Page 2
Despite it being quite a while since she’d been flirted with, Frankie hadn’t completely forgotten the signs.
‘Do you have a dog needing walked?’ Frankie said lightly.
‘Nope. I’m housesitting for Colin and Helen while they’re on their honeymoon, and whilst happy to let me water their plants, they clearly don’t extend their trust to me looking after their dogs. I take it you’re doing that?’
Frankie nodded. She was looking forward to having Lady the Springer Spaniel and Monty the black Labrador staying with her and her own dogs for a couple of weeks.
‘They must have a lot of precious plants if you need to move from the South of England just to water them.’
The man flashed her a sheepish smile. ‘It’s out of pity. I’m in the process of getting my place renovated and I’m sick of dust and mess and workmen using the last of my milk for their tea. Colin offered me the alternative of staying up here in the fresh air and countryside. I work mostly from home anyway so I’ll be doing the same thing but with the lovely Scottish Highlands in autumn as a backdrop. From what I’ve seen so far, I’m a big fan of this area.’
The look he gave Frankie, bordering on smouldering, intimated he wasn’t just talking about the flora and fauna.
‘I’m Ben.’
‘Frankie,’ she said with a smile, shaking his outheld hand formally.
‘And being the good friend that I am, I should really pop in to check on the dogs too, from time to time,’ Ben added, his eyes glinting warmly.
‘I suppose you should.’
With a long final note on the accordion, the band announced that had been their final dance and the disco would commence after a small break.
There was a surge for the bar and Frankie and Ben headed back to their table.
‘Are you relieved it’s reverting to the disco now?’ Frankie asked.
Ben threw his head back and laughed. ‘Hell no, I don’t even have the excuse of not knowing the steps. I truly am an appalling dancer. People have thought I’ve needed medical assistance on those rare occasions I’ve shifted some shapes.’
‘The fact you call it “shifting shapes” says it all, really.’
A woman chose that moment to come up to Frankie with her place setting and a pen.
‘Would you mind writing down your phone number on this? My son is in desperate need of your services.’
‘Of course.’ Frankie happily obliged. Handing the woman back the card, Frankie’s mobile started to ring. It was the taxi firm letting her know the car she’d pre-booked had arrived at the front of the hotel.
‘Oh, sorry, I’ve got to go,’ Frankie said, then dived under the table to scrabble around for her stilettos.
Ben lifted the table cover and ducked his head down.
‘Phew! You’re getting your shoes. I thought for a moment you were digging a tunnel to escape my chat.’
Frankie re-emerged with her high heels. ‘Not at all, but I’ll have two very annoyed dogs if I stay out past their time for a walk and bedtime Bonio.’
‘Well, I do not want to anger your dogs. It was nice meeting you. I’ll hopefully see you again soon, Frankie.’
Not committing herself either way, but giving him what she hoped was an enigmatic smile, Frankie hurried off to say goodbye to the bride and groom and, with a last look at Ben, who was still watching her and smiling, Frankie clutched her borrowed heels against her chest and hurried through the reception to the waiting taxi.
CHAPTER 2
FRANKIE
Frankie woke on Monday morning to see a shaft of November sunlight peeking through a gap in the curtains.
Glancing at the little illuminated clock on her bedside table she realised it was only a few minutes before her alarm normally woke her. She lay for a moment, listening to the gentle snoring of her two dogs who were on the floor beside her. Frankie mentally went through her plans for that day. First thing, Colin and Helen were bringing their dogs round before they headed off on their honeymoon.
Getting out of bed, Frankie threw on her dressing gown and padded through to the large open living area of her converted barn, closely followed by Gilbert, her four-year-old rescue dog, who’d jumped up, alert, as soon as Frankie twitched the duvet. Although his breed was unknown, Frankie would put money on there being a bit of collie, some red setter and possibly a generational throwback of great Dane in Gilbert’s DNA due to his immense size. As she opened up the front door, Gilbert gave a deep, booming bark of happiness which echoed up into the high beams, before running outside to scamper around in the piles of crunchy fallen leaves covering the couple of acres of land her barn sat on. A moment later, a slower and stiffer Storm followed. At almost twelve years old, Frankie’s Golden Retriever was slightly deaf and had a bit of arthritis but was as loving and keen to please as she’d always been and also hated to think Gilbert might be doing something she was missing out on as she hopped down the step onto the grass to follow her doggy brother.
