and that she would be keeping everyone on their toes and sticking tightly to the schedule. I’d bet good money that she hadn’t underestimated anything, like I had. Thank goodness for Finn’s act of kindness.
‘Are you staying for the debrief?’ Carole asked as she handed me my keys. ‘Luke said it will be quick so I can get things set up in here.’
‘To be honest,’ I told her, stifling yet another yawn, ‘I just want a long, hot bath and an early night, but I’ll hang on. It will be useful to share our experience from today, won’t it?’
‘Absolutely,’ she agreed, ‘and Luke will really appreciate it. He’s been like an expectant father all day.’
‘Has he?’ I laughed. ‘I don’t think I’ve seen him.’
‘He’s been trying to stay out of the way,’ she grinned. ‘He didn’t want you and Lisa thinking that he was looking over your shoulder, but he’s been about, believe me!’
I left her chuckling and went to fetch Nell, who I knew would be more relaxed among people she knew.
There were just a few of us gathered for the ‘debrief’ as Carole had named it, but it went on longer than expected because Luke had arranged delivery of a Chinese takeaway for everyone to share. Lisa, John and their brood were there, along with Carole and Graham, and even Heather popped in, to say how much she’d enjoyed taking part. It was good to get another perspective on the day, and Lisa and I were both delighted it was being heralded such a success.
‘Would you consider running it again?’ asked Kate as she passed me a bag of mini spring rolls and a lager.
‘Definitely,’ Lisa and I said together.
‘So, how did it go?’
Everyone’s eyes swung to the door and the hulking great figure looming there.
‘Finn,’ I beamed, before I could stop myself.
Without his help, the afternoon would have been tricky for me to pull off, but his generosity and quick thinking had saved the day.
‘Like a dream,’ said Lisa.
‘Excellent,’ he nodded. ‘Graham, I’ve stacked a load of logs by the back door. I know you wanted to fill the baskets again and that’ll save your back a bit.’
Crikey, he was sprinkling magic everywhere. It really was a shame that we couldn’t seem to get along for five minutes together because this version of him was rather wonderful.
‘Come in,’ said Luke, pulling out a chair, ‘and help us out with some of this food. I think I might have over-ordered.’
‘Sorry,’ he said, ‘I can’t. I’m expected somewhere and I’m already running late.’
He did look very smart in a collarless, linen shirt and black jeans.
‘In that case,’ I said, jumping up, ‘let me give you this now, before I forget.’
I handed him the ten-pound note from my phone and tried not to stare at the collarbone and little bit of his chest that I could see where the shirt wasn’t done all the way up. He smelt wonderful too and I realised that, wherever he was headed, he’d made an effort to look his best.
‘Is it enough?’ I swallowed, secretly hoping he wasn’t going on a date, even though I knew I shouldn’t have cared.
‘Ample,’ he smiled. ‘Thanks.’
‘No, thank you,’ I smiled back, quickly returning to my seat and away from his seductive scent. ‘You really saved the day.’
‘Getting paid for services rendered now, are you, lad?’ John quipped and everyone laughed.
‘Something like that,’ he laughed back, meeting my eye for just the briefest moment. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘I better be off. See you all tomorrow.’
‘Bye,’ everyone called after him.
‘Don’t be late,’ Carole added.
‘I can’t wait to see him in an apron,’ giggled Lisa and I realised that he had signed up for the baking session too. ‘He’s going to cause quite a stir, isn’t he?’
‘The only thing he’ll be stirring is his pudding mix,’ tutted Carole disapprovingly. ‘Now, eat your chow mein. I want to get cleared up in here in a minute.’
I finished my last few mouthfuls of special fried rice and mulled over the session to come. If Finn and I were going to be ensconced in close proximity in a hot kitchen all day, then our freshly formed truce was most likely going to get pretty stirred up too!
Chapter 20
It was just as well that Carole’s cake and pudding session wasn’t reliant on the weather because the next day was nowhere near as sunny and bright as the Saturday had been. In fact, I couldn’t help thinking that the sky had that yellowy, grey kind