Relieved that this was his question, she couldn’t help the laugh that escaped. ‘What is it with the universe trying to put me and Archie together?’
He shrugged. ‘Maybe if I’m not the only one who’s asked, could it be something we’re all seeing that you’re not?’
Caitlin made a very unflattering noise. ‘Pfft! Don’t you all think I’d know if I was in love with him?’
Bram eyed her with pity. ‘Honestly? No. I think you’ve somehow convinced yourself that you’re not into him. But your eyes give you away. I saw it at the barbecue. The way you watch him with a little smile on your lips. The way your pupils dilate when he talks to you.’
She scoffed again. ‘I’m sorry, but you’ve imagined that. And you don’t really know me well enough to see my signs of attraction.’
He smiled sadly. ‘I know when I don’t see them, Caitlin. And I didn’t see that spark when you looked at me like I did when you looked at him.’
She sighed in exasperation. ‘But I’ve only just met you. Give me time.’
He shook his head. ‘Caitlin, why force yourself to like someone else when your heart’s already chosen for you?’
She had no idea what to say to that. She couldn’t tell him he was wrong and that scared her.
‘And if you’re worried that he doesn’t feel the same, don’t be. He couldn’t take his eyes off you either. I really don’t understand why you’re both fighting something that’s so clear to everyone else.’
She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again. What could she say? She didn’t want to try to convince him that he was the one she liked because, in all honesty, he was a lovely guy, handsome, sweet, kind, but there was no spark. He got that bit right. But then again, she wasn’t expecting one. She was no longer hoping for that thunderbolt. She just wanted someone to spend time with, who made her feel important and special, who adored Grace, who made her laugh, who went the extra mile for her, who was a good father…
Shit…
She inhaled a sharp breath, and her hands covered her mouth.
Bram smiled. ‘Ah, methinks the penny hath dropped.’
With wide eyes, she said, ‘Oh, Bram, I’m so sorry. You must think I’m awful.’
He shook his head. ‘Not at all. Now, do yourself a favour, eh? Tell him how you feel. Don’t leave it until it’s too late.’ He stood from his seat. ‘Good luck, Caitlin. See you around.’
And with that he left her sitting there, stunned into a stupor at her realisation.
* * *
‘Mum! What’s for dinner? Can we have spaghetti? And garlic bread if you’ve a baguette left over?’ Grace entered the kitchen where Caitlin had been sitting since she’d arrived through from the bakery at five-thirty. It was now six o’clock. ‘Mum? Are you okay?’
Caitlin was tugged from her thoughts. ‘What’s that, love?’
‘Dinner? Spaghetti?’
Caitlin smiled. ‘Oh, sure, honey, yes. I could make some garlic bread too if you like. I’ve a baguette left over.’
Grace giggled. ‘I just asked that.’
Caitlin gave an embarrassed smile as her cheeks flushed. ‘Oh… sorry, love.’
‘It’s okay. I saw Archie at the field. He was with Sophie and a woman I haven’t seen here before. She was really pretty. Long blonde hair like Cinderella.’
Caitlin’s interest piqued. ‘Oh? Did he introduce you?’
‘Nah. We were playing with the dogs. He waved though.’
‘Right… right.’ Who would that have been? The different possibilities played around her mind, social worker? New love interest? If it was the latter, he’d wasted no time. If it was the former, perhaps he would fall for her, and her Cinderella charm and they would bond over their care of Sophie. She realised that she was probably being irrational, and a tad crazy, but it didn’t stop her imagining a myriad different scenarios.
Caitlin went through the motions of cooking dinner. Grace set the table and Caitlin served the food, then they sat to eat, but her mind wandered to Archie again. His smile, his awkward way of acting then apologising even when there was no need. The way he had arranged Grace’s party. His biceps when he helped her change her tyre. The giddy feeling she experienced when he was around. The way she felt protective over him after the things Wozadeath said. When had it happened? How had it happened? But, more to the point, what the hell could she do about it? Should she even do anything about it? What if Bram was wrong and Archie didn’t feel the same? How could she tell him how she felt and then live in the same village knowing that someday she would see him with someone else?
‘Mum? Did you hear what I said?’
