Practically Perfect (23 page)

‘Now little one, I’m going to have to take you home.’

‘It’s been a lovely evening.’

‘And it’s not over yet.’ He smiled and her stomach flipped with a mixture of desire and, she realised, nervousness.

‘I hope you like my dog,’ she said.

He chuckled. ‘So do I.’

‘Um – I’ll just pop to the Ladies again before we go,’ she said. She couldn’t explain that she’d have no opportunity to check on her make-up or comb her hair when
she
got back and not just because she was hoping they’d be in each other’s arms the moment they had got through the door and said hello to Caroline.

She didn’t keep him waiting long and he steered her to his car.

‘So,’ he said, when they were strapped in and about to set off, ‘How soon will your house be ready for sale, did you say?’

Oh heavens, he was back on that subject again. ‘I’ve already told you, not for ages. It’s not nearly ready!’

‘That could be a good thing. I’ve been thinking, we could make any necessary alterations before he moves in.’

‘All the plans have already been submitted. It would be terribly time-consuming to change them now. It is a listed building,’ she added, feeling a bit panicky. He was soon going to see exactly how much work needed to be done.

He reached out and took her cheek in his hand. ‘I don’t think we need to bother ourselves with a little thing like that. Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing it myself.’

‘I did explain that the house isn’t nearly finished,’ she whispered, after they’d parked at the end and she led Max along the lane, past the sleeping houses.

‘Only about a thousand times,’ he said, taking her arm.

She leant into him: not that she’d drunk that much but these boots were a little awkward to walk in.

‘I just didn’t want you to be shocked,’ she said. ‘I mean, there isn’t anything that makes it comfortable, not yet, and Caroline is huge …’

She apologised all the way. When they got to her front door, he said. ‘Do shut up, darling!’

Anna found this strangely sexy and giggled. She looked up at him, unsure how to proceed.

He took the decision out of her hands. He put his hand under her chin, and lowered his mouth to hers.

He really was a fantastic kisser, she thought as she felt his tongue explore her mouth with delicate intensity. He finished with a peck right on her mouth, sealing the kiss with a full stop. It was, she decided, technically perfect.

She smiled up at him, confident now that shared passion would over-ride any shortcomings of the house. ‘Do let’s go in. I’ll make you some instant coffee.’

He winced. ‘Wish I could, darling, but actually, I’ve got to get back to London tonight.’

She couldn’t believe it. ‘What? Surely not?’

‘Surely, yes!’

‘But it’s miles! You’ll be exhausted!’

‘It’s not a bad journey at all at this time of night. It’s why I think Julian might well be interested in your little house. Now –’ he patted her cheek – ‘be a good girl, and I’ll be in touch.’

She let herself in, reeling from surprise and disappointment. Caroline got up from the sofa and Anna took her silky ears in her hands and gently pulled them. ‘You don’t have to worry,’ she said to her flatly, ‘he didn’t come in.’

Although she was very tired she felt too jittery just to go to bed, so she made herself some hot chocolate and shared the sofa with Caroline while she drank it. She replayed the evening in her head, wondering why there was a niggling sense of doubt in among the blissfulness. Later, as she lay in the bed she had thought would be for both of them, she decided it was because she hadn’t played her part perfectly. She’d meant to make him laugh and hadn’t quite done it. It would be better next time, she was sure of it.

Chapter Fourteen

ON MONDAY ANNA
was up early. She’d spent most of Sunday pottering round, barely having a moment to think about her evening with Max, as she finished off her fireplace and put the final touches to her plans for her staircase. Today she was going to start.

After she’d walked Caroline she got on her bike and set off to the builders’ merchants. There was really no time to hang around – if Max’s friend might consider buying her house, she must make sure it had a staircase when he came to see it. Besides, Chloe had kindly offered her the loan of Mike. If he was willing to be loaned, she must take advantage of it.

She ordered her timber, took her ticket round the outside of the premises to where the payments were made, had the amount added to her account, and then asked them to deliver it.

