Page 40 of The Second Chance Supper Club

‘Coupes,’ Andreas elaborated.

‘Ooh, delish. Seems a lot sweeter now, mind,’ added Nikki as she took her first taste. ‘But it’s still lovely.’

‘That’s because you’ve doused yourself in Prosecco these past few years.’ Andreas winked.

After a few more sips, Nikki disappeared to the kitchen. When she came back, she was carrying a tray of glasses filled with layers of crispy green and creamy pink. ‘And the first course is … ta-dah, my bloody Mary prawn cocktail.’

‘Oh, that sounds positively delightful, Niks,’ said Cath.

The glasses were loaded with crisp iceberg lettuce, a rich cocktail-style sauce and king prawns. A half-moon slice of lemon had been placed over the rim.

‘These look gorgeous, Nikki. Thank you,’ Andreas said. ‘Oh, this has certainly got some oomph,’ said Dan, after his first spoonful.

‘Delicious. Spicy, with a kick of vodka, yes?’ Will grinned. It certainly tasted great to Cath. The prawns were juicy and the sauce had a chilli-vodka kick. ‘Love it,’ she added. ‘What a great idea, to twist up a prawn cocktail.’

‘Well, there wasn’t really much cooking involved, I have to confess. A bit of mayo, tommy puree, spices, lemon, and a splash of vodka that I found at the back of the cupboard.’

‘Don’t put yourself down,’ said Dan. ‘Good food doesn’t have to be complicated, just tasty. And if you don’t happen to be slogging all day in the kitchen, all the better. As you get to enjoy the occasion too.’

‘Ah, thanks, guys. Though I am a bit nervous about the main,’ Nikki confessed. ‘I’ve set myself a task, I’m cooking steak for everyone. Hope you like them medium, ’cos I don’t think there’s any way I can do them all different.’

‘Oh, that sounds wonderful. But I hope you didn’t feel you had to go to all that expense and trouble for us,’ Will said thoughtfully.

Indeed, Cath thought, supper club had been about getting together over good food, but it shouldn’t mean it had to cost a fortune. Her own funds were limited just now, and Cath really didn’t want to put pressure on anyone in the group financially or otherwise, nor make them feel uncomfortable. ‘Absolutely,’ she agreed. ‘There’s no need to spend a fortune.’ ‘Nah, it’s fine. I got a good tip on Monday, did an oven clean as an extra,’ Nikki explained. ‘And well, I know how to cook a steak for me and Kev, as it’s his favourite. So, I figured it was best to stick with what I know. Just need to have two pans on the go at once. Also, it just happens to be a Seventies classic, and Lily’s made a “Diane” sauce for them. And the chips are in the air fryer as we speak.’ The hostess was up and ready to go again.

‘Let us know if we can help?’ offered Andreas.

‘Thanks, but I have Lils as my sous chef. She’s been doing a grand job.’

With Dan and Andreas deep in conversation about some technical issue with the post office that had cropped up at the shop, Will leaned in to ask Cath how she was feeling after the bike accident, and then what she’d been ‘up to’ lately. How did he make that question sound sexy? His breath was warm on her cheek, and his long, manly fingers were clasped gently around his wine glass. She felt her pulse rise, her nerve endings tingling. His eyes caught hers, those dark pools hiding depths of emotions, his inevitable grief still lingering there as well as the flickers of humour and light. Why did those eyes seem familiar, when they’d surely never met until she moved into the village? And why, dammit, was she feeling so very odd, like a bloody teenager with a crush?

Man up, Cath. Don’t overthink it. He’s just a friend, a new friend … who happens to be rather attractive … and looks like Marti Pellow. Gulp. Hmm, it was that melting kind of look across the eyes that she seemed to recognize for sure. Those ‘Angel Eyes’ really were setting her on fire.

And as they finished their starter, he asked, ‘So Cath, how did you come to choose our little village of Tilldale as your new home?’

‘Well, we’d been to the area often as kids. My mum and dad used to bring us up to Belford … to the caravan park there.’ ‘Ah, right.’ Will took a sip of wine. Suddenly shifting in his seat, he leaned back, away from her.

‘Then later,’ Cath continued, ‘as I loved the area so much, I came back with my own family. It’s so beautiful here, the coast, the countryside. We booked a cottage a few times in the summer holidays. That’s when I rediscovered Tilldale. We ate in the village pub.’

‘Hah, always a good watering hole.’ Will managed a tight smile, then went quiet, looking pensive. The conversation between them came to a halt, and thankfully, the main course of steaks arrived, Lily and Nikki bringing the plates in.

‘Sirloin steaks à la Diane. Bloody hell, I hope I’ve cooked them all right. I’ve been worrying about this bit all day.’

‘I’m sure they’ll be delicious,’ reassured Will.

Everyone tucked in, and despite Nikki’s concerns, they were cooked well – still a little pink in the middle – served with chips, broccoli, and Lily’s piquant garlic-mushroom Diane sauce. The tummies around the table were soon full and happy.

‘You’ve done us proud, Nikki. And Lily. Thank you,’ said Cath.

‘Compliments to the chef.’ Will raised his wine glass, now filled with a smooth Merlot. ‘Or chefs should I say. That Diane sauce is delicious, Lily.’

‘Bravissimo!’ Andreas gave a salute. ‘Or, Yperocho! should I say. Wonderful.’

Watching the group chat together, Cath had been thinking about how hard it had felt starting over again in a new place, yet already she was making friends. Dan and Andreas must have done the same, moving here several years ago, but their situation would have been very different.

‘Do you mind if I ask you something, guys?’ Cath ventured, looking to the lads as she spoke, and feeling far more comfortable with the group.

‘Absolutely, fire away …’ said Andreas.