Nine
Russell read the text again, and smiled, before slipping his phone into the pocket of the jacket slung over his other arm. Then he called out ‘Goodbye’ to Tabby and headed towards the double front doors.
It was a gloriously sunny morning and excitement bubbled inside him, like it had when he was a youngster going out on a day trip with his family. But this was no family day out. This was a day out with Hanna, and he still couldn’t quite believe it was happening.
After the debacle of his visit yesterday, he wasn’t sure what to do next, and then a thought had struck him as he had sat in the garden last evening, watching a stunningly beautiful sunset and listening to the crickets chirping in the grass, and the birds twittering in the branches of the trees. The sky reminded him of a painting of Hanna’s he had seen in the pub, and that, in turn, reminded him of another friend of his.
He immediately sent Hanna a text. A rather long text.
‘I know you’re busy, but if you fancy a change of scene tomorrow, I’m off to Hastings for the day. A friend of minefrom uni, has opened an art gallery in the Old Town and I keep promising I’ll pop in. She’s a massive fan of your artwork and she’d love to meet you. Plus, I could use the company on the drive. Ping me a text if you’re interested, but no problem if you’re not. Although I’d score a lot of bonus points as a friend if I turned up with you by my side, so you’d be doing me a favour, and you’d have a lovely day out. I’ll buy you lunch. And possibly, an ice cream.’
He’d signed off with his name. No emojis, no kisses, no endearments. He’d hoped the text was friendly and light-hearted.
He’d checked his phone every five minutes, but she hadn’t replied before he’d joined Grace, Griff, and Archie for dinner. Phones weren’t allowed at the table in the evening but he’d checked his again the moment he’d gone into the sitting room for coffee. Still no reply.
He’d given up hope by the time he went to bed.
But at five past eight this morning, as he’d stepped out of the shower, the ping of a text message made him dash to his phone, his wet feet almost making him slip on the tiled floor of his en suite.
And there it was. The text he’d been waiting for.
‘Sorry for the delay. I’d love to join you if the offer’s still there.’
He’d sent an immediate reply.
‘I’ll pick you up at nine-thirty. See you soon.’
He’d spent longer than usual deciding what to wear and had finally settled on casual dark grey trousers, a dark grey polo shirt and his light grey linen jacket. Black leather loafers completed his ensemble and he gave himself a quick once-over in the full-length mirror before racing off to breakfast. Tabby had often told him that dark grey brought out the blue of his eyes, and he’d laughed at himself as he trotted down the stairs. He hadnever been one to worry too much about his clothing, and yet, somehow, today it mattered to him.
Grace was having a breakfast meeting with her own family, so luckily she wasn’t at breakfast to ask him awkward questions, and for some reason he decided not to tell Griff or Archie, that Hanna would be joining him on his jaunt to Hastings.
‘You’re looking pleased with yourself,’ his father had noticed as Russell marched into the dining room. ‘Going somewhere special?’
‘No. Just to see an old friend.’ He’d slung his jacket over the chair beside him and spotted the grin on Griff’s mouth. ‘In Hastings,’ he’d added.
‘Emma?’ Griff raised his brows. ‘Today?’
‘Why not? I’ve been promising to pop in for a while, and it looks like the perfect day for a drive. I’m not needed here, am I?’
Griff shook his head. ‘No. Everything’s under control. The marquees won’t be arriving until tomorrow and we’ve got the usual team to set those up. Grace and her family have kindly given us a hand this year, and Tabby’s given Grace some pointers, so the catering should be better than ever at this year’s Summer Fayre. All we need now is good weather this weekend.’
No one mentioned the gossip, and Russell was glad of that. If Grace had been there, it might’ve been a different story.
‘Enjoy your day out,’ Archie said, glancing up from the newspaper he’d been reading, when Russell stood up to depart.
‘Yes,’ said Griff, grinning yet again, almost as if he knew exactly what Russell had planned. ‘I hope it is the perfect day … for your drive.’
‘Thanks. I hope you both have a good day too.’
After breakfast, and calling out Goodbye to Tabby, Russell hurried to his car, and seconds later, roared down the drive of Betancourt, then crossed into Oak Street and in less than one minute had pulled up outside Catkin Cottage.
He leapt out of his car, knocked on her door, and a moment later they were standing face to face. Well, almost face to face. He was a good six inches taller, and, unless he was mistaken, she was trying to avoid looking up into his eyes by bending her head.
He took the opportunity to admire her from head to toe. Her hair was loose but even he could see she must’ve spent time getting the ends to curl under so perfectly. Her make up was barely visible, but was there. Her eyes were emphasised by the mascara on her long lashes, and her lips gleamed a cherry red, which matched the polish on the nails of her fingers and toes. The fitted yellow dress, almost the same yellow as the T-shirt she’d worn yesterday, highlighted her curves, and the hemline being at least four inches above her knees made her tanned and shapely legs look even longer.
‘It’s a beautiful day,’ he said, his throat feeling slightly croaky, ‘and you look lovely. Erm. Unless you’d rather we didn’t, I thought we’d have the top down.’ He pointed towards his convertible. ‘I don’t want to spoil your hair though.’
Now she did smile up at him. ‘I’d love that. And don’t worry about my hair. I can tie it back.’ She searched in her handbag for a few seconds and pulled out a colourful, elasticated hairband. ‘Scrunchie!’
