It was obviously because she might soon be getting her rescue dog.
What else could it possibly be?
Eight
Kate assumed the text that arrived on her phone while she and Granny Viv were in the mini cab on their way back to the village for lunch at The White Lion pub, was from either Beth or Rose. When she saw it was from Raff, she nearly shrieked with delight.
Granny Viv gave her a curious look, probably wondering why Kate was trying to hide the screen from her view.
‘Is that a text from Beth or Rose?’ Granny Viv asked.
‘No. It’s from … someone I know. It’s not important. It can wait.’
Yeah right. It could wait until they arrived at the pub and then Kate would dash to the loo and read it right away.
‘If you don’t want me to see it, just say so and I’ll look the other way.’
‘Okay. I don’t want you to see it because it might contain something private.’
‘Ooh! Like what?’ Instead of turning away, Granny Viv shifted closer.
Kate should’ve known that wouldn’t work. She couldn’t move away because Rufus was seating on her other side. She shovedher phone back into her handbag and wrapped her arms around the bag.
‘Spoil sport,’ said Granny Viv.
‘Nosy parker,’ Kate replied.
Rufus yawned and rested his head on Kate’s shoulder. He wassooosweet. Would her rescue dog be like him?
Granny Viv had an account with Bluewater Cars, the cab firm, so they got out as soon as the driver pulled up right outside the pub door. Kate held out her arm and Granny Viv linked her arm through Kate’s, while in her other hand she held her walking stick. Rufus trotted beside them.
They slowly made their way to the dining area in the pub and sat at Granny Viv’s favourite table by the window, where Rufus could tuck himself under the table and keep out of the way of people’s feet.
The pub was Olde Worlde both inside and out but the dining area had modern, high back, padded chairs and the modern wooden tables were covered with white linen tablecloths.
Today, being Valentine’s Day, the area was filled with heart shaped balloons, and strings of heart shaped lights, and each table had a vase containing a single red rose, albeit made of plastic. Well, it is the thought that counts.
Once Granny Viv and Rufus were settled, and they had ordered a bottle of wine – the reason they had come by cab and Kate hadn’t driven, Kate had said she needed the loo.
‘You mean you’re going to read that text,’ said Granny Viv.
‘Yes,’ said Kate. ‘I’ll have my usual if they come to take our orders before I get back.’
The pub’s menu wasn’t extensive and the favourite meal of several of the regulars, was a pie and a pint, but as neither Kate nor Granny Viv drank beer … or ate many pies, their usual meal when they came here was Fish and Chips with mushy peas, and Sticky Toffee Pudding and custard for dessert.
Kate dashed to the loo and opened the text.
‘I had fun today,’ it read. ‘If this is too soon, please say so, but I’d like to have coffee with you again. Or lunch. Or dinner. We can chat more about your rescue dog. The welcome sign at the entrance to the village made me laugh when I first saw it, but now I think it might be true. Raff.’
He hadn’t typed the wording of the welcome sign but Kate knew it by heart.
It said: ‘Please drive carefully. You are about to enter Bluewater Bay, where strangers become friends and friends feel like family. We hope you enjoy your stay.’
Was he saying that they were strangers who were now friends? Or was he suggesting that they might also be friends who feel like family? Meaning, something much closer than friends.
Kate quivered as delightful sensations ran up and down her body.
What was happening to her?
