‘Oh, yes of course. Let’s find a table, shall we?’
‘I recognise her from somewhere,’ Bridie heard the sulky teenage boy say as they took a seat at another table.
Oliver had heard him too. ‘I wonder if he’s seen you in a show in London.’
Bridie gave them a sideways glance. She had no idea of their financial situation; perhaps they had the money to buy tickets for a show in London, and to pay the travel costs to get there. She wouldn’t want to make assumptions that she couldn’t affordit just because she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring and might be a single parent.
She really hoped they had seen her in a show – as long as it wasn’t her last show. She hoped it wasn’t the other possibility that was making the colour rise in her cheeks – that the teenage son had seen her on social media.
‘How rude of me! I should have introduced you.’ Oliver went to get up.
Bridie reached across the table and grabbed his hand. ‘No, it’s fine, honestly. I’d really much prefer to keep a low profile if you don’t mind.’
Oliver sat back down. ‘That’s a shame. I was going to invite you to one of our drama classes. The children would love to meet a real stage actress. You’re such a role model.’
‘Role model – me?’ She shook her head.
‘Oh, yes. Don’t be so modest, Bridie.’
Bridie stared across the table at Oliver and shook her head. She caught the teenager staring at her across the room. She thought,I have to tell Oliver.
She opened her mouth to do just that, when he said. ‘I know.’
‘Pardon?’
‘I know it’s going to take time to get over what happened.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Your fiancé cheating on you. I understand. The last thing you need right now is a room full of lively teenagers bombarding you with questions.’
All with mobile phones,thought Bridie. It would only take one of them to find her on social media and the game would be up – they’d all know.
Bridie reached over and put her hand on his arm. ‘Yeah, I really can’t face that right now.’
‘I shouldn’t have even suggested it.’
Bridie could just imagine the teenager across the café on his phone, showing his mum the embarrassing episode. She daredto look his way only to discover he wasn’t on his phone. He was drinking a hot chocolate and bickering with his younger brother. She breathed a sigh of relief, but even so, she wanted to go. She hadn’t finished her coffee, but she gathered her handbag and remembered the carrier bag full of the pup’s treats and toys.
‘You’re leaving?’
‘I thought I’d pop into Cobblers Yard like you suggested. I’m looking for a present for Dad’s retirement.’
Oliver had half risen from his chair. He looked at Bridie.
Bridie said, ‘It’s all right. Stay and finish your coffee. Besides, you won’t want to drag around the shops with me.’
‘But I would, honestly.’
The woman was back as soon as she saw Bridie rise from the table. ‘Mr Williams, would have a spare moment? It’s about Jamie’s music lessons.’
‘Oh, er …’
Bridie looked at the young woman. Even though she knew her game, she seemed nice enough, and she was pretty. The last thing Bridie wanted was for her to get the wrong idea. ‘It’s fine – I was just leaving.’ Bridie even offered the woman her seat, pulling it out for her.
‘Oh, thanks,’ she said, sounding surprised.
‘No problem.’
As Bridie headed down the stairs, she heard a chair scrape, and Oliver say, ‘Can you give me a moment?’
The next thing was Oliver’s voice behind her as she stepped outside the shop. ‘When will I see you again?’
