I tried to imagine Kit doing any of those things and cringed at the thought. The back of a horse did not suit her.
“I have a simpler solution,” I offered, still trying to figure out exactly how to phrase this.
“What?”
I knew this was a stupid idea. A very dumb, stupid idea to propose to my very beautiful and completely unattainable temporary neighbour. I also couldn’t see another solution that didn’t risk life or limb.
“Stay with me.”
Almost as soon as the words left my mouth, my brain went into overdrive. Was the lodge even clean? When was the last time I vacuumed? Did I have enough food, or would we have to ration?
Her eyes narrowed. “With you?”
“At my place,” I said. “It has two bedrooms, plenty of firewood and food to see us through until the village shop opens again?—”
“The village shop is closed?” she interrupted.
“Yeah, it closed…” I checked my watch. “Twenty minutes ago.”
She swore under her breath. “All I have is wine and cheese.”
I smiled at the woman before me. What was it about her that made me want to offer help? She was practically a stranger, we’d had a total of three interactions, and more than half of them included her walking away from me. And yet, it was like I couldn’t leave her alone.
“Come stay with me,” I repeated, using all the cards in my arsenal. “It’s warm, I have a well-stocked fridge, and I’ll let you pick what movie we watch.”
Kit stood still as she pondered the offer, her gaze searching the boiler as if expecting it to burst into sudden life.
“How do I know this isn’t sabotage?” she asked.
“Sabotage?”
Kit pointed an accusatory finger towards me. “Maybe this is how you do it. You lure women to this hell hole.”
“You came here of your own volition?—”
“Buddy up to them on the car ride because there’s apparently‘no other way here’,” she added, rambling.
“There isn’t?—”
“You break in, vandalize their heating, and steal away their wood so they freeze to death.”
I sighed. I could pretty much say anything and she’d still believe I was some sort of psychopath. “That is a pretty solid plan…” I mumbled, almost to myself.
“And then lure them to your house for warmth and food,” she resolved. “And then…” Kit’s blue eyes held my gaze as sheran a finger along the neck of her sweater. “It’s straight out of a thriller.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I am not a serial killer, I promise.”
“Saideveryserial killer ever.”
“Well, it’s my place or freezing,” I said. “I’ll let you make that decision yourself.”
“Sounds like your plan is working out perfectly, tennis boy!” she cried. “Is that your serial-killer name? Or is it Mr Wimbledon? If I Google that, what secrets will I uncover?”
I grabbed my tool bag, almost sure that she’d be following me out. Instead, I heard her mutter, “Damn. No signal again.”
“Enjoy the cold, London!” I said, heading towards the front door. “If you freeze solid, I’ll defrost you with a hairdryer on Boxing Day.”
I heard her grumbling behind me, the soft thump of her foot kicking the wall in annoyance before she yelled out, “Wait!”
