Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

B ea closed the bookshop door and turned around as Lyndsey came through the door to the flat carrying a large steaming mug.

‘I made you some hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, just the way you like it.' Placing the mug on the counter, Lyndsey grimaced. ‘Well, not quite. There might just be a tiny dash of orange juice in there too courtesy of Peony, but it might taste nice. Sort of like a liquid version of a chocolate orange, maybe?'

Bursting out laughing, Bea joined her at the counter. ‘Now I'm not sure whether to thank you or not.'

Turning around so she was leaning against the counter, Lyndsey looked at her sister. ‘Hey, do you fancy a girlie evening tonight? The kids will be in bed in a couple of hours and we could pop out to the pub or to Ruby's restaurant or somewhere and leave Rob to keep an eye on them?'

‘Aw, that would have been lovely but it's Wednesday.' Bea picked up the mug, gingerly lifting it to her lips.

‘Wednesday, of course. Shopkeeper meeting day?'

‘Yep, that's it.' Bea nodded and braved a sip. ‘Umm, it's not so bad.'

‘It isn't?'

‘Nope. Not quite chocolate orange tasty but drinkable.' Bea grinned and placed the mug down. ‘Sorry, it would have been nice to have a girlie night. Maybe I can grab a pizza on my way back and we could watch a film or something? I know it's not the same as going out but…'

‘Great. That sounds good and then you can tell me all about what's going on with you and the new shopkeeper, Scott.' Lyndsey grinned. ‘Don't think I didn't notice the smile on your face when you walked into the shop after being with him yesterday.'

‘Oh.' Bea couldn't help but smile. After going to The MAD Museum with Scott yesterday, she'd got back just in time for Lyndsey to rush out to do the school and nursery run and then to take Peony and Isaac to various clubs. When Lyndsey had finally finished running her children about, they'd crossed paths as Bea had left to go for dinner with Scott.

‘I could kick myself for drifting off on the sofa last night. I'd been waiting to interrogate you when you'd come in from your dinner out.' Lyndsey slapped her forehead.

‘I did wonder if that's why you'd fallen asleep on the sofa.' Bea grinned.

‘So? Come on, you must have a few minutes to tell me all.' Lyndsey pulled herself up onto the bar stool and looked pointedly at her sister.

‘Umm, what do you want to know?'

‘Everything.'

Glancing at the clock, Bea frowned. She had about five minutes tops before Fleur would be knocking at the door. ‘I don't think I have time to tell you everything…'

‘Oi! Stop stalling then! Spill.' Lyndsey crossed her arms.

‘Okay, okay.' Holding her hands up, palms forward, Bea bit down on her bottom lip. ‘I think me and Scott are in a relationship.'

‘In a relationship? Seriously? Oh, my days, I've so many questions! What? How? What again? What do you mean think?'

Bea could feel herself redden at the memory of her and Scott's first kiss. ‘He kissed me. I mean we kissed more than once but the first time was him kissing me when we went to Stratford-Upon-Avon and then he said it thought it could be the start of something wonderful.'

‘The start of something wonderful. Ooh, that's so romantic.' Lyndsey reached out and touched Bea's hand. ‘And, yes, I'd say that you're most definitely in a relationship now.'

‘Like a proper one?'

‘What he said makes it pretty clear, doesn't it?' Lyndsey frowned.

‘Yes, I think so. It's just been so long since I've done any of this and…' Bea shrugged.

‘You're scared.' Finishing her sister's sentence Lyndsey sighed. ‘It's understandable. It's the unknown but do you know something? The unknown can be a pretty cool thing and the beginning of a relationship can be the perfect place to be.'

‘Umm, maybe.' Bea shook her head. ‘Yes, I mean yes. There's just something about him… he makes me feel so at ease with being myself. I don't feel as though I need to pretend.'

Standing up, Lyndsey threw her arms around her sister. ‘You've got this, Bea. Just believe and you'll find your happy ever after. You deserve it.'

Bea laughed. ‘It's a bit too early for saying anything like that, Lyndsey. We've what known each other a week or so and only started whatever this is yesterday.'

‘I know. Still, think positively.' Letting her arms fall to her sides, Lyndsey grimaced. ‘I suppose I'd best go and make a start on the dreaded bedtime routine. Rob's got to run out and drop our key off at the plumber's house so he can make a start at fixing that pipe tomorrow.'

‘Okay, say night to the kids for me.'

‘Will do.' Lyndsey pulled open the door to the flat before looking back at her. ‘And don't blame me if that drink makes you sick. Blame Peony.'

‘Haha, I will.' Bea picked up her notebook and pen just as the Fleur knocked on the door. She hurried across to the door, pulled it open and was immediately dragged outside by Fleur. ‘Hi, to you too.'

Tapping her foot whilst Bea locked up, Fleur then slipped her arm through Bea's as they began the walk towards the town hall. ‘Go on, then. Tell me all.'

Groaning, Bea looked down at her feet. ‘Not you too. I've just been interrogated by my sister.'

Pausing, Fleur dramatically covered her cheeks with her hands. ‘You mean to tell me you've told someone before divulging all to me?'

Laughing, Bea shook her head. ‘Hardly. We only had five minutes to chat before you turned up.'

‘Well, chat some more. I was right, wasn't I? About you and Scott? There is something there.' Taking Bea's arm again, Fleur smiled. ‘I just knew it. Didn't I tell you that he was your type? I spotted the instant attraction between the both of you the first time you saw each other.'

‘Well…'

‘You'll have to remember that. I want a mention in the speeches.' Fleur paused for a millisecond before shaking her head. ‘No, scrap that. I'll write my own speech, stand up in front of everyone and tell them how you both met. I…'

‘Fleur, slow down! I'm not marrying the guy. We've only just started this thing.'

