Caitlin was relieved that the conversation appeared to be over. ‘That’d be fab, thanks, sweetheart.’
* * *
Once Grace was tucked up in bed with her book, Caitlin took a glass of well-earned wine into the garden. The sun was setting, rendering the sky a golden, orangey pink and she sat at the table with Cleo on her lap. From the kitchen, the local radio station’s weather forecaster predicted a sunny weekend ahead, which pleased Caitlin. She had Sunday off and thought it might be nice to take Grace somewhere for a picnic. Perhaps she’d pack some nuts and seeds as a joke.
Her mind drifted to Lyle Budge and his eyes that crinkled when he smiled. She guessed he was probably around five years her senior but had no clue what he did for a living. She’d have to do a little digging. Although she was still unsure if what Grace and Cora had decided between them was actual fact or just wishful thinking on their parts. She’d always thought he was an attractive man, but now that he was single…
‘What do you think about marriage, Cleo? Can you imagine me in a white frock at a church?’
Cleo sneezed.
‘Aye, I thought as much.’
Caitlin’s phone pinged with a text message, and she picked it up, expecting to see a message from Jules. Instead, it was from Archie. She’d completely forgotten he had her number from the time he repaired her laptop. She tapped on the screen.
Hi Caitlin. I just wanted to say your rolls are huge and totally amazing, Archie.
She thought it was nice of him to say so. As she took another sip of her wine another text followed.
I meant your bread rolls. I wasn’t insinuating you’re fat!
Caitlin stared at the screen and snort-laughed, almost choking on her drink. She hit reply.
That’s a relief. Although I actually understood your first message!
She placed her phone down when another text pinged through.
Good! You probably think that I do think you have rolls now that I mentioned fat. I always put my foot in it! Sorry! Anyway, just to clarify, I think you have a very nice figure.
Caitlin widened her eyes, surprised at his response and wasn’t quite sure how to reply. ‘I think someone’s had a few beers, Cleo.’ Luckily, or unluckily, depending on which way you look at it, he beat her to it.
Shit! I hit send and then read what I’d said. I wasn’t meaning to be flirty or forward or anything by talking about your figure. I’ve had a few beers. My apologies.
Caitlin giggled and said aloud, ‘That figures.’ She imagined him in his garden, phone in one hand, bottle of beer in the other, cursing himself for his messages, smacking his forehead with his palm, and the reason he was single became very obvious.If he’s this awkward around women, there’s no wonder.
She hit reply.
Honestly, it’s fine! I’m glad you enjoyed the rolls.
6
Friday started off much the same as the rest of the week, and by lunchtime, Caitlin was ready for a nap. Jules’ brother and Caitlin’s drinking buddy, Dexter, had texted again, this time to tell her he’d visited a distillery. By her count, this was probably the third of his trip. He was in his element all right. He deserved the holiday after he’d worked nonstop for Archie since relocating to the village, following in his sister’s footsteps, a year before. Dexter and Jules had always been close, so when she settled in Glentorrin permanently he followed soon after.
Ruby appeared in the doorway just as Caitlin had stuffed a piece of lemon cake, aka lunch, in her mouth. ‘Yikes, someone looks frazzled.’
Caitlin gulped down the sticky, citrus-drizzled confection and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, then blew upwards towards her fringe. ‘That’s not surprising, seeing as it’s exactly how I feel.’
‘I just popped in for a loaf, but can I help at all? I’ve been watching the queues. It’s been manic in the village today.’
She was right. Between the bakery and the café – Tea for Two – next door, run by the village co-op, they must have sold a hundredweight in food.
‘Thanks, Roo, but I can’t ask you to give up your day. And, to be honest, I think I’ll have to close early again. I made extra of everything, but I’m still running low. And because the café has been so busy, I’ve had a mad run on takeaway sandwiches, so I’ve not much salad left.’
Ruby stepped closer to the counter. ‘Look, all I’m doing is working on my dance teaching portfolio for college, so the break from that will do me good. Honestly, I’m happy to help, tomorrow too. Just say the word.’
‘Actually… there is something you could do for me this weekend. Unless you have Saturday evening plans? Please feel free to say no.’
Ruby shook her head. ‘Nothing at all planned. Mitch is up in Edinburgh from tonight. He has a business dinner for one of his housing charities and I asked if he minded me staying home. I’m not quite ready to do public functions like that. I don’t want to take the focus off Mitch’s charity, and if I’m there, the press will focus too much on me and why I’m not in Hollywood or New York.’