‘I’m afraid the van driver’s off this week. Broken his ankle. If you want it delivered it’ll have to be next week, when we’ve got someone else coming.’

This was awful news. ‘Surely you’ll be getting someone else sooner than next week?’

The kindly man in the brown overall shook his head. ‘Most people collect their own stuff.’

‘Is there a problem?’

Rob Hunter’s deep voice from behind her made her
jump
. ‘Oh! Hello! What are you doing here on a Monday morning?’

He smiled. ‘Much the same as you are, I assume. I work flexitime,’ he explained, answering the question in her eyes. ‘So, is there a problem?’ he asked again.

‘The young lady was wanting us to deliver her timber, but our van driver’s off.’

He looked at Anna quizzically. ‘Why do you need it delivered?’

‘Well, because …’ Anna suddenly felt awkward. She’d dodged the car issue with Rob once before and she didn’t really feel up to explaining it now. ‘I just do!’ she said defensively.

‘Why don’t you take it yourself? How much of it is there?’

‘Just a couple of long ones,’ said the man.

‘Only a couple? You could probably manage them in the car if you thought about it. I could give you a hand working out how to fit them in.’

‘I don’t think so,’ said Anna, beginning to laugh with embarrassment.

‘Why? What sort of a car have you got?’

This really was silly. ‘A bicycle,’ she said in a small voice.

‘Excuse me?’

‘I haven’t got a car! I’ve got a bicycle. Does that explain why I can’t fit the timber in?’ There, it was out. He could laugh at it if he wanted to, and he did.

It was a low, attractive laugh. Max’s laugh was slightly higher-pitched.

‘You mean you’ve been managing all this time, doing up your house, without a car?’ Rob asked, raising an eyebrow.

‘Yup. Chloe gives me lifts or I take taxis if there isn’t another way round.’

‘Goodness me. Just as well I have a lumbering great Volvo, and can probably take it for you.’

‘Oh no, I couldn’t put you to all that trouble.’ The words were out of Anna’s mouth before she could check with her brain.

‘Why?’ He was looking puzzled.

‘Why what?’

‘Why don’t you want me to take your timber home?’

‘Yes, why don’t you?’ asked the man in the brown coat.

‘Because – because I like to be independent.’ She didn’t need to look at them to know that both men were exchanging exasperated looks.

‘Listen, love,’ said the man behind the counter patiently. ‘You need your timber delivered, this man says he’ll do it for you. Now I know it’s not a good idea for young ladies to get into cars with men they don’t know, but I can vouch for him.’ He leant in confidingly. ‘He’s the listed buildings officer.’

‘I know that,’ Anna felt herself being backed into a corner but still felt she ought to put up a fight. ‘It isn’t a question of me getting into a car with him. I have my bike.’

‘So, you’re just worried about me running off with your four-by-fours.’ Rob’s mouth twitched and his eyes had that disconcerting twinkle in them again.

‘No, but …’ Anna wasn’t prepared to give up just yet.

Deciding that they could sort it out between them, the man in the brown overall moved off, muttering under his breath.

‘We’ll put the bike on the roof and fit the timber in where we can.’ He looked down at her teasingly. ‘What’s the problem? You don’t want me to see that you’ve put in the patio doors after all?’

Now she let herself laugh. ‘No! I just don’t like to be beholden. And if this is your day off – your flexitime,’ she said, returning the tease, ‘you don’t want to spend it shifting timber for me.’

‘I can’t imagine a more entertaining way of spending my time. Come on, let’s get this timber loaded.’

It fitted in his Volvo quite easily, the ends of the beams sticking out of the back, with a rag – Mrs Gordon’s duster – tied on to them.

‘Now,’ said Rob, considering the car, which was now quite heavily loaded. ‘Where are we going to put you?’

‘Um, I could sit on the bike on the roof, I suppose.’ She grinned at him.

He grinned back. ‘Don’t be silly. We just need to think.’

In the end Anna sat with a bag of cement between her knees, clutching another of fire cement.

‘I’ve just got to call in at the Green Shop for some recycled loo paper and some kitchen towels,’ he said, as they set off.

