Page 14 of Always Beth
‘Thank you. I really appreciate this,’ I whisper.
‘Not a problem. There you go, all done.’
‘Wow, that was quick.’
‘I don’t mess around, Beth. If something needs seeing to, I see to it.’
My mouth goes dry as I struggle to think of a witty comeback. How has he gone from annoying to hot in the past five minutes? My eyes drop as he wipes his hands on the back pockets of his jeans and I can’t help but notice how good he looks.
‘Here’s your jack and your fucking locking wheel nut.’ A slow smile spreads across his face as he places the items back and shuts the boot.
Oh god, he’s just so…
‘Would you like to come over to mine for a drink? I’ll open a bottle, you know, to say thank you.’
‘Not necessary.’ He stiffens.
Shit.I know it’s been a while, but surely I’m not that bad that a man won’t even have a drink with me.
‘Okay, your loss.’
‘Is it?’ He chuckles.
I roll my eyes and climb into the driver’s seat. ‘Thanks, James. It’s been a pleasure as always.’Smug prick.
He taps on the window and leans in as I wind it down.
‘Thank you for the invite but I’m a little busy tonight is what I should have said, perhaps you can make me a candle or something from your mummification kit.’
I laugh as I grip the steering wheel. ‘Okay, I can do that, something masculine?’
‘Yes and dick friendly.’ He grins.
‘All my products are animal friendly.’
He leans back and taps on the doorframe. ‘Who says I was talking about the dog? See you later, Beth.’
James
‘You’ve been ages. Where have you been?’
‘Oh, there was some hold-up on the lane, someone broke down, was blocking the road.’ I smile to myself as I think about the expression on Beth’s face as I left her sitting in her car. I place the takeaway bags on the side, and Lauren dishes up our food. Her plate mounts up as she piles Chinese from the boxes like it’s going out fashion. I’ve no clue where she’s going to put it. ‘Hungry?’
‘Ravenous. Did you help her?’ She pauses with bated breath, waiting for my response.
‘I never said it was a her. I said someone. Very presumptuous of you to assume it was a woman.’
‘You’re grinning like a Cheshire cat.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. Eat your mountain of food and shut up.’
Emptying what’s left of the containers on to my plate, I feel her eyes follow me as I wander into the lounge. If she thinks for a second I was talking to a woman, that will be it, I’ll never hear the end of it. She’s like a dog with a bone when she gets an idea into her head.
The television blares out as I blindly select a channel. Anything to avoid the continuation of this conversation. From the corner of my eye, I catch her shovelling spoonful after spoonful into her face. I pause momentarily and watch her – in any other circumstance I would be horrified, but seeing her eat properly makes me feel like everything is normal.
‘Enjoying that?’ I mutter.
‘Mhmmmmm, so good.’
