The Promise of Summer, Part 3 by Bella Osborne

Author:Bella Osborne [Osborne, Bella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2021-05-27T12:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ruby decided to treat Curtis to one of her mum’s ‘free days out’. They’d driven into the Peak District, parked up and taken a country walk she’d done many times before. Soft undulating hills criss-crossed with ancient drystone walls and a sprinkling of sheep. She loved a picnic and they’d dined on sausage rolls, Pringles and Dairylea triangles with Curly Wurly bars for dessert. They were sitting on her mum’s checked picnic blanket at the top of a hill. Ruby looked out towards Stanage Edge, while Curtis scrolled through a spreadsheet he’d made earlier.

‘Question seven,’ he said. ‘At what point would a relationship be confirmed?’ He looked up. ‘Basically, I want to know when I’ve achieved my goal.’

‘Interesting. I think an offer of sex from her would be a clear indicator.’

Curtis speed typed the answer into his spreadsheet. ‘Question eight and the last one for now.’ Ruby openly sighed with relief. ‘An internet search suggested we should have pet names for each other.’ Ruby snorted but Curtis continued. ‘It recommended a shortening of their first name. Do you think I should go with Cord or Delia?’

‘Does that make you Curt by name and by nature?’ Ruby grinned but Curtis was serious, so she tried to chase the grin away with a frown. ‘Well, Curt, let’s see … Cord makes me think of old men’s trousers and Delia is a celebrity chef who shouts at football matches.’

‘I might have to rethink that one.’ He tapped away on his keyboard.

‘I don’t think this is working,’ said Ruby, trying to get a signal by waving her mobile about.

‘The spreadsheet or the phone?’

‘Both.’

‘You won’t get any reception up here,’ said Curtis.

She put down her phone and sipped her Coke. ‘I was going to check if Lewis had been in touch.’

Curtis turned his body towards her. ‘Explain.’

‘Don’t get your hopes up. I tweeted about Lewis and the engagement ring and asked people to retweet it. I’m hoping we can find him through social media.’ She jiggled her bottom across the rug towards Curtis and showed him her phone screen. ‘If it was working, it would show me how many people have shared the tweet and liked it. That all helps more people to see it.’

‘Can you target an area or people by age group?’ he asked.

‘No, it’s not that sophisticated. It’s just people who follow me or look up the hashtag.’ Now she thought about it the chances of finding him were pretty slim. ‘I wish I’d taken a photo of Lewis. That would have been easier; I have a much bigger reach on Insta.’ Curtis chuckled. ‘What?’ she asked.

‘That wouldn’t have been odd at all. Taking a photograph of a stranger you’d just met on the train.’

‘True.’ He had a point.

‘I’ve never subscribed to social media. It looks like a thorough waste of time.’

‘I thought you were the techy king,’ she said with a smirk.

‘Only serious technology.’

Ruby gave a mock gasp and held her palm to her chest like she’d been shot. ‘I’m wounded.

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