Page 29 of The Loneliest Number
It’s an unusual feeling to be towering over him when he usually dwarfs me, and the shock of seeing him here holds me in place. I don’t want the disadvantage of crawling down and having to look up at him.
“Fancy seeing you here,” he drawls, licking his lips.
“What are you doing here?” I ask with curiosity.
“I had a meeting with Tom,” he says. “What about you?”
“She’s my assistant manager,” Tom adds as he steps out with a clean bar towel to hand Cameron. “You guys know each other?”
Chapter thirteen
Cam
Now, would you fancy that?Pixie. Menace.Abby.Right here, just down the road from The Juniper. Perched on a stepladder, tending to the hanging baskets. That definitely wasn’t on my bingo card when I walked over earlier to meet the owner of The Thirst Trap.
Tom seems like a decent guy. He was happy to meet with me, and I wanted to do some outreach with local businesses to stay on their good side with the building work. And yes, while my plans for The Juniper could be considered competition for the Thirst Trap, I’d much rather find a way to work alongside each other rather than compete. Tom seems to be in agreement, which is great. I’m calling the meeting a success, and it feels like a huge bonus prize to find my Pixie in the wild.
“Tom and I had a business meeting, given we are almost neighbours. I’ve been reaching out to local businesses about my plans with The Juniper. Seeing where we might be able to collaborate.” Her head quirks to the side, her foreheadwrinkling. “I’ve been meaning to message you. Can we meet up again? What about tomorrow?” I ask. It’s less than ideal to stand here holding a stepladder with a wet patch on my crotch, but I don’t want to walk away without knowing.
“I’m working,” she says, still looking mystified. Is she annoyed that I’ve found out where she works?
“What time do you get off? I can come and meet you.”
“It depends how busy it is.”
“You’re only on until 9 pm tomorrow, Abs,” Tom says. She flashes him a look of annoyance.
“Yeah, but I don’t mind staying if we’re busy.” I swallow down the hurt that she’d rather work overtime than see me, especially after not hearing from her all week. It sinks like a weight in my chest, and I can’t help but wonder if she’s done with me.
“I doubt it, midweek. In fact, you can probably finish earlier if you want to make plans.” She frowns at him over my head. “Or not. I’m gonna head back inside, but it was good to meet you, Cameron. I’ll see you soon.”
“Aye, see you then.” I give him a polite smile while trying to work out how to get her down safely.
“Here, step down, lass,” I say.
“I’m not finished yet.” She plucks at flowers in the hanging basket, mutinously.
“I think you got all the dead ones.”
She blows out a sigh, and I catch an eye roll. “I still need to do the one at the end. I should have got Tom to refill the watering can, dammit. Why are you seeing him soon? Is he getting a tour of The Juniper? Is he going upstairs?” she asks as she takes the hand I offer to step down carefully.
I chuckle. “No, not yet. You’ll be the first to know when that’s a possibility, I promise. So, can I come and pick you up tomorrow after work?”
Her gaze shifts to the final hanging basket as she contemplates it. Or perhaps she’s working out how to let me down gently.
“I need to do the last one,” she says, ignoring my question.How can I convince her?
“I’ll wait and hold the ladder for you,” I tell her. She seems bemused by the suggestion but is back swiftly from inside with the watering can topped up. I hold the ladder and the can while she deadheads the flowers. And once again, hold her hand as she steps down, loving the feel of her small palm gripped in my larger one.
“Thank you. This week doesn’t work for me, but maybe soon.” It sounds like a dismissal.
“Oh,” I can’t hold back the disappointment.
“I just need some time. I’m not used to seeing people regularly.” She presses her lips together so tightly they turn white.
“Right, well, I best go get some work done,” I tell her, deciding to leave before I start begging.
Chapter fourteen
