‘Yes it was rude, but I forgive you. Bread?’ He lifted the basket towards her.
‘Thank you.’ She took a chunk and began buttering it, noticing he was watching her, a smile playing on his lips.
‘What’s so funny?’ she asked, lowering her knife.
‘I’ll let you into a secret, shall I? Nessa helped me with the salad.’
‘Ah, I see.’
‘But the moussaka is all my own work.’
‘Great, I love an honest cook,’ she said, taking a forkful into her mouth and chewing daintily. ‘A good cook too, this is delicious.’
‘Thank you.’ He accepted her compliment gracefully.
Moments later she saw his smile melt away as he got to his feet. ‘Is something the matter?’ she frowned, watching him drop his serviette onto the table.
‘Wine,’ he said. ‘I forgot the wine.’ And disappeared out of the door.
The meal was a great success. Nessa had again come to the rescue with a tub of ice cream and some fancy wafers for their sweet. Cat sat back, feeling full and slightly mellow from the Merlot he’d rescued from the kitchen.
‘Coffee?’ he asked, reaching for her plate. ‘I’m afraid it’s only instant.’
‘Instant’s fine,’ she replied, watching him stack the two dishes and leave the dining room. ‘Do you need a hand?’
‘No, I’m fine, won’t be long.’
‘So do you often cook like this?’ she asked as the coffee arrived, wondering whether he’d entertained girlfriends here like this.
‘No, I usually get my meals at Nessa’s or The Smugglers,’ he said as he spooned sugar into his cup and stirred. ‘When I get home from work the last thing I want to be doing is think about preparing a meal. I’m quite happy for someone else to do it for me.’
‘No, I meant girlfriends? Do you cook for girlfriends?’
‘Girlfriends?’ He seemed to find the word amusing. ‘I’m not someone who has long-term relationships. Sorry that came out badly, I’m definitely not like my cousin. What I mean is I’ve not been very lucky with women in the past. I’ve grown used to being on my own. I’ve a few good friends and I’m happy with that.’
‘Don’t you miss female company?’
‘Not usually but I have to say I’ve really enjoyed this evening, being here with you.’
‘Me too.’
‘So how do you normally spend your Saturday evenings … when you’re not looking after inebriated females and sick-splattered men?’
Cat laughed as she considered his question. ‘Well, usually I’m out with my best friend Jodie Penwarne. Or I might spend the evening in Ship2Shore. Or I might stay in by myself with a weepie movie and a bottle of wine.’
‘Not so different from me then.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘I sometimes see Callum, or drop into The Smugglers … and I do have occasional movie nights. No weepies though.’
‘Well, seems we have some things in common.’
‘Yeah so we do.’ He looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Do you feel like doing something different?’
‘Like what?’
‘Meeting me for a drink at The Smugglers? Taking a walk along the beach? It doesn’t have to be a Saturday. A weekday would be fine.’
