22
I turned the music up a notch to try and drown out the depressing sound of rain hammering against the shop window. ‘My first quiet day,’ I said to Mum. ‘I don’t like it.’
She put down the vase that she was dusting. ‘You’re not worried, are you?’
I shrugged.
‘Don’t be, sweetheart. Shops always have a mix of quiet days and busy days, but I think we can definitely put today’s lack of customers down to the weather. Would you go shopping in this?’
‘No chance.’
I glanced at the clock. Two hours and forty minutes to go until Bob’s rescheduled leaving do when I’d meet the guys from Bay Trade. And see Nick again. Butterflies!Stop doing that. He’s not Steven.
‘That’s the dusting done,’ Mum said. ‘I’ll just give the kitchen and toilet a clean. Shout if you need me.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’
With no customers and no orders to create, I checked the dating site but there were no new messages, so I clicked onto Facebook. Nick had updated his status.
Nick DerbyshireLooking forward to a night on the beers with the Bay Trade guys and the lovelySarah Peterson
4hrs
Skye HarrisThe LOVELY Sarah Peterson? Is there something you want to share with us Mr Derbyshire? Are you finally off the list of Britain’s Most Eligible Bachelors?!
Nick DerbyshireI wish. See you tonight
My heart thumped faster.‘I wish…’ ‘I wish…’ What did that mean? What did he wish? Did he wish he were with someone as in anyone? Or did he wish he were with me? It could be taken both ways. Seriously people, make your messages clearer.
I read the message over and over again, butterflies going mad in my stomach. What was happening to me? Every time I heard his name or thought about him, I fell to pieces. I couldn’t have fallen for him. It was wrong. He was wrong.Argh! He is not called Steven!
I wiped my sweaty palms down my coat and tried to ignore the gymnastics routine in my stomach as I thanked the doorman who held the door of The Old Theatre open for me at about quarter past seven. Nick had texted me just as I left the shop to say they’d probably be towards the back on the first floor and to remind me they were meeting at seven. Despite my preference to be punctual, I’d been too nervous to risk being first.
I took a deep breath and headed for the stairs. Hesitating at the stair head, I could see what I figured had to be the Bay Trade crowd, given the mix of ages, but no Nick. My phone beeped and I fished it out of my bag.
?? From Nick
Running a bit late. So sorry. See you really soon xx
Damn! I’d have to approach someone. Scary. I stared at the group, trying to decide who looked the most approachable. A tall,slim woman with long blonde wavy hair caught my eye and headed towards me. ‘Are you Sarah?’ she asked.
I nodded.
‘I thought so. You look just as lovely as Nick described. I’m Skye.’
‘Hi.’ Eek! Nick’s best friend.
‘I’m so pleased you’ve come tonight,’ she said. ‘I know Bay Trade doesn’t sound like the most exciting of concepts but I promise you it’s great fun and fantastic for business too.’ She beamed at me and ushered me towards the bar. ‘Nick’s running a bit late I’m afraid. Domestic crisis. He asked me to look out for you. Can I get you a drink?’
‘It’s all right, I’ll get it.’ I reached for my purse, not wanting to impose.
‘Nonsense. Put it away.’ Skye laughed gently. ‘You can get me one later if it makes you feel better. Now, what would you like?’
‘Dry white wine please.’
I studied Skye while she placed the order. I instantly felt comfortable in her presence, possibly because she reminded me of Elise. She wore the same sort of clothes – long floaty cream dress, bolero-style turquoise cardigan, some chunky silver and turquoise beads and a turquoise flower in her hair – and was the same tall, slim build.
‘What sort of domestic crisis?’ I asked tentatively while we waited for the drinks. I suddenly had a vision of a wife and children at home that he’d conveniently forgotten to mention.
