‘When I leave school, I want to study to become a doctor,’ said Benny. ‘Alice goes into schools and raises awareness about cancer screening. I want to help cancer patients. To be someone who saves lives, like she does.’
Jamie looked at the lad. ‘That’s a great job to have. I look forward to your graduation day.’
‘You’d come?’
‘I’d like to. Guess that’s up to you who you want there.’
Benny offered a warm smile. ‘If you’re still making Alice happy by then, you can come.’
‘In that case, it’s a date for my calendar.’
Benny gasped, shooting out of his chair. ‘Oh no, date. I forgot for a moment.’ He glanced at the fridge. ‘Do you think sandwiches are enough?’
Jamie tensed his brow as he gave a brief nod. ‘Add some crisps to the plates, and pour some juice. That’s a decent lunch.’
Benny checked his phone. ‘She’s got no allergies.’
‘Looks like you’ve got no worries.’
‘I said I’d take her out for a pizza tonight, so why am I so worried about this?’ Benny’s hand waggled towards the bread bin.
‘If it makes things easier for you, how about instead of sitting at the table, you take your food in front of the telly and watch a film or play a video game. Just something to help with the conversation. When you’re out and about, you have distractions, but the lunch you arranged will be quiet. Intimate. So, add some distractions around you.’
Benny glanced at the door. ‘I think Alice will be distraction enough. I so know she’s going to pop her head around the door every five minutes.’ He clutched his stomach. ‘I don’t even feel hungry.’
‘You leave your mum to me. I’ll take her to the café, that way you’ll have the place to yourself.’
‘Thanks. And I think I’ll put the telly on. I like that idea.’
Jamie gave him the thumbs up, then rinsed his coffee mug in the sink before leaving the ruffled boy to get on with making a fuss.
Alice was coming down the stairs. ‘Hey, what you up to today?’
Jamie placed his arms behind his back so he wouldn’t cuddle her into his arms. ‘I’m taking you to the café for lunch, then I’ve got my shift there.’
‘Oh, so your plan is to keep me away from Benny and Ellie.’
Jamie chuckled. ‘My plan is to cook dinner for you tonight. Benny’s out for pizza, so it’s just the two of us.’ He met her eyes and grinned. ‘You want to be my date?’
Alice chuckled. ‘Why not?’
‘Good.’ He wished so badly he could kiss her. ‘Right, I just need to pop out — I’ll see you at lunch.’
If anyone knew how to cook what he had in mind, Demi was the one, so he made his way to the pub to see if he could find her. He figured she might be helping in the kitchen.
Luckily enough, she was heading to the bar with a cloth.
‘Hello, Jamie. The cleaner’s off sick, so I said I’d muck in.’ She glanced over her shoulder. ‘I don’t normally leave the door open, but it needed some fresh air in here. Robson likes to keep it locked until we’re open.’ She checked the time on her phone. ‘Not long now.’
‘Oh, sorry. I wasn’t thinking about times. I just walked in.’
‘What’s on your mind?’
‘I want to make dinner for Alice tonight, and I need your help. I’m only a basic cook, so was hoping you might be able to give me some instructions.’
Demi tossed the cloth on the bar. ‘I’m all yours.’
Jamie smiled. Tonight was going to be special, and now he was starting to feel as nervous as Benny.
