Martin slides over the pints and I gesture to them. “Why don’t you take these two to the table? I’ll bring yours.”
She hesitates, then nods. Her hands tremble a little as she picks up the drinks, but she carries them steadily across the pub.
Phil sits bolt upright as Christina chats at him. He is absolutely ramrod stiff. The lad looks ready to pass out. I bite back a smile.
I bring the drinks to the table and find Christina has commandeered my usual seat, leaving the only spare spot right beside Emma.
I won’t complain. I’ve lost any interest in the rugby in any case.
Emma sits holding her lemonade in both hands like it’s a life raft.
“So,” I say gently, “how does Fellside compare to London so far?”
She lifts her gaze just enough to look up through her lashes. She probably doesn’t realise how sweet yet sexy that is.
“It’s great,” she murmurs. “I hated London.”
“Same,” I say. “I’ve only been a few times. But it’s too busy. Too loud. Too many people pretending their coffee order is a personality.”
A tiny smile appears. Blink-and-you’d-miss-it, but it’s there.
“Done much exploring yet?” I ask.
“No,” she says, then her voice warms a little. “But I went for a walk behind the mill last week and got lost. And I found this small waterfall in a side valley. Not the famous one — a hidden one. It was beautiful.”
She lights up as she speaks, her whole face shifting. It’s like seeing a glimpse of her without the shyness wrapped around her like armour.
I scroll through my phone, find a picture, and offer it to her. “This one?”
Her breath catches. “Yes! That’s it.”
She turns the phone so Christina can see. “This is the waterfall I told you about.”
Christina studies it with great interest. “Stunning. Alex, take her there. She wants to go back.”
Emma stiffens immediately. “No, no, it’s fine. If you tell me the name I can look it up.”
“I’d like to take you,” I say quietly.
She stares at me, puzzled. “Why?”
“Because I want to spend more time with you.”
Her brow furrows. “Why?”
I smile. “Because you’re interesting. And I’d like to get to know you.”
She freezes.
Then stands so abruptly her drink nearly spills. “Sorry. I… I need to go.”
And before any of us can react, she’s out of her chair and heading for the door.
For a second I just sit there, stunned. I didn’t say anything outrageous. I didn’t touch her. I kept it light. So why did that hit her like a fire alarm?
Part of me wants to run after her, check she’s all right. The other part knows that would only make things worse. She looked spooked enough already.
I drag a hand over my face.Brilliant. Well done, Harris. One minute she’s smiling at a waterfall photo and the next she’s bolting like you’ve proposed marriage.
