Coming Home to Crumbleton by Beth Rain

Author:Beth Rain [Rain, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 12

OLI

‘You need a hand there, Boss?’

Oli had just tried – and failed – to get through the doorway of the Dolphin and Anchor. He looked up to find Kendra, his Saturday girl, staring at him

‘Actually – yes please!’ he laughed, feeling like an idiot. ‘I’m… stuck!’

He really should have made two trips instead of opening the door with his butt while hefting a heavy picnic basket in one hand and trying to keep a jug full of a dozen yellow roses from slipping out of the other. He’d thought he’d just about got away with it when something caught on the door handle and he’d bounced backwards like he was attached to a bungee cord. The resulting crash had made every single person in the bar turn towards him – local and tourist alike.

‘Here!’ said Kendra, dashing towards him and taking the roses before they ended up on the floor.

‘Cheers!’ he said, squirming on the spot. ‘Erm… I think I’m attached to the door!’

Kendra placed the roses on the nearest table and then quickly got to work on unhooking his jumper from the handle. He had to hand it to her – she was just about managing to keep a straight face – no mean feat for the fun-loving eighteen-year-old. He had a feeling she wouldn’t let him live this down any time soon, though. He was already dreading the weekend!

Kendra worked at the bookshop every Saturday - but Oli wasn’t the only person in Crumbleton she called “Boss”. Her easy-going nature and willingness to help meant that she was in high demand and had about four different jobs. She was a hard worker, reliable and ridiculously popular - with the local businesses and their customers alike.

‘Thanks!’ said Oli as soon as she’d managed to free him from the door. His face was hot and he did his best not to meet Kendra’s eye. She was busy making a valiant attempt not to giggle. ‘Erm – would you mind bringing the flowers over to the table? I’m not sure I trust myself not to cause more havoc!’

‘Sure,’ said Kendra, with a grin. ‘Brilliant entrance there, by the way… very smooth!’

‘Oh hush!’ muttered Oli, returning her smile.

Kendra grabbed the jug of flowers and gave them a deep sniff. ‘Blimey boss – these are proper fancy. You didn’t have to, you know!’

‘Not for you,’ he chuckled.

Why did Oli suddenly get the feeling he was going to regret his choice of venue? Asking Ruby to meet him at the Dolphin and Anchor was never going to afford them any privacy - but he’d hoped it might help her feel a bit more comfortable than inviting her back to his little flat above the shop. What he hadn’t banked on was Kendra being behind the bar.

The girl in question was now ushering him past a line of locals nursing their pints at the bar, towards a little table set for two. Oli breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it was in a relatively quiet corner, underneath the dartboard.

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