‘That’s one word to describe her designs.’
Cooper had brought wine, along with a Moroccan tagine and crispy falafels with tabbouleh salad. We ate sitting at the tasting table in the consultation room, relaxing in the comfy chairs away from the kitchen clutter. Conversation was largely about how Sam was doing, and whether Orla was totally out of her mind to take him home, along with whether Annie was even crazier to have abandoned her business to help.
‘There’s clearly something going on with her and Greg. We’ve not heard them talking on the phone once. And she told us he was in Singapore, but according to Insta he ate at Vinnie’s Pasta House in New York last night.’
‘Surely he wouldn’t be stupid enough to lie about what country he’s in and then post pictures proving otherwise?’
I shrugged. ‘I think it’s more likely she’s lying to us. I’m wondering if she’s left him, and has no intention of going back to New York. Her business website says that she’s on vacation, and is taking no bookings for the foreseeable future.’
I took another bite of falafel. ‘Anyway. Enough of my family. Let’s talk about us.’
‘Is this a “Where is this relationship going?” conversation, because I think that’s sorted for now.’
I laughed. ‘No, it’s a “tell me about yourself” conversation. In Derbyshire we did the heavy stuff. How about the everyday, normal stuff that most couples already know by the time they’ve reached “I do”?’
‘Okay. I like that idea. How should we do it?’
‘We each take turns asking questions on a topic. Both have to answer.’
‘Agreed.’ Cooper poured us both another glass of wine. ‘How about first topic – things that really get on our nerves?’
‘Ooh. Good choice.’ I thought about it for a couple of seconds. ‘Lateness.’
‘Yes! Me too.’ Cooper narrowed his eyes. ‘How about answering a question with another question?’
‘Oh no, I hate it much more when people reply with something vague like, “Soon”.’
‘Maybe that’s as precise as they can get, given the available information.’
‘Which is why they need to ask another question before they give an answer!’
‘Fair enough. What else?’
I took another sip of wine, stalling for time. ‘People who ask us for free cakes, in exchange for featuring it on their social media. They pretend they’re doing us a favour, as if we’re desperate for publicity and their two-hundred followers will make all the difference.’
‘Okay, I see where you’re coming from. How about adding a running commentary to films?’
‘I love talking about a film I’m watching! Even if I’m by myself. And as long as I’m not in the cinema.’
‘Duly noted.’
‘So, what about films as the next topic?’
And so we went on…
It was turning into the perfect date. Great food, easy conversation, a crackle of potential in the air. Once we’d finished eating, I fetched throws from the design room and we watched the twilight settle through the shop window. Beyond the faint hum of cars from the main road two streets away, the night was quiet and still. Cooper angled his chair so that I could rest my feet on his lap, and we held hands under the blankets.
We spent a while playing each other our favourite songs. I introduced Cooper toHamilton, and to my surprise and amusement he revealed a love of the sappiest, cheesiest, verging-on-the-slightly-sexist country music.
‘I didn’t know you could get country music like this. I thought it was all Dolly and Johnny Cash.’
‘Come on now, lady,’ Cooper said in a terrible country drawl. ‘Get with the times.’
By the end of the first song, I was mesmerised. ‘That was ridiculously sad. But somehow at the same time, it wasn’t bleak or depressing. Like sad but happy sad. I don’t know how to describe it.’
‘It’s straight down the line,’ Cooper said. ‘That’s why I love it. Too much of my life has been bleak. However sad country music gets, it’s never bitter.’
He put his glass down. Uh-oh. I knew what was coming next.
