Despite her best attempts Bella still couldn’t help wonder about Ben and Mabel and was intrigued to see a message from Ben when she switched her phone on after work. She was meeting Ash for a bite of dinner at the pizza place and Ben still hadn’t confirmed whether he could come or not.
I am so sorry, Bella. I am having to work. Nobody could swap. Tell Ash to come and see me before he leaves! It was so good to see you yesterday. Thanks for telling me. I could do with some advice. Let me know when you’re free? XX
She didn’t reply. Bella was no longer in the mood to speak to Ben. Nor did she have time if she was to meet Ash in half an hour and still had to shower. She knew she was being a bit pathetic but the photos with Mabel had obviously a raw nerve.
* * *
‘Is everything okay?’ asked Ash when Bella arrived at the pizza place.
‘Yes, fine,’ she said, trying to sound breezy. She slid into the booth opposite.
‘Are you sure?’ he said gently.
Bella smiled tightly and ordered a beer from the waiter who had just arrived at the table.
‘How is work going?’
‘Really good,’ said Bella. ‘I’m learning lots and it’s always busy. It makes a nice change from my old work.’
‘Well, cheers,’ said Ash, raising his bottle against Bella’s beer which had just been placed in front of her.
‘Cheers.’
‘How about you? How has your day been?’ she said, trying desperately to pull herself out of the funk she was in.
‘Well, that guesthouse is just heavenly. I can see why it’s so popular. The bed is so comfy it means I don’t want to get up. Kirsty makes a mean Scottish breakfast. And there are wee boxes of shortbread in the room.’ He leaned over to rummage in the pocket of his jacket which lay next to him on the seat. ‘Here you are. I persuaded her to give me a box to give you.’
Bella smiled. ‘Thanks, Ash, sorry, Dad . . .’ she said awkwardly as he handed it to her.
‘Bella, love, call me whatever you want. If Dad feels weird then Ashley or Ash is fine. Just be comfortable. This is going to take us both some getting used to.’
‘Okay,’ she said with a shrug. She had to admit she was finding the whole name thing and the etiquette of what to call him a bit of a struggle.
‘Right, let’s order food and then you can tell me what is really on your mind,’ he said assertively. ‘I’m going to have the Margherita pizza. How about you?’
‘Pepperoni, please,’ said Bella, feeling her stomach rumble and realising she hadn’t eaten since the chai seeds at breakfast earlier.
After drinking her bottle of beer and hungrily tucking into the pizza, Bella relaxed.
‘Did you ask Ben?’
‘He couldn’t make it. He’s working but he said you must come by the distillery to see him before you leave.’ She frowned.
Ash leaned forward. ‘What’s on your mind?’
She sighed. ‘I don’t know. It’s just that I thought Ben and I had a connection and now I’m wondering if I’ve misread it completely. I met him yesterday and told him that you’re my dad. He was really lovely about it and . . . I thought there was something between us.’
‘What changed then?’
She told him about the pictures she’d seen on social media then swore him to secrecy. ‘Don’t you say a word to Mum or Rosie about it. Can you imagine?’ She rolled her eyes in horror.
‘Don’t you worry. It will be our secret. Anyway,’ he said with a naughty laugh, ‘I think Rosie is otherwise engaged at the moment. Who would have thought? But having Luke back in her life is clearly agreeing with her.’
Bella nodded. ‘Do you remember much of him at the time?’
He shook his head. ‘No, she was quite mysterious about who she was off to meet. I do remember that. But we were all so young and self-absorbed with our own stuff going on. I’m just pleased she’s happy and hope she’s having some wild sex with the man. Let’s face it, Dermot was always a bit dour.’
Bella couldn’t help but chuckle.