‘This thing?' Fleur frowned. ‘Aren't you seeing each other?'

‘Yes, yes, I think so. He said he wanted to. I want to.' Bea buried her face in her hands. Why was this so difficult? ‘It's just super super early. I don't even know if he wants anyone to know about us.'

‘Why wouldn't he?'

Bea scrunched up her nose. She didn't have all the answers. She didn't feel as though she had any of the answers at this moment in time. She sighed. ‘I guess it just all feels so surreal. I've not been in this position in forever. I don't know how any of it works anymore.'

‘Sure, you do. Nothing's changed.'

‘Umm, only the fact that Adam was Rob's best mate, so things were just so much simpler. Me and Scott? We hardly know each other.'

‘And that's the joy of dating, Bea. Getting to know someone. Enjoy it.'

‘Maybe.' Bea nodded. Yes, she should enjoy it. She really did feel as though they could have a connection, a special connection, and if she wasn't careful, she'd just go and run the other way. ‘I guess I'm just scared because I do really like him.'

‘And I'm sure he really likes you too.' Fleur rubbed Bea's arm before letting go and pulling the door to the town hall open.

‘Bea, hold up.'

Bea turned as Scott jogged towards them. ‘Hi.'

‘Hey.' Scott grinned at her before looking across at Fleur. ‘Hi, Fleur.'

‘Hello, Scott.' Fleur raised her eyebrows and stepped inside. ‘I'll meet you in there.'

‘Okay.' Bea nodded and turned back to Scott. ‘Sorry, she didn't need to do that.'

‘No, but it does give us a few minutes alone time.' Scott smiled. ‘I really enjoyed myself yesterday, our trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon, dinner at Ruby's.'

‘Me too.' Was there going to be a ‘but'?

‘Good.' Stepping towards her, he took her hands in his.

With the warmth of his skin warming her hands, Bea met his gaze and took a deep breath. ‘I need to tell you something.'

‘Oh, okay.' Disappointment flushed across his face.

‘I've not done this… been in a new relationship, for a very long time. I've been single over two years now, married for seven before that.' She shrugged. She didn't want to give him the wrong idea. The last thing she wanted was for him to take what she was trying to say to mean that she didn't want a relationship with him. She did. ‘It all feels new to me.'

‘It's the same for me.' He rubbed the pad of his thumbs across the backs of her hands in a slow circular motion. ‘I was in a long-term relationship too. Do you want this though? Do you want to give us a try?'

‘Yes, yes, I definitely do.' Bea looked down feeling a deep heat rise to her skin. ‘Sorry, that sounded daft, didn't it? But, yes, I want to give us a go.'

‘That didn't sound daft.' He chuckled. ‘It was just the answer I needed.'

‘Right.' Bea bit down on her bottom lip. He was in the same situation then. Unsure of what they were supposed to be doing.

‘I say we just bumble our way through this? What do you think? I know I want to see where things go with you, and from what you've said you want the same thing, so how about we throw caution to the wind and see where it leads us?'

‘I'd like that very much.' Gently tugging her hand away, she reached up and ran her finger across his cheek to his lips before leaning forward and kissing him. Closing her eyes, she sank against him as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tighter.

‘Ahem, time please!' Gregory's curt tone cut through their moment and both Bea and Scott jumped apart as though they'd been caught shoplifting or something equally illegal and frowned upon.

‘Gregory. Sorry, I…' Bea mumbled, averting his gaze. She hadn't even heard the door open.

‘We're all waiting on you both.' Gregory tapped his foot before ushering them through the door.

As they walked across the vast hall towards the room at the back, Scott reached out and took her hand. Glancing across at him, she grinned, suddenly feeling the urge to laugh as Gregory tap-tapped in his shoes behind them.

Picking up his pace, Gregory weaved in front of them before holding the door open and announcing their arrival to the meeting. ‘Now maybe we can begin today's meeting.'

Bea looked at Scott before glancing down at their hands, still entwined between them. Should she let go? Would he want everyone to know about them? As if reading her mind, Scott tightened his grasp and led the way into the room, all eyes upon them as he led the way through the narrow row between the tables. As they neared the back table in the corner which Fleur had secured, Scott paused and leaned forward, whispering in her ear.

‘Shall we put the rumours to bed?'

‘Huh?' Bea looked at him questioningly before realising what he meant. Gregory was sure to mention something of what he'd seen in the meeting and if he didn't then it wouldn't take Fleur long to let something slip. She nodded.

As soon as Bea had nodded, Scott leaned forward and pecked her on the lips, before turning and taking the front desk – the only one empty.

Slipping into her seat, amid a round of ‘oohs' sounding from her colleagues, Bea felt her face flush.

‘I think that just answered your question on whether he wants a relationship or not.' Grinning, Fleur leaned across to her, whispering behind her hand.

‘Uh-huh.' Nodding, Bea swallowed. She wasn't used to this, being the centre of attention. And she wasn't used to being part of a couple either. Blinking, she tried to focus on Gregory as he took his spot behind the table at the front of the room.

‘That's so cute.' Fleur clapped her hands.

Turning to her, Bea waved her hand in front of her face, cooling herself. ‘He is.'

Fleur nudged her and giggled. ‘I meant the situation, but I can tell you think he's cute.'

‘Okay, enough of the excitement.' Gregory tapped the end of his pen against the tabletop, one sharp tap quietening the room, before he pulled his shirt collar from his neck. ‘it seems my mentorship program has worked a little too well.'

As the room fell into a snicker of laughter, Scott twisted in his chair and grinned at Bea. Smiling back at him, she felt that flutter in her stomach again. Yes, they definitely did have a lot to thank Gregory for.