“Come on now,” Glynis yanked James’ arm and pulled him in front of her, out the door. “You have a key if you’re back late.”
The door closed behind James, and then we were out together in the cold. “Hello,” I said, then realised I’d already said it.
“Hello again,” James smiled. I couldn’t help but smile back. “Shall we go?”
“Um, sure.” I offered him my arm. He threw my coat on over his shoulders then took my arm.
“Where are you taking me?” he asked.
“Only the local pub…if that’s OK with you? I don’t want to presume, we can always go wherever you want to-”
“The pub is fine,” James interrupted. He seemed quite calm and collected. I had no idea how he did it. I felt like more anxious than I had in years. What if I messed up? What if he didn’t actually like me, and this whole thing was out of pity? Or just a thanks for the lift from the station?
“You’re thinking hard, aren’t you?” James said. I couldn’t think of what to say, so I just nodded. “Well don’t. Let’s just go out for a nice evening. No weirdness, no awkward silences, no stress. Just enjoying each other’s company.”
“I can do that,” I said, perhaps more to myself than to James. We had walked down to the corner of High Street and I crossed us over from the pavement that ran along the shops to the one that ran down the river. It was already dark and the river glistened in the moonlight. The pub wasn’t too far a walk, and I could see it in the distance, a squat thatched cottage on the river. I hoped that James didn’t think it was too quaint, and found myself wishing that I’d taken Tudor up on his offer of a more gourmet meal up at the hotel.
“Not that I don’t find the strong and silent type incredibly attractive, but I really feel one of us should start talking,” said James. As we passed the craft shop, I saw him turn his head to take a look.
“Do you want to go in there?” I asked.
“Oh…um, no. It’s fine.”
“Seriously, Geraint is still in, it doesn’t matter that they’re officially closed.”
“No. Honestly, I’d only get an urge to spend money I don’t have.” James looked a bit dejected, and I wanted to solve that.
“Well I can buy you some stuff if you like,” I said.
“No. I’m fine. Thank you though.” I sensed James was done with the topic, so I stayed quiet as we approached the pub.
The pub was an old thatched cottage not unlike the one I lived in, but two storeys and much bigger. The outside wallswere a knobbly, rough white and the windows were like little recesses into it.
James reached out and touched it with one hand. “Like stepping back in time,” he said quietly.
“Come and look inside then,” I replied whilst pushing open the door with one hand.
The inside of the pub was even more rustic. James had no trouble walking through the little doorway but I had to duck, as well as below a couple of the bigger support beams that ran along the roof. All the walls were stone, and there was a roaring fireplace on one side. Even on a weekday, its was full of the buzz of regulars. I ushered James towards an empty table by the fireplace.
“I’ll go and get us some drinks,” I said. “What do you want?”
“Just a lemonade please,” James gave me a tight smile. I put my jacket over the chair and walked over to the bar.
“A pint of Brains and a lemonade please, Ffion.” I put a five pound note down on the bar. Ffion, an old school friend of mine, started the drinks straight away.
“How you keeping then, love? Who’s that?” she asked. She nodded over at where James was sat. When I looked over at him, he quickly ducked his head and looked away.
“That is…no one.” I said. “I’ll tell you all about it next week, promise.” Next week when he’d be home and I’d be sat in here alone.
“As long as it is a promise,” said Ffion. She gave me the drinks and pushed the five pound note back over the bar. “First lot on the house for a handsome face,” she said.
“Oh, thank you.” I said. She’d never done that before.
“Not you, him. Idiot.” She went back to wiping over the bar and I took the fiver and drinks, feeling a bit stupid.
“Barmaid thinks you’re pretty,” I said to James. I put the drinks down in front of him. “So if you start going up to the bar we might get our drinks for free.”
He laughed, and it felt good to be the one who’d made him happy. I sat down and took a big gulp of my pint. “Ah, that’s good.” I said. James hadn’t touched his lemonade yet.
