‘Isn’t that a chocolate covered honeycomb bar?’ he quipped.
‘Now you’ve made me want a Crunchie.’ She carefully smoothed her hair into a loose knot. ‘Better yet. A Crunchie ice cream.’
‘At this time in the morning?’
‘Any time is perfect for ice cream.’ She stepped out and closed her front door. ‘Is this a new car?’
He nodded. ‘Yes. The last time I had a soft top was in my late teens. A friend who owns a dealership persuaded me it was time I had another. I may have had a couple of glasses of whisky when we had that conversation.’
She grinned at him as he held the passenger door open for her. ‘The last time I was in a convertible, it chucked it down, and the top got stuck open. We were drenched by the time we got home.’
‘And you’re willing to give it another go?’ He laughed as she nodded, and he closed the door. Then, once in the driver’s seat, he pressed the button to make the roof close and reopen again. ‘Seems to be working so far. But I do have an umbrella in the boot if things go wrong.’
‘Good to know,’ she said, as he pressed the start button.
He drove back the way he’d come, turning right out of Oak Street and onto Folkestone Road.
‘It should take us about an hour,’ he said. ‘I thought we’d avoid the motorway and take the scenic route. Would you like to listen to some music?’
‘No. Unless you want to.’
‘Nope. I’m happy to chat. Or to just enjoy the scenery.’
‘Same here,’ she replied, and they travelled in silence for a few minutes as he made his way through the outskirts of Folkestone and onto the road towards Hastings. ‘So … this friend of yours is from your days at uni?’
‘Yes. We’ve kept in touch but we don’t see one another often. I see her twin brother more frequently. He lives in London, so we have lunch from time to time. Or we’ll meet for a game of squash.’
‘I didn’t know you played squash.’
‘I expect there’re a few things you don’t know about me. What about you? Do you play any sports?’
‘Tennis. But not often. I played netball at school. I’ve never played squash.’
‘I’m happy to give you a lesson if you want to try it. Folkestone has some good squash courts.’
‘I’d like that. Thanks. It’s always good to try new things. Do you play tennis?’
‘I do. Perhaps we could have a game of that as well.’
‘Yes. That might be fun. So what else don’t I know about you?’
He shot her a glance, and grinned. ‘That’s difficult to say because unless I know what you do know about me it’s difficult to know what you don’t.’
‘True. I know you’re a perfect gentleman. I know what you do, who all the members of your family are, and where you live. I know you have long term friendships, as we’re going to see a friend you’ve known for years, and I also know you’re still friends with all the people who were kids in the village at the same time as you. I know you keep your promises, because you said in your text that you promised you’d pop in to see this friend’s art gallery. Oh! I know you like art. Because you’ve bought several of my paintings. I also know you’re a good dancer. I remember that from The Mistletoe Dance. And I know you’re loyal and … Erm.’
‘Yes?’ he asked as her voice trailed off.
She shook her head and lowered her gaze. ‘Nothing. That’s … that’s all I can think of, for now.’
‘Were you going to say that you knew I had been in love with someone who didn’t love me in return? Because it’s okay, if you were. I did love Hope, I’ll admit that. But I’m completely over her now.’
Hanna’s head shot up. ‘Completely?’
‘Yes, Hanna. Completely. I still like her, obviously, and I think we’ll always be friends. We’ve been friends since we were kids, as you said. But I can honestly say I don’t love her anymore.’
‘That’s good. Erm. For you, I mean.’
‘Yes. It is. So what about you? Is there someone you’ve got your eye on?’
‘Me! No! Why do you ask?’
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.’
‘I’m not upset. I’m…’ She stared at him. ‘Wait a minute. Is that … is that what this day trip is about? Have you heard something, Russell? Something concerning me? Something Barbra Brimble might have said?’
He shot her a sideways glance. Their conversation had flowed so freely and easily and he hadn’t even thought about what he was saying.
‘That wasn’t why I asked. It really wasn’t. But I won’t lie to you, Hanna. Yes. I have heard some gossip. But I don’t take any notice of things people say, and I don’t judge people because I have no right to do so. I will say this though. I know how it feels to have everyone in the village talking about you behind your back. And whether or not there’s any truth in what they say, it’s hurtful. I’m a friend, Hanna. And I’d really like you to think of me as someone you can talk to, about anything. Anything at all. I’m here for you, if you need me. And I’m here for you if you don’t. Let’s leave it at that for now, and change the subject, shall we? I don’t want to spoil this day.’
Hanna didn’t say a word but she nodded very slowly, and then she looked in the other direction and watched the scenery whizz by.
