Page 28 of Flowers Go Flying in Crumbleton
‘Oooh yes please!’ she said.
Huh – so it wasn’t just the sight of her that made him feel all… flippy. The sound of her voice was enough to make him feel like he had an entire rainforest of butterflies having a party in his stomach too.
Murray swallowed and then turned back to the machine, sending super-heated steam bubbling into the milk with a strangled hiss.
He knew just how that felt!
At least the noise gave him an excuse not to speak for a few seconds. He was having a hard time trying to figure out how to make small-talk with the goddess sitting right behind him. He just needed a couple of seconds to pull himself together.
‘Sugar?’ he said when the milk was so frothy it was threatening to climb right out of the jug.
‘No thanks.’
Damnit. He was out of excuses not to turn around and face her!
Filling the mug to the brim with the creamy concoction, Murray picked it up and turned slowly on the spot - only to find himself pinned by her eyes. Milly didn’t look any more comfortable than he felt.
Come on man – you’re the host here – say something to make her relax!
‘Here,’ he said, popping the coffee down in front of her and then fidgeting from foot to foot.
Great. Nice job!
Murray winced. Had he always been such a sarcastic asshat inside his own head? He desperately wanted to sit down. The room was suddenly a bit swimmy.
‘Thanks,’ said Milly, not taking her eyes off him. ‘Are you… erm… going to sit?’
Ah… so she was a mind reader. That was bad news!
‘Sit? Yes, good plan,’ he muttered, feeling increasingly awkward – though he wasn’t entirely sure why.
Maybe it had something to do with the fact that the object of his desire had turned up out of nowhere, been naked in his shower, and was now sitting in his kitchen, wearing his clothes. Or maybe it was because they’d only shared about five words before the most memorable kiss of his life… and then not spoken again for a year and a half.
‘You’re looking a bit pale,’ she said with a worried frown.
‘Didn’t sleep too well in hospital,’ he mumbled, scrunching his eyes closed in an attempt to make the room stay still. It didn’t help. He quickly sank down into the chair opposite Milly. Better to sit down before he fell down, after all!
‘I bet,’ said Milly, shooting him a look that was both sympathetic and – for some reason – full of guilt. She pulled her coffee towards her and cradled it in her hands.
‘Are you cold?’ he said.
‘I’m fine, thanks,’ said Milly, shaking her head. ‘But seriously though – are you okay? After the… erm… accident, I mean.’
‘I’m fine,’ he sighed.
‘That’s not what everyone’s been saying and I’ve been so worried!’ she said, her words tripping over themselves. ‘That’s why I’m here, in case you’re wondering. I wanted to apologise.’
‘What on earth for?’ said Murray, raising his eyebrows – then wishing he hadn’t. That hurt! ‘And… what’s everyone saying?’
He wasn’t sure he really wanted to know… but perhaps it was better coming from Milly than finding out the next time Josh left an obnoxious message on his answering machine.
‘I’m sorry about the flowers,’ said Milly, scrubbing at her face. ‘I mean – I know how heavy that bouquet was. It’s what Elizabeth wanted… but they should have come with a health and safety warning or something and…’
Murray held up a hand and shook his head. ‘Milly – seriously,’ he chuckled, ‘there’s no way it was your fault.’
‘But I—’
‘Nope!’ said Murray, cutting across her.
