A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,41

really but it’s nothing for you to worry about.’

‘It looked serious to me. Are you sure you’re all right?’

‘Yes. No … It was Ben, my brother. I haven’t seen him since the start of this year. I’d no idea he’d walk in to the pub tonight. We don’t get on,’ he added as if that wasn’t bloody obvious.

‘I’m sorry …’ He could see that she really meant it. ‘Actually, I recognise the big Maori guy he was with at the bar,’ Lottie said. ‘He plays for a local club, Langmere. They must have had a game against your brother’s team.’

‘I’d no idea that Ben had joined that club,’ he said gruffly, still shaking from the shock of Ben crashing in on what had been a very enjoyable evening. ‘He used to play for Kendal but he must have moved up here. Or at least switched teams.’

‘I could see you were shocked,’ she said gently.

‘I was. Gobsmacked.’ He threw up his hands in frustration. ‘But I shouldn’t have reacted like that.’

‘It’s OK. I hope you didn’t mind me coming after you?’ she said, holding out his jacket. ‘I brought your coat. You’re shivering.’

‘Am I?’ His stomach clenched in guilt and the rush of emotion at Lottie’s kindness. ‘Thanks …’ He took his coat, wrestling for some self-control in front of her. ‘Ben and I don’t have contact any more, and that’s my decision. You must think I’m mad, kicking off like that in front of everyone.’

‘No. I don’t. I um – understand what it feels like when someone you thought had gone from your life turns up out of the blue.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes,’ she said warily. ‘But how are you feeling now?’

‘Better … but I think I should go home.’ Their gazes met, and again he felt a powerful pull to her. He wasn’t sure what her comment about ‘people turning up’ meant, but he wasn’t convinced she understood how he was feeling. She was surely too gentle and caring to feel the level of anger that he had in those first few seconds after coming face to face with Ben.

Yet he did feel calmer, simply by talking to her and being in her presence. She touched his arm; it felt like balm on a wound.

‘I’ll come with you if you like …’

‘I don’t want to cut your evening short,’ he said, though the prospect of her company on the walk back to Firholme was very appealing. There was something fresh and lovely about her that made him feel soothed and made him want to talk. He felt ashamed for rushing out and derailing her night yet he wanted to be with her. ‘If you really don’t mind, I’d like that,’ he added.

The glow of pleasure in Lottie’s eyes calmed him, but only for a second because suddenly, her smile faded and her mouth opened a little wider, a tiny wisp of breath misting the air. It was enough to raise his pulse and alert him that she’d spotted something behind him.

He twisted round and saw Ben cutting a direct path towards him.

‘Don’t let him upset you.’

Lottie’s warning words were lost in the spike of adrenaline. His heart rate took off. He didn’t want to speak to Ben. ‘I can’t handle this,’ he said to Lottie. ‘I need to walk away now. Let’s go.’ He started walking away with Lottie but Ben followed them.

‘Wait! Jay! Don’t go off on one!’

A hand brushed his shoulder. ‘I w-want to talk to you.’

Jay shrugged it off. ‘Get off me. This is pointless. We’ve said all we want to say.’

Ben glanced from Lottie to Jay. ‘Don’t worry, love. I’m not going to cause a scene.’

Jay exploded. He didn’t even want his brother breathing the same air as Lottie ‘She’s not your love, Ben. You patronising git.’

‘He’s right, I’m not anyone’s love,’ Lottie burst out. ‘And I can speak for myself. I’ll go back inside when I’m sure you two aren’t going to have a wrestling match out here in the car park. I have no idea what’s wrong between you, but for God’s sake, don’t settle it with your fists.’

Ben glared at her then said, ‘Wow. She’s a feisty one, bro.’

Jay curled his lip. ‘Oh, just piss off, Ben. And by the way, I’m not your bro.’

Her eyes widened and Jay was filled with dismay at the intensity of his reaction.

‘Shall we go back to Firholme now?’ he said to Lottie, as calmly as he could.

She hesitated then nodded. ‘I’ll text Shayla and tell her I’m walking