Page 88 of The Second Chance Supper Club

‘Ah, that’s nice. They are always so kind, the lads. And of course, you’ve been having some cooking lessons, too.’ Cath chivvied the conversation on, as she hovered on the step.

‘Yeah, the lads have been great. We had a bit of fun when they came and showed me how to make a couple of dishes. And hey, it actually wasn’t as difficult as I’d feared. Oh, sorry … come on in.’ It suddenly dawned on him that he was keeping her waiting.

She followed him to the kitchen which was filled with aromas of chicken … and peppers, she thought. ‘Well, something’s smelling good, anyhow.’

‘My secret supper.’ Will managed a small smile at that. ‘So, can I get you a drink? A glass of wine, or a gin and tonic?’

‘Ooh yes, I’ll have a G&T, thanks.’ She bloody well needed a stiff drink to help keep this conversation up. Come on, Nikki and Lily, hurry up, girls.

With that, Will’s mobile rang. ‘Hel-lo,’ he answered. There was a pause, and then, ‘Oh … oh, I see, well that’s a shame. And what about Lily?’

Another pause, as she watched Will’s face drop further. ‘Oh … right.’

He ended the call looking a little pale, then he gave an anxious cough. ‘Well … uhm, I’m sorry, it looks like it’s just you and me.’

Oh shit. ‘What on earth’s happened?’ Cath was suddenly fearing the worst for her special gang.

‘Well, it seems that Kev’s dropped Nikki right in it. He’s had to dash off on some emergency electrical job, and she doesn’t have a sitter anymore. Too last minute to get anyone else, either.’

‘Oh.’

‘And Lily’s calling in with something for our pudding course,’ he continued, ‘but then she has to go and visit her grandma this evening. She’d forgotten all about that apparently, and her parents have gone off it with her. She sent her apologies with Nikki.’

‘So, it’s only us two … hmm, well that’s a bit awkward, isn’t it,’ Cath admitted openly. ‘I’ve got six starters all ready to make here, too.’ She took a large gulp of the gin he’d just handed her, then swiftly added, ‘Look, I can head back home if you like. We can reschedule when the others can make it … I know this must be difficult for you.’ It wasn’t at all easy for her either in the circumstances.

‘Oh … umm.’ Will looked a bit lost. ‘I’m not sure. It feels a bit rude kicking you out.’ He paused, giving himself a moment to think.

‘Honestly, it’s okay. I can leave.’ It would be easier to just gather her things and go. It was going to be bloody tricky otherwise, a dinner for two.

Will’s shoulders seemed to sag, then lifted a little, his brow slightly creased as if he was struggling to know what to do for the best. ‘Look, the supper’s already in the oven. It seems a shame to waste it. Umm, I suppose you could stay for that, at least … if you want to, that is. And Lily is meant to be calling in.’

Should I stay or should I go now? started playing in her head. Weirdly, she suddenly wondered if Matty … Will, might remember that track by The Clash from years ago. And, flipping heck, she definitely felt like trouble. But a big part of her did want to stay – to try and put things right between them. And well, he hadn’t shown her the door at least.

‘Okay, but only if you’re sure,’ she said.

He nodded.

This was going to be so uncomfortable; supper for the two of them, but hey, maybe they’d get chance to talk some more. It might even help move the friendship back on to more stable ground. One small step at a time.

‘Thank you.’

Sat in the lounge five minutes later, gin to hand, and a bowl of cheesy nibbles that she was diving into far too often – she was putting it down to nerves – they chatted about Adam being a lot better, and the latest from the bicycle shop, there being nothing of particular note, mostly services and broken chains … and broken hearts, thought Cath. Wishing things might have turned out differently for the two of them, back then and now. They were trying their best, but it all felt slightly laboured between them. Was this really such a good idea, her staying?

She glanced out of the window for a few seconds, catching a glimpse of a blonde-haired lady with a pink baseball cap on, who happened to be walking by. Suddenly the woman ducked down, tying a shoelace or something perhaps. Oddly, she’d had the look of Nikki, just for that split second. Must be someone who looked a bit like her – there were always people staying in the village on holiday, especially at this time of the year.

Thankfully, it wasn’t long before Lily called in. That helped break the tension, at least.

‘Hi, guys! I’m so sorry to have to let you down. But here it is, pudding for you.’ She passed over a delicious-looking meringue and cream dish. ‘Passionfruit pavlova.’

Was that a little smirk Cath saw drifting across Lily’s lips? ‘Oh, that looks amazing, Lily. Thank you,’ said Will. ‘Are you staying for a drink, or perhaps some food?’

Please, thought Cath. Anything to help ease the atmosphere in here.

‘Ah, sorry, guys, I’m gonna have to dash. Mum and Dad are ready to go to Grandma’s …’ She made a show of checking her watch. ‘In around five minutes, so I’m going to have to head back right away. Soz. But have a lovely evening.’ She gave them both a big smile, and was already turning on her heels and heading off for the doorway, Will following to see her out. Wow, how could the two of them keep this up? The conversation had been stalling for the past ten minutes, as it was. Cath took another large sip of her gin and was up on her feet. She needed to keep busy. And, despite the fact her hunger had disappeared entirely, she told Will she was going to the kitchen to prep the starter. Her head was beginning to thrum, and she was already wondering at what point it might be okay to leave. A swift exit straight after the main seemed like the best option.

Cath was head down purposefully prepping food in the kitchen. She’d popped salad leaves onto two plates, taken from the original stack of six left ready on the side.

Now to cook the goat’s cheese. She’d brought baking parchment and laid it out on the grill pan, placing two rounds of the cheese on it. Grill on, warming up … Will was now stood at her shoulder, watching – close, a little too close.