‘Er!’

‘Only joking.’

Anna chuckled. ‘This really is very kind of you.’

‘It’s a pleasure. Besides, it’ll give me a chance to catch up with Caroline.’

When Anna opened her cottage door Caroline leapt at Rob as if she loved him most in all the world. She said hello to Anna, too, but it was Rob she jumped up at.

‘I’m trying to train her not to do that,’ said Anna, exasperated, as Rob put her paws back on the floor. ‘Supposing she did it to a small child? Or an old lady?’

‘It’s a dreadful habit,’ he teased.

Anna felt a little uncomfortable. ‘Shall we get the timber unloaded?’ she said quickly. ‘Or do you need a cup of coffee
or
something first?’ She felt she ought to be hospitable, especially as he’d put himself out for her.

‘I’d really like to have a look round first.’

Anna stiffened slightly, losing some of the goodwill she felt towards him.

‘Don’t worry, I’m not here to spy,’ he explained when he saw the look on her face. ‘But if I could have a peek it would save some time.’

‘In which case I’ll just put the kettle on,’ she said in a more businesslike manner. ‘We can have coffee afterwards. What do you want to see?’

‘I wanted to see the bathroom, or rather the potential bathroom.’

‘Right, follow me.’ Anna led the way.

‘You’ll be glad when you’ve got a proper staircase,’ he said, coming up behind her, rather too close for her comfort. ‘How are you getting on with it?’

‘I’ve made cardboard templates, copying Chloe’s, and I’ve cut the first tread, just to get used to the idea of having to, but I hope to press on this week, while I’m waiting for you lot to decide about the bathroom.’ She stopped and turned round. ‘I’m in a bit of a hurry. I’ve got to put the house on the market as soon as possible.’

He frowned. ‘Why? It isn’t nearly finished.’

‘I know, but it’s a very slack market just now and it might take a while to sell. I can finish it in the interim.’

‘So you don’t want to live in it yourself for a while?’

‘I do. I love this house and this area, but …’

‘What?’ He was staring at her expectantly.

She found his gaze rather unsettling and took a deep breath. ‘As I said on the phone the other day, I need the money rather quicker than I thought,’ she replied.

He nodded, seeming satisfied with her answer. ‘Let’s have a look at this bathroom, then.

‘Well, what’s there seems to coincide with the drawings,’ he said when he got there.

‘No need to sound so surprised – it’s my job!’ Why did everyone think she wasn’t up to it?

‘We quite often get drawings that bear no relation to what is actually there. It’s no reflection on you, just house-improvers in general. They push the regulations to the limit.’

‘Oh.’ She frowned, thinking of Max’s comments. ‘I’m depressingly law-abiding, I’m afraid.’

‘Don’t apologise! It’s a good thing. In this instance, anyway.’

‘Sometimes it’s just stupid.’ She turned away from him to gaze out of the window. It was what often happened to her up here; she got distracted by the beauty of the countryside. The view was so stunning, out over the village, to fields and hills beyond. She would be desperately sorry to leave it.

‘So why have you got to sell the house so quickly? I can see you really want to live in it.’ He came up behind her and she didn’t turn round.

Anna realised she might as well tell him the truth. ‘I could never have afforded to live here anyway except while I was doing it up. But I need to pay my sister some money, quite quickly. I’ll have to take less for the house with it not being decorated but I’m doing all the building work, of course.’

He paused for a moment. ‘I see. Well, these houses usually sell very easily. They’re the perfect second home,’ he went on.

Anna tutted and turned to face him. ‘I can’t help thinking of who lived in them when they were built, growing their own vegetables, walking to work down the lanes. I don’t really want someone from the city who complains about the village shop and puts decking where
there
should be a veg. patch.’ Aware that she’d been caught out being romantic, she bit her lip. ‘Of course I know you don’t have any control who buys it really, or what they do with the garden, but I would prefer it to go to someone who’s going to live here.’ She thought of Max’s friend Julian and half hoped he’d lose interest before he’d even seen the cottage.