Page 44 of Doubting Hearts

Toby’s voice continued, getting a little more animated. “Well, you know we usually have this whole Winter Festival thing in November on Guy Fawkes in Dave’s barns, and it’s quite a big thing, with people all over the country coming to take part?”

“Yes, I know about it.”

“Well, Dave and I were talking, and we thought that maybe we could do some fund-raising before the fair, try and get Mark some of the money he needs for the family holiday.”

I felt a warmth surge through my body. Trust my compassionate Toby to think of something like that. “That’s a great idea. What are you going to do—have sheep-throwing contests?” I chuckled at the thought of one of my woolly nemeses being hurled through the air at great speed. There was another bout of quietness on Toby’s side. The prickle of unease intensified. “Toby. What have you gotten us into this time?”

“Errm. This is why I wanted to speak to you when you got to the hotel later rather than on the phone. Maybe we should just leave it and talk then—”

I interrupted him in agitation. “What the hell have you done? I really don’t like the sound of wherever this is going.”

There was a pause, and then he spoke diffidently. “I might have volunteered you for a pole dance on a stage and maybe a bit of a dance or a striptease so we can sell tickets for it. You’re so good at it. I’m sure loads of people will come—”

“You fucking what? Are you out of your bloody mind?” If I hadn’t been sitting down, I would have sunk to the ground with boneless legs. Lucas stopped what he was doing and watched in surprise as I leaped to my feet and strode around in sheer disbelief. “I’m not doing any pole dance and striptease for the whole bloody town! What the hell were you thinking of?”

Lucas’s mouth dropped open at my words, and as they filtered through, a huge grin traversed his face, and he chuckled loudly. I gave him a withering look, turning back to the conversation with my boyfriend.

Toby tried to reason with me. “Rain, honey, you know you’re a bit of an exhibitionist. Dave and I thought it was such a great idea. We can sell tickets all over the place, and I’m sure we’ll get a huge turnout for people to see you. You know the ladies love you, the guys too. It’s for a good cause. We needed something really different, and I didn’t think you’d mind once you got used to the idea. You love performing for me.”

“Toby, that’s for you, in the privacy of my own home and not with my junk splayed out for all to see. For God’s sake, this has to be the most harebrained idea you’ve ever had. The answer’s no. I’m not doing it. And Dave’s starting to sound like a bloody pervert.” I was breathing heavily now, and for all the wrong reasons.

When Toby spoke again his voice was subdued. “Okay. I thought you’d be up for the whole Full Monty thing without the actual full monty. I’m sorry. I was wrong. I’ll figure something else out. Not the sheep tossing, though. The RSPCA wouldn’t like that at all. I’ll speak to you later, then.”

The phone went dead, and I stared at it in frustration.

Lucas sauntered up to me, a wide smile on his face. “Well, well, well. From what I heard that sounded like a really interesting conversation. What has your crazy boyfriend got you doing now?”

“He offered my services to the Winter Festival to raise funds for that little girl that’s had a heart operation. Services that included pole dancing and a blasted striptease,” I said indignantly.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. “And you said no.”

I stared at him in exasperation. “Well, of course I bloody did. I’m not going on show in front of the whole fucking town and anyone else that comes along. And it’ll be bloody freezing, and all my bits will get frostbite!” I thought guiltily that I wasn’t going to admit that the idea did have a certain appeal to it. I’d always loved dancing and using the pole in the nightclubs to hordes of onlookers, and I’d gotten quite a thrill out of it. Toby knew that, so I supposed I shouldn’t have been all that shocked that he might think I’d do it again. But the whole thing with Toby had just caught me a little by surprise. My knee-jerk reaction was once again to go on the defensive.

Lucas nodded his shaggy head. “It never bothered you to flaunt yourself when you used to go out with Tommy to the clubs. And this is for a good cause, and to be honest, you’ll probably have more clothes on at this one.” He grinned.

He’d heard some of my stories in the past about the level of dancing and stripping I’d sunk to, and he was probably right. I hadn’t ever told Toby about that part of the story, though. I cast a dirty glare in my friend’s direction.

He sighed. “Rain, you know you’re not really annoyed at this whole thing. You just don’t like being volunteered because you didn’t get the chance to have your say first. You’re so bloody macho sometimes.” He chuckled. “I for one would pay good money to see you muck about on stage half naked.” He grinned. “Honestly, it’ll be a hoot. Tammy would love it too. So, there’s two tickets already. I’m willing to bet half the bloody town will pitch in to see you show your booty on stage. I think it’s a bloody good idea and for a very good cause.”

His reasonableness made me feel like a heel for sounding off at my lover, and I frowned and kicked the curb sulkily. Lucas shook his head.

“You have a think about it, and in the meantime, partner, this lumber isn’t going to shift itself. Can we get back to the task at hand, please?” He wandered over to the van and started shifting the timber off again. I followed moodily. I supposed I’d think about the whole thing and see what else Toby had to say later. But he was definitely going to pay for volunteering me without speaking to me first. And I had a pretty good idea how to punish him.