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CHAPTER SEVEN
‘I CAN’T believe you were so successful. Good on you!’ Will sank into one of the armchairs in the staffroom and smiled at Ally. ‘That chap’s been drinking for years.’
‘Who’s been drinking for years?’ Sean walked in and glanced at the coffee-pot.
‘Can I finish that?’
‘Go ahead.’ Will stretched his legs out. ‘We were talking about Geoff Thompson. Ally detoxed him at home and he’s done really well.’
Sean poured himself the last of the coffee and added some milk. ‘Did you use the community alcohol team?’
‘Oh, yes!’ Ally nodded fervently. ‘They were marvellous and, frankly, so was his wife. Now we just have to hope he keeps it up. I’m a bit worried about him, really.’
‘In what way?’ Will tore open a sandwich and started eating his lunch, glancing up as Lucy walked in.
‘I don’t know exactly.’ Ally frowned. ‘He doesn’t seem clinically depressed but, well, he worries me.’
‘Well, it’s been a big blow to his ego, that’s for sure. It’ll take some adjustment, living with what’s happened.’
Sean put his coffee on the table and flexed his long fingers. ‘I spoke to the burns unit today about Kevin Jones.’
Ally stared at him. ‘The boy who was burnt in the fire?’
Sean nodded. ‘He’s doing better than they hoped, although he’s in for a lot of grafting. They think his face should heal perfectly and he should have full use of his hands.’
‘Largely thanks to your heroics, I should think. Talking of which…’ Will stopped chewing and glanced at Sean quizzically. ‘How are yours?’
‘Fully recovered, thanks.’ Sean gave him a brief smile and held out his hands for inspection. ‘Jack found out the story, by the way. Apparently, he was mucking aroun
d with some friends on the waste ground behind the field, and one of them put a firework in his pocket.’
‘Oh, no!’ Ally clapped her hand over her mouth.
Sean gave a grim smile. ‘Oh, yes. Of course, when the thing went off they panicked and legged it, leaving him to sort himself out. It was lucky for him we were all so near.’
‘Poor, poor thing!’ Ally shook her head, horrified. ‘Still, it must have reassured Jack a bit. He was fretting that it was something to do with the mountain rescue function.’
‘Well, they made a fortune apparently, despite the drama.’ Will screwed up the empty sandwich packet and tossed it into the bin. ‘Good thing, too. They need some new equipment. Anyway, what are you two up to this weekend, seeing as you’re both off?’
Ally rummaged in the fridge for her cheese roll, wishing Will would be more subtle. ‘I’m going walking. Mum’s having Charlie for the weekend to help fill the freezer for Christmas, so I’m off.’ She rocked back on her heels, her expression fierce as her eyes challenged Sean’s. ‘And don’t you dare lecture me!’
‘Would I?’ His dry tone made her smile and she sat back down in her chair and nibbled her roll.
‘I promise to leave my intended route with Jack.’
Sean was looking at her thoughtfully. ‘I don’t suppose you want company?’
The roll suddenly jammed in her throat. ‘Company?’
He gave a lopsided grin. ‘Well, if I promise not to make one single chauvinistic comment, can I join you?’
The sudden rush of pleasure she felt astonished and horrified her. She should be keeping her distance, not seeking his company. The answer had to be no.
‘Yes.’ His eyes held hers for a long moment and she read the surprise and the question in them. He was wondering why she’d said yes. The trouble was, so was she. Why on earth had she said yes when she meant no? ‘But be warned—the first big-brother comment you make, I push you over the edge.’
Sean laughed and raised his hands in a gesture of submission, his eyes gleaming. ‘I love a dominant woman!’
Will glanced at them curiously and then suddenly concentrated very hard on his sandwich. ‘You’d better take him, Ally, otherwise he’ll be staring at the fells waiting for you to come down, calling Jack and the team every ten minutes.’
