‘Do you have siblings?’
I shook my head. ‘My father’s never been in the picture and Mum died just after I was born. Some things aren’t meant to be.’
‘I’m sorry.’
Growing up, I’d craved a sister. Someone to play with when I was little, and as I got older, to share make-up tips, celebrity gossip and boyfriend highs and lows. We could have danced around our bedroom, sung into hairbrushes and swooned over the latest heartthrob. ‘Don’t be. You can’t miss what you’ve never had.’
‘Must’ve been hard though?’
‘Gran more than made up for it. She did a great job raising me.’
Alex smiled. ‘I can see that.’ He nodded to the ball of wool in my hand. ‘I’ll take four of those please. According to Gran that should be enough.’
I nodded my agreement and grabbing another three, I headed to the counter.
‘Did you get your van sorted?’ Tucking away his photo away, Alex followed me over.
I narrowed my eyes. ‘How do you know about that?’ I took a deep breath and sighed. ‘What was it this time? Smoke signals? Jungle drums? Don’t tell me, yodelling?’
Alex laughed. ‘None of the above. I saw you in the cab of a tow truck and assumed the vehicle on the back was yours.’
‘Poor Beryl,’ I said, bagging the yarn. ‘I just hope they can fix her.’
Alex looked at me deadpan. ‘Beryl?’
‘What’s wrong with that? It’s a lovely name.’ I rang up Alex’s purchase. ‘So how are you settling in?’
‘So far, so good. Although I still need to find somewhere else to live. I could probably cope with the noisy renovations. It’s the getting roped in for extra shifts when I don’t want them that’s annoying. One of the perils of being on site.’
‘I get what you mean. I’m often down here doing inventory checks when I should be upstairs with my feet up.’ I supposed that was the downside to living alone. With only a TV for company most evenings, it was easy to work late and on occasion seemed preferable.
I recalled Joyce’s suggestion that Alex could move in with me. At the time I’d thought the idea ridiculous, but not only would the company do me good, thanks to Beryl’s breakdown and the huge repair bill I’d no doubt be left with, the extra cash would come in handy. Besides, offering him a place to stay wasn’t like putting an ad out and inviting a complete unknown into my house; I knew a little bit about him. I felt safe with Alex; he helped old ladies across the street, for goodness’ sake. ‘I have a spare room,’ I said. ‘You can always rent that?’
Alex stared at me surprised.
‘I know it’s not the same as having your own place, but it would get you out of the pub until you find somewhere more suitable.’
‘It’s kind of you to offer but…’
‘There are no buts from me. If you’ve got good references and can pay your rent, it’s yours if you want it.’
Alex scrunched his nose. ‘I can’t say I’m not tempted. Although I’m heading home for Christmas, so I wouldn’t need it until the new year.’
‘Tell you what, why don’t I show you the room and we can take it from there? You don’t have to decide now. Just know it’s an option.’
Alex’s face lit up. ‘That would be great. As long as you’re sure?’
Being truthful, I wasn’t sure at all. Especially after the previous day’s whim, when I’d had Gideon crawling around the floor looking for a pretend mouse. I obviously wasn’t made for spontaneity, but in this instance, thanks to Beryl it was a case of needs must. ‘Brilliant. Just let me lock up and I’ll take you upstairs.’
Alex stood there dumbfounded, while I headed to the door and flipped the shop sign from open to closed. ‘You mean now?’ he asked.
‘There’s no time like the present,’ I said, before either of us changed our minds. I gestured the way. ‘After you.’
CHAPTER10
Letting Alex go before me, the two of us headed up the first flight of stairs. The scent of his aftershave floated towards me – sandalwood and spices. He smelt gorgeous, and I had a great view of his backside. I knew I shouldn’t look, and I kept averting my eyes, only for them to be drawn straight back to it.
Entering the lounge, I hoped Alex hadn’t anticipated minimalist white. My taste in home décor was the opposite; it was maximalist, colourful and eclectic. Straightening the burgundy and orange cushions scattered on my green velvet sofa, I felt self-conscious. As if, by extension, I was somehow being assessed as well as my home. Thanks to my early morning blitz, I consoled myself in the fact that it was clean and tidy. ‘So what do you think?’ I asked.
