‘It’s becoming second nature to me,’ Alison said, surprised. ‘I’m feeling a lot better, especially since I’ve started eating proper meals again. The SlimKwik wasn’t great, but with the recipes from Mac’s cookbook and all your support and help it’s getting easier to keep going. I can’t thank you enough for inviting me here and looking out for me, Rosie.’
‘Don’t be daft. It’s a pleasure.’ She smiled a thank you as the waitress placed a pot of tea and two cups and saucers on their table, along with milk and sugar. She stirred one spoonful of sugar into her tea and said, ‘Did you notice? I’ve cut down from two sugars. I’m going to cut it out completely eventually. Taking a leaf from your book.’
‘That’s great. I thought black tea and coffee with no sugar would be vile, and to be honest, at first they were. But now I prefer them that way. It’s just a habit really, isn’t it?’
They sipped tea and admired the decor in the cafe, which was fairly plain but pretty, and spotlessly clean.
‘Heard you outside the caravan last night,’ Rosie said suddenly. ‘I wasn’t eavesdropping deliberately, honest! But you know how thin those caravan walls are…’
Alison blushed and Rosie gave an exasperated squeal and punched her lightly on the arm. ‘Oh, come on, Ali! I’ve been so patient, and I’ve been dying to ask you, but itsoundedlike Mac kissed you last night. Am I wrong?’
Alison’s face burned even more, and she was sure she must look scarlet by now. ‘Shh!’ She glanced around but no one was taking any notice. Why would they? It was only to her that it was a huge deal. And to Rosie, obviously. ‘If you say one word about this to anyone, I’ll leave Kelsea Sands and never come back.’
‘Bit dramatic,’ Rosie said. ‘Anyway, as if! Leave the handsome Ian MacMillan behind? I don’t think so. So youdidkiss then?’
‘It was nothing,’ Alison insisted. ‘Really. Just a peck on the cheek.’
‘Oh.’ Rosie looked bitterly disappointed. ‘Well,’ she said thoughtfully, ‘it’s a start.’
‘Give it up, Rosie,’ Alison advised. ‘We’re just friends.’
‘Are you kidding me? He bought a cookbook for you. He’s had you round at his house God knows how many evenings and afternoons now, cooking and eating at his place?—’
‘Only when you’ve been at work,’ Alison said quickly. ‘And the times you weren’t he invited you, too.’
‘I’m not complaining about that,’ Rosie said impatiently. ‘I’m just pointing out that he’s gone to an awful lot of trouble for you.’
‘He’s a kind person,’ Alison said. ‘He wants to help me. Besides, it’s helping him, too. He was sick of beans on toast. This way we both improve our cooking skills, and we get to eat healthily.’
‘And is that all you’re doing at Watersmeet?’ Rosie asked curiously. ‘Really?’
‘No. I’ve helped him with the animals a few times. I’ve got quite fond of them actually. And we’ve discussed the garden – what he might like to do with it. That kind of thing.’
‘Riveting,’ Rosie said, clearly disappointed. ‘Have you thought about trying to move things on?’
‘Rosie, I told you already, I’ve had a happy marriage. I’m not looking for anything else but friendship.’
‘Well, I think you deserve better. Drew would understand. You know he would. It’s been nine years, Ali! It’s not like you’ve rushed into anything, is it?’
‘I think we’re both cautious,’ Alison mused. ‘And remember, he’s been badly hurt by his ex-wife and his best friend. How awful is that? I can’t imagine anything worse than being let down so badly by the two people you should be able to trust more than anyone in the world.’
‘Yes, that is horrible,’ Rosie agreed, pouring the last of the tea from the pot after checking Alison didn’t want it. ‘How long were they having an affair before Mac found out?’
‘I have no idea. He hasn’t volunteered any more information than I already told you, and I can’t exactly ask him. It would be insensitive to push it. But you can see why he’d be hesitant about starting a relationship with anyone, can’t you?’
‘But are you happy with that?’ Rosie persisted. ‘Really? You’re okay just being friends? He might be sixty-two, which obviously isancientto me, but even I think he’s a good-looking man, and quite the catch. Are you sure you don’t want to?—’
‘We’re fine as friends,’ Alison said firmly. ‘And less of the “ancient”, if you don’t mind.’
Rosie sighed. ‘All right then. Fair dos. Mind you, when he sees your new hairdo, he might have a change of heart. Fingers crossed, eh?’
Project Alison – Day 51 cont.: Had another lovely evening at Watersmeet and then Mac walked me home again…
He kissed me! It was so lovely and so sweet. I had a funny feeling he was going to do it because we’ve been getting closer and closer and we kept giving each other these looks all evening. My stomach was spinning round like the washing machine!
And then when we got to the caravan and he said goodnight I thought, well, maybe I’d got it all wrong. But then he suddenly reached out and stroked my cheek, and kind of waited for me to see if it was okay, and when I smiled and did the same to him, he just pulled me closer – ever so gently – and kissed me, really lightly on the lips. And I put my arms around him and then he, well, he kissed me a bit less lightly, and before I knew it, we were properly kissing!
I haven’t had a kiss like that in years. And then he said, ‘Is this all right?’ And I said, ‘More than all right.’ And he smiled at me, and we kissed again, and then he said goodnight and I went into the caravan and it was a really good job Rosie had gone to bed because she’d have been able to tell straight away. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face!
