‘Well… I think I may have clicked with someone too.’
Archie chuckled. ‘Let me guess, Mr Death? No… no… Mammy’s boy?’
She whacked his arm playfully. ‘Neither, thank you! No, I think Grace’s friend’s dad might be about to ask me out.’
Archie glanced over in the direction her attention was focused. ‘Ooh, the Paul Hollywood lookalike? Good work.’
Caitlin leaned closer. ‘If he comes over, please, whatever you do, don’t mention the Paul Hollywood thing. He seems to be quite insulted by it.’
Archie scrunched his brow and nodded. ‘Aye, all right. Wouldnae mind being a pound behind the bloke though, eh?’
As Archie finished speaking, Lyle finally made it across the room. ‘Evening folks. How are you doing?’ He eyed Archie suspiciously.
‘Lyle, this is Archie, my friend from Glentorrin. He gave me a lift tonight.’
A look of relief crossed Lyle’s features as he held out his hand. ‘Ah, good to meet you, Archie. Any luck this evening?’
Archie nodded. ‘Aye, I got the number of a very sweet lassie. In fact, I can see her over there, so I might go over and say goodnight.’ He winked at Caitlin and left the two of them alone.
Caitlin smiled up at Lyle. ‘So… how’s it gone?’
Lyle sucked air in through his teeth and shook his head. ‘There’s only one woman that I’m in the slightest bit interested in. But I’m worried she may have found a date already.’ He looked despondent and her heart sank. Too late again.
‘That’s a shame,’ she said, trying to hide her disappointment.
He nodded. ‘Aye, she had a very tempting offer of a life as a funeral director’s wife. I think it was the childbearing hips comment that snagged her.’ His eyes glinted and Caitlin realised what he was saying.
She burst out laughing. ‘Well, that does sound like a tempting offer. You can hardly blame her, can you?’
He shook his head. ‘Not really. I mean… who am I but a mere doppelganger for Paul Hollywood?’
Caitlin couldn’t help the huge smile that spread across her face. ‘I quite like him onBake Off.’
‘So… what do you say, Miss Fraser? Do you fancy a night out with an ageing financial director?’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘I did wonder what your occupation was.’
He leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially, ‘Aye, well my daughter assures me that no one wants to date a plain old, boring accountant so…’ He shrugged.
Her heart skipped a little and she chewed her lip, trying to stop herself from grinning like an idiot. ‘Oh, I don’t know. I think I’d be happy to go on a date with an accountant… or a financial director for that matter.’
His eyes lit up. ‘You would? That’s grand. Shall we say next Saturday, and I’ll cook?’
‘That would be lovely, thank you.’
‘Great. Although, don’t expect Paul Hollywood standards, eh?’
She nodded. ‘Noted.’
‘I’ve got your mobile number. Cora got it from Grace.’ He laughed. ‘Kids, eh? Well, I’d better get going. My neighbour’s staying with Cora just now and I don’t want to be too late.’
‘Yes, I’m the same. My friend is with Grace.’
‘I’ll be in touch.’ He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, his fresh-scented aftershave once again clouding her senses, and she closed her eyes for a brief second to revel in it. He paused for a moment. ‘Actually, I don’t think I can wait until Saturday. Can I call you before that and we could go for a drink at the Coxswain in Glentorrin, maybe?’
Caitlin’s heart skipped again. ‘I’d like that very much.’
He smiled and his eyes crinkled at the corners. ‘I’ll look forward to that.’
