Page 41 of Whispers from the Past

It’s a date!

Well this date had better be an improvement on last night!

😉

Holly’s winking emoji made Rose laugh - but even that absurd outburst in the silent cabin of Tony’s Daewoo didn’t elicit a reaction. He was on autopilot. It was at times like this, that usually she’d pull a book out of her bag. But the bag with her book in was in the boot - her handbag wasn’t big enough to fit a book in as well as her phone and keys. So instead, she had to suffer the awkward journey home sans book. As he pulled his car into the space behind the cafe 40 minutes later, she saw a slight glimmer of the usual Tony.

‘I’m really sorry about all this Rose. I’ll catch you later?’

‘Don’t worry about it. Just sort out whatever has happened.’ She forced a smile as she climbed out of the car. Relieved to be heading back to the comforting silence of the book store. She couldn’t quite find the humour in the irony yet though of that fact that no sooner had she decided with herself to explore things with Tony, he froze her out. She was starting to think that the universe really had it in for her or that maybe she was the common denominator. There was something about her that made men keep their distance.

It has been a quiet morning. Just one customer had come through the old door of the Book Nook. But the visitor had been an engaging one. A young woman had stopped by on her way through to visit her grandmother who lived nearby. She was in desperate need of some books to keep her occupied during her visit. Her grandmother was a big Mills and Boon fan, of the Renaissance variety, and she’d had her fill of romance novels. Rose relished the opportunity to recommend some books after chatting with her for a while, and a little while later she left with an armful of books, looking relieved to have something to read other than bodice ripping stories. Checking her watch, Rose realised it was time to catch up with Holly. She grabbed the ‘closed for lunch’ sign from below the counter and hung it inside the door before locking up.

Holly was sitting in one of the corner booths with a couple of sandwiches when Rose slipped through the heavy pub doors moments later. Seeing her, she waved her over motioning at the food in front of her.

‘These look so good!’ Rose said as sat down and bit a chunk out of the deep sandwich in front of her. The creamy cheese appleslaw was delicious and she moaned appreciatively. Holly sat expectantly, waiting for her to finish her mouthful. Clearing her mouth with a slight cough, she decided to leave her waiting a bit longer for the conversation she knew Holly wanted to have.

‘I’ve not seen Luke around this week.’

‘No, you’re right. He’s been holed up in the garage on a project and then had to travel somewhere to meet someone about a car. He did tell me all the details, but when he starts talking about mechanics and stuff, I just stop listening. It’s an involuntary switch off. It’s happened quite a bit in the last few years, he’ll get totally focussed on some task at hand or car he wants to fix, or buy and everything else goes out the window.’ She shrugged. ‘But he’s ok - as ok as he ever is,’ she added after a slight pause. ‘Now come on. Stop stalling. I need to know about last night!’ she pleaded.

‘It’s nothing juicy I’m afraid. More confusing really.’ Holly bit into her sandwich, nodding for Rose to continue. ‘So, we had a lovely drive over - I discovered he’s a Green Day fan - dinner was great. We went to the bar afterwards and ordered drinks. All going well. And then his phone rang and he spent the rest of the night, until the early hours I’m guessing, pacing outside on his phone.’

‘Who was he talking to?’

‘I have no idea,’ Rose grudgingly confessed.

‘That is so weird.’ Holly shook her head.

‘I know - right? And he was totally distracted this morning. Didn’t want to stay for breakfast, just wanted to get back here and didn’t speak the whole drive back here.’ Rose took another bite of her sandwich. ‘Holly, this sandwich is seriously good.’

‘New addition to the menu. You’re my guinea pig,’ Holly laughed.

‘You’re changing up the menu?’

‘Just trying out some things. I may have begrudgingly reflected on our conversation about accepting a little help around here and took Seb up on his offer to do more in the kitchen.’

‘So Seb is in the building right now? I really think that by now, I should know him better.’

‘He’s working in the kitchen Rose. And he’s very busy. No time for social visits.’

‘But surely he’s due a lunch break.’

‘He’s already had his break, before the lunch rush.’

‘You are no fun, Holly Loxley.’

‘Hey, I’m a lot of fun. So back to Tony’s mystery caller…you’ve got no idea who he was talking to?’

‘None whatsoever. At first I thought it might be something wrong at the cafe - you know, like a burst pipe or something. But you don’t spend all night talking about a burst pipe.’

Having had enough of pondering over Tony’s odd behaviour, Rose decided to change the subject away from him; ‘Isn’t it the beer festival Friday? I need filling in on the details.’

‘Oh, it’s great! You’ll love it. I started it five years ago, and it’s become this super popular date in the calendar. People visit us from all over to try the new beers we brew especially for the festival.’

‘It does sound great. What are you showcasing this year?’

‘Oh. I can’t tell you. It’s totally top secret.’