As if reading her thoughts, Matt straightened up. ‘Tell you what, why don't I stick around for the next few calls? I can guide you through them until you feel more comfortable.’
Relief washed over Georgina. ‘Are you sure? I don't want to keep you from your work. I’m supposed to be repaying you forthe work you’re going to do on my car, but I’m more of a burden cluttering up the office at the moment.’
Matt waved off her concern. ‘Don’t be silly. The cars can wait. Right now, making sure you're comfortable and ready to fulfil your end of the bargain is my priority.’
The warmth in his eyes as he said this made Georgina's breath catch in her throat. She wondered if he realised the effect he had on her, how every kind word and gesture only deepened her growing attraction to him.
‘Thank you, Matt,’ she said softly. ‘I really appreciate it.’
He flashed her another smile that made her knees weak. ‘Anytime. Now, let's go over that appointment book again, shall we?’
As Matt pulled up a chair next to her, their shoulders almost touched and Georgina couldn't help but feel that despite her initial stumble, things were looking up. The nervousness she'd felt earlier transformed into a different kind of tension—one filled with anticipation and possibility.
With Matt by her side, guiding her through the intricacies of the garage's scheduling system, Georgina found herself relaxing. His patient explanations and occasional jokes helped put her at ease, and soon she was laughing and responding with quips of her own. So when he finally returned to the garage, Georgina was sad.
As the morning wore on, Georgina handled several more calls, each one with increasing confidence. Matt's presence on the other side of the glass wall was a constant comfort, his encouraging nods and thumbs-up gestures bolstering her spirits. By lunchtime, she felt like a different person from the nervous wreck who had answered that first call.
‘You're a natural.’ Matt was leaning against the doorframe listening to her as she hung up after successfully booking in a complex repair job. ‘I think you've got this nailed now.’
Georgina beamed at him, a warm glow of pride spreading through her chest. ‘I couldn't have done it without you,’ she said, meaning every word.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken energy. Georgina found herself leaning in slightly, drawn by some invisible force.
The spell was broken by the loud growl of Matt's stomach. He laughed, patting his belly. ‘I guess that's my cue to grab some lunch. How about you? Fancy a sandwich from Tammy’s Tearoom? I’ll nip out and get them.’
Georgina nodded, suddenly realising how hungry she was. ‘That sounds perfect. Cheese salad for me please.’ She reached for her handbag to get her purse.
Matt shook his head. ‘It’s on me.’
Georgina smiled and nodded her gratitude. ‘I’ll get the next ones.’
As Matt headed out to fetch their lunch, Georgina leaned back in her chair, a contented sigh escaping her lips. Despite the rocky start, she couldn't remember the last time she'd enjoyed a morning so much. And as she glanced at the door through which Matt had just left, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement for what not only the afternoon, but for also what the rest of the week might bring.
Act 2 – Chapter seven
Georgina rushed to Ruff to Regal. She had just ten minutes before Matt came to pick her up. She stopped suddenly in her tracks. He would be expecting to pick her up from her house. She quickly fished her phone out of her handbag and texted as she walked.
Hi Matt. Sorry to be an
inconvenience, but can you
pick me up from the
seafront instead of my
house?
There wasn’t time to stand and wait for an answer, she continued on to Ruff and Regal.
Knocking on the door to the dog groomers, Georgina’s stomach turned over. She'd had a text message from Christine yesterday evening to say that Marcus had wanted to see her first thing today. She hoped he hadn’t changed his mind about employing her.
The door opened and Marcus beckoned her in. ‘Good morning, Georgina, come in.’
‘Good morning, Marcus. Is everything okay?’
‘Yes-yes. All good. I just wanted to find out what size you are because I’m going to order you some snazzy overalls to wear here so you don’t ruin your own clothes. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for ages, but I would have felt too self-conscious if just me had worn some. Now I can.’
Georgina chuckled. ‘Oh is that all. I thought you’d changed your mind about hiring me.’
