cake out of the box and took a large bite. “It was a lovely evening. We went to a little pub in the middle of nowhere, and he bought me dinner. That was my first panic. Suddenly it was like a proper date. But it was all nice, and he told me all about his travelling.”
Breaking All the Rules Page 6
