‘According to the temperature gauge in the car, it’s a couple of degrees warmer down here than it was in town.’
I could well believe it. It was a still evening and I actually felt quite toasty, but I also felt irritated and the weather seemed like a good thing to moan about. Saved me from addressing the real issue.
Andy offered his arm but I shook my head. ‘Warmer in my pockets.’
‘Are you okay?’ he asked, stopping. ‘You don’t seem yourself tonight.’
‘I’m fine.’ Except I really wasn’t. And what I was doing to Andy wasn’t fine either. It wasn’t his fault about Nick… well, ultimately it was, but it wasn’t his fault how I was feeling so I needed to either be nice to him or be honest and tell him that getting back together was never going to happen and he should go back to London. I took a deep breath. ‘There’s something I need to tell you…’
My phone beeped in my pocket. Happy to postpone the awkward conversation, I reached for it, muttering my excuses.
?? From Elise
Just seen Nick and Blonde hugging. Sorry xx
‘Everything okay?’ asked Andy.
‘Sorry. Just a bit of bad news but I’ll get over it.’
‘Anything I can help with?’
‘No. I don’t think anything can be done about it.’
We walked in silence for a while. ‘You said there was something you wanted to tell me…’ Andy prompted.
‘Did I?’ What was the point? I’d blown it with Nick. I wasn’t sure if Andy was right for me but he’d extended his booking at The Ramparts and was around for a few more days. Maybe that was enough time to fall in love with him again. It wasn’t like I didn’t enjoy his company or find him attractive. I’d loved him once before. With time, it might happen again.
‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘I’ve forgotten what I was going to say. Couldn’thave been that important.’ I took my hand out my pocket and linked his arm.
‘Wait here a moment,’ he said when we’d almost reached the lighthouse. He took several steps forward, put his fingers in his mouth, and whistled loudly. A couple of teens appeared. He handed them something, then they ran past me down the pier.
‘What was all that about?’ I asked when Andy returned to my side.
‘They were keeping an eye on something for me. Come on.’ He took my hand and led me to the side of the lighthouse where a picnic blanket covered the ground. There were some cushions on it, an ice bucket holding what looked like champagne, two glasses and a box of expensive chocolates.
‘Andy! When did you do this?’
‘Just before I collected you. Would the pretty lady like to take a seat?’
He took my hand again as I lowered myself onto one of the cushions. ‘I’ve got something else too.’ He rummaged under the blanket and produced a pan with a big red bow tied to it. He held it out to me. ‘For the one I killed.’
I laughed as I accepted it. ‘You didn’t have to do that, but thanks.’
Andy looked a little lost as to what to do next. Feeling my impatience with him ebbing away, I patted the blanket next to me. He looked grateful as he plonked himself down. ‘Champagne?’ he asked.
‘Are we celebrating something?’
‘Every day I get to see you is a celebration.’
I looked at him, shocked, and we both started laughing. ‘That was one of the worst lines I’ve ever heard,’ I said when the laughter subsided.
‘I promise you it sounded better in my head. I’m so sorry.’ Andy hung his head in shame. ‘Can you forgive me for being so cheesy?’
He reminded me of a naughty puppy desperately seeking approval. Poor Andy. He was trying so hard. I had to stop thinking about myself and think about him and how tough it must be giving everything and getting so little in return. I felt an overwhelming desire to kiss him again but decided to go for a hug instead.
When I pulled away, Andy poured the champagne and offered me a chocolate. Both were icy cold and delicious.
With the champagne bubbles going straight to my head, I finally felt myself relax. As I emptied my third glass in the space of about twenty minutes, there was a momentary pause in our small-talk about what we’d done that day. I looked towards the seafront where the illuminations around the cinema, the theatre, and various amusement arcades twinkled invitingly. It was all very romantic. Gazing back at his profile as he looked up towards Whitsborough Bay Castle, high on the cliff top beyond the harbour, I willed myself to feel something for him. I didn’t need fireworks to go off, but I did need a little spark.
