Christmas at the Dog & Duck by Jill Steeples

Author:Jill Steeples [Steeples, Jill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786691781
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Published: 2016-08-22T04:00:00+00:00

Nineteen

‘Max!’

‘Uh-oh.’ Kirk’s head rolled on his neck, he narrowed his eyes and looked up at Max, and then at me, his face a picture of confusion. ‘Is this your boyfriend then, Heidi?’

‘What? No.’ I turned to Max, hoping he was about to explain exactly what he thought he was doing, because I had no idea whatsoever. Why was he wading into something that had absolutely nothing to do with him? ‘What’s the problem, Max?’ I said sharply.

‘This guy. He’s the problem. He’s been hounding you all night.’ He towered over Kirk and I had the impression if he even so much as blew on Kirk then my drunken friend would probably topple over in front of me. Instead, Max said, ‘Just leave the girl alone. Can’t you tell she’s not interested?’

Kirk’s brow furrowed and his bottom lip jutted out. ‘Sorry, Heidi, have I been a pain. I’m sorry.’ He scratched his head. ‘I… well, I’m sorry if I’ve been out of order.’

‘No, it’s fine,’ I said, glaring at Max.

Buoyed by my support, Kirk rallied and addressed Max directly. ‘If you’re not her boyfriend then, who are you? Do you own the place or something?’

‘No.’ I jumped in, realizing this situation could quickly get out of hand if I didn’t put a stop to it fast. ‘Max is a customer. He was probably just looking out for me, but there was no need. You haven’t been a pain at all. It’s been lovely meeting you.’

Crikey, compared to some of the customers we had through the doors, Kirk was a sweetheart. Definitely the worse for wear, yes, a bit cheeky too, but harmless enough. He’d just been enjoying himself. Where was the harm in that? There’d been no need for Max to be so heavy-handed with him.

‘You’re all right, you are, Heidi,’ said Kirk, marginally appeased. ‘You,’ he said, stabbing a finger at Max’s chest, ‘need to learn some manners. And you’d better watch out because she’s got a boyfriend. A big geezer by all accounts. He won’t be best pleased to hear you’ve been ordering her about.’

I bit on my lip to stop a smile from spreading across my face. I liked the way my imaginary boyfriend was growing in stature by the minute. I half expected him to waltz through the door and come to my rescue any moment now.

Max’s eyebrows lifted, his pupils growing large, as he looked at me as though asking for an explanation.

‘And another thing…’ Kirk had found his voice and was intent on giving Max the benefit of his advice. ‘If she ever breaks up with the big geezer boyfriend, she’s going out with me for a drink, so you, matey boy, can do a hike.’

‘Right, come on Kirk, the minibus is about to leave,’ I said, bundling him out through the front door, anxious to avoid any further confrontation. The cool night air was a welcome distraction from the intense and heady atmosphere inside the pub and I took a moment to gather myself. ‘Don’t worry about that guy back there,’ I told Kirk.

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