‘I’m at work tomorrow,’ she said. ‘But the day after? It’s my Saturday off this week.’
‘Perfect,’ he told her.
And maybe then he’d have two new friends instead of one. Because that’s all he wanted, wasn’t it? He didn’t need any more complications in his life. Just friends would be absolutely perfect.
16
Saturday 14 February – Project Alison Day 14: Messaged Jenna last night because I couldn’t stand it any longer. Told her that I’m settling in and that she really ought to visit soon. Her gran and grandad would love to see her. No reply. Not going to message her again. Today I’m going to Watersmeet. Taking Rosie with me. That should ensure there are no awkward silences. Oh, I hope it isn’t too awful! Tea with Mac was fine but after all, I hardly know him and going to his house seems a bit much. Can’t believe I said yes! Then again it will be great to see inside Watersmeet at last. And there are the animals after all.
‘Ooh, I can’t wait for this,’ Rosie said, as they approached the five-barred gate which marked the entrance to Watersmeet. ‘Thanks ever so much for making him invite me, too. But, er, do you think I’ll be playing gooseberry? I mean, you do realise that today is Valentine’s Day?’
Alison had completely forgotten. ‘That doesn’t mean anything! I think he just wanted a bit of company, that’s all. Maybe he’s a bit lonely here. Must be a big change for him after running a business in Oxfordshire and having his family around him. I’ll bet he forgot it was Valentine’s Day, too.’
‘Hmm. Maybe. Fancy him being divorced.’ Rosie gave her a knowing look. ‘Good to know, right?’
‘Don’t go getting any ideas. I’ve told you, we’re just old schoolfriends. You’d better not drop any hints either.’
‘Hints? Me?’ Rosie’s eyes widened in innocence. ‘Would I?’
‘Yes, you would. And your hints are as subtle as a brick.’ Alison tutted. ‘Don’t make me regret bringing you.’
‘I’ll be good. Brownie’s honour.’
‘You got chucked out of the Brownies,’ Alison reminded her, and Rosie winked.
‘Maybe you’d better not mention that, with him being a Cub and a Boy Scout,’ she said with a grin. ‘He might ban me.’
‘Don’t be daft, Rosie,’ Alison said as she opened the gate. ‘And don’t mention the whole Cub and Scout thing, please. I told you he got bullied at school. I don’t want him to feel he’s being bullied all over again.’
‘As if I would! And you really didn’t know about it? The bullying, I mean.’
‘Not a clue.’ Alison still felt awful about it. ‘If I had, I’d have done something. Said something. You know I would. I never could stand bullying. Poor Mac.’
‘You soon got used to calling him that,’ Rosie observed as they headed up the drive towards the large, red-brick house. ‘You haven’t called him Ian once since you got back from the pub.’
‘It’s funny,’ Alison admitted, ‘but he suits Mac far more than he ever suited Ian.’
‘Blimey,’ Rosie said as they passed a rather ancient mud-spattered estate car on the drive, ‘that’s seen better days.’
‘Haven’t we all? You’d better be on your best behaviour, Rosie. I mean it.’
Something about Rosie’s expression made her throw up her hands and exclaim, ‘What?’ But whatever her cousin had been about to say had to wait because at that moment the front door opened and there was Mac, and by his side a Jack Russell who took one look at them and began to yap, loudly and persistently.
‘Shut up, Carne,’ Mac said, more as if it was out of habit than because he actually thought the dog would obey.
Carne ran out of the house and circled Alison and Rosie, stopping to sniff their ankles occasionally and letting out intermittent yaps for no good reason that they could see.
Eventually he wagged his tail and ran back in the house, turning to face them, as if inviting them in.
‘I think you passed the test,’ Mac said, rolling his eyes. ‘Come in. You must be Rosie.’
Rosie held out her hand politely. ‘That’s right. Pleased to meet you, Mac. Thanks so much for inviting me.’
Clearly surprised at her formality, Mac shook her hand. ‘No problem at all. Nice to meet you, too. Hello again, Alison.’
Alison nodded and smiled at him and stepped into the hallway behind Rosie. They glanced around, suitably impressed by the interior, which was clean and spacious and surprisingly light.
‘Right,’ Mac said, sounding a little awkward. ‘First things first. I haven’t been away from Yorkshire long enough to forget that the most important thing in any visit is to offer a brew. I’ll put the kettle on. Come through.’
