Page 8 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

Hannah was tempted to stomp back to the hotplate but didn’t want to appear rude or draw even more attention to herself so, instead, she fixed a smile to her face and turned back to the handsome stranger. ‘Can I get you anything else? Fries? A drink – we do hot and cold?’ Her mind was a whirl of the intense attraction she felt for him and irritation with her aunt for meddling and putting her in this beyond awkward position. She made her mind up to give her a stern talking to when they next had a quiet moment and it was just the two of them. If there was a chance the handsome stranger would return for another burger, there was no way she would be serving him. Yes, there was no denying he was out-of-the-way good-looking – read drop-dead-gorgeous – but that was as far as it went. Hannah was done with relationships, as her aunt knew full well. She was never going to let another man into her life. Instead, her plan was to remain resolutely single and avoid the risk of getting her heart ripped apart like the last time.

‘I’ll have a portion of fries with your homemade herby sprinkles and a bottle of water, thanks.’ His velvety voice with that delicious, gentle Scottish accent sent her feelings of exasperation scurrying off and the heady mix of emotions that had her body under siege into further turmoil. And it really didn’t help that his smile suggested he’d also cottoned on to her aunt’s tactics.

‘If you don’t mind, I’ll let my aunt take payment while I go and crack on with the cooking; the queue’s getting quite long,’ she said, telling the truth; a further four customers had joined since her aunt had started Ketchupgate. She turned to her aunt and gave her a loaded glare. ‘If you wouldn’t mind, Auntie Coll, I need to wash my hands now, then I can resume cooking.’

‘’Course, no problem, flower,’ her aunt said chirpily, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

‘You’re in big trouble,’ Hannah muttered as she brushed by her in the close confines of the van, relieved that she could finally hide her blushes.

‘You’re welcome! Happy to help, as always,’ her aunt replied breezily on her way to the hatch. ‘Now then, young man, so that was a Regular Bougie Burger, a portion of fries and a bottle of water. Ooh, and don’t let me forget to give you one of our loyalty cards. I’m sure it won’t be long before we see you again.’

‘I’m sure it won’t.’ From the tone of his reply, it was clear the handsome stranger was fully aware of her aunt’s meaning.

Hannah squirted soap onto her hands and rolled her eyes. Auntie Coll was about as subtle as a sledgehammer.

As she worked on the handsome stranger’s order, she tried to eavesdrop on what her aunt was saying. From what she could hear above the sizzle of the burgers and the background burble of the radio, it sounded more like the poor lad was being interrogated. Auntie Coll would no doubt have his family history, date of birth, marital status and shoe size by the time she’d finished with him. She was incorrigible when she was on a mission.

When his order was ready, Hannah did as was the norm for their routine, and popped the wrapped burger and carton of fries onto the designated tray in the food prep area then dinged the bell alerting her troublesome co-worker that it was ready to be handed to the customer. But something told Hannah that her aunt wouldn’t be grabbing this one. And she didn’t have to wait long before she was proved right.

Not two seconds later, Colleen called to her, ‘Would you mind just popping it over here, lovey? I’ve got my hands full at the minute, juggling several orders at once and young Lachie here’s desperate to try his first Bougie Burger, isn’t that right, flower?’

‘Er, aye, that’s right,’ came the dulcet Scottish tones threaded with a hint of amusement.

Hannah rolled her eyes once more, inwardly cursing her aunt. She’d barely had a chance to get her emotions reined in; she wasn’t ready to face the handsome stranger – or ‘Lachie’ as he was apparently called – so soon. Her heart was still jumping about in her chest and those pesky butterflies still hadn’t let up with their frantic fluttering.

She took a steadying breath. ‘Yep, ’course.’ She scooped up the burger and fries and headed to the hatch, adopting what she hoped was an insouciant air. ‘There you go, I hope you enjoy.’ Doing all she could to avoid making eye contact with Lachie, she went to place the order on the counter, but she hadn’t bargained for their fingers making contact as he went to take it from her. ‘Oh!’ A bolt of electricity shot right up her arm and, if his expression was anything to go by, he’d clearly felt it, too. Their eyes locked for what seemed like an eternity, unspoken words passing between them.

‘Thanks,’ he said, his eyes still on hers.

‘You’re welcome.’ She swallowed.

‘See you soon.’ He seemed reluctant to leave, but another cough – this time from Gav, who’d been waiting patiently for Hannah to complete his order – broke the spell.

‘Bye,’ she murmured, still unable to pull her gaze away as Lachie treated her to a smile that reached all the way to those dreamy green eyes, crinkling the corners and turning her knees to jelly. In that moment Hannah found herself hoping that ‘soon’ would mean just that, her resolution to steer clear of men suddenly wavering.

Hannah and her aunt watched as he turned and walked away, their eyes widening as they took in his attire.

‘Oh, wow!’ Hannah couldn’t help but blurt it out.

‘Oh, my days.’ Her aunt clapped her hands to her chest. ‘I don’t think there’s anything more attractive, or masculine for that matter, than a man in a kilt. If only I was twenty years younger, I’d⁠—’

‘Behave yourself! He’ll hear you!’ Hannah said in a sharp whisper, nudging her aunt with her elbow. ‘How many times have I told you, you can’t say things like that these days, Auntie Coll? And even if you were twenty years younger, I reckon that would still make you a good twenty years older than him!’ They both giggled at that.

‘Cheek! Anyroad, what’s twenty-odd years between friends?’ Colleen gave a mischievous cackle while her niece shook her head.

Though, if she was being honest, she couldn’t argue with her aunt’s observation. Right now, she couldn’t think of anything more attractive or masculine than their newest customer. In fact, she couldn’t take her eyes off him with his laid-back walk and the easy way he wore his kilt, which, she noted, was made of a subtle tartan in muted shades of green and purple that put her in mind of the heather-covered hills of the moors. It went exceptionally well with his sage-green cotton shirt, battered brown rigger boots and thick woollen socks that showcased his strong calves to perfection. Hannah’s heart gave another lilt.

‘I get why you’re gawping, lasses, you don’t see many blokes dressed like that round ’ere. I reckon he must be from Scotland,’ observed Gav, who’d followed their line of sight, as had the other customers who’d been queueing in an orderly line behind him.

‘I reckon you could be right there, Gav,’ said Colleen, catching Hannah’s eye, the pair exchanging a smile.

The handsome stranger took a right, disappointingly disappearing from view. Much to Hannah and her aunt’s delight, he reappeared seconds later, a large golden Labrador-type dog sporting a wiry coat, an impressive set of whiskers and a jaunty walk at his side.

‘Aww, cute dog,’ said Hannah. She was a sucker for any dog that resembled a Labrador and, being so fluffy, this one looked extra adorable.

‘Cute dog, cute owner,’ Colleen said in Hannah’s ear, earning herself a tut and another nudge from her niece.

‘Shh! I’ve told you, that kind of talk’s so not PC these days, Auntie Coll,’ she whispered.