The Complete Trilogy by Michael Campling

Author:Michael Campling [Campling, Mikey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadowstone Books
Published: 2019-02-09T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

2018

CALLY SIGHED and scanned the crowded tea shop for any sign of an empty table. She gave Andrew an apologetic smile. She’d known the place would be busy, but this was ridiculous. Still, Andrew seemed happy to stand quietly and look around the room, a faint smile on his lips. He’s patient, Cally thought. That’s nice. Then suddenly, he wasn’t by her side, but moving across the room, squeezing his way through the narrow gaps between the tables.

Andrew stopped next to a table near the window, where a woman was trying to organise her two young children while simultaneously gathering up their discarded jumpers and waterproof coats.

“Excuse me,” Andrew said. “I’m sorry to bother you.” He bent down and scooped up something from the floor. A flash of annoyance crossed the woman’s face. She was getting to the end of her tether, but her frown melted into a grateful smile as Andrew stood up and she saw what he was holding.

“I think you dropped this,” Andrew said. He held out a piece of paper that was thoroughly covered with a mass of bright colours.

“Oh, thank you,” the woman said. “We’ve have been looking for that for ages.”

“No problem,” Andrew said. “We can’t have such fine artworks on the floor.” Andrew offered the paper to the children. “Now, who’s the great artist?”

The woman beamed. “Go on, Helen—say thank you to the gentleman.”

“Thank you,” the girl said. She grinned, but she was too shy to reach out and accept the drawing.

“You’re welcome,” Andrew said. “I’ll just put it here for now.” He found a space for the drawing on the cluttered table. “I’d better get back to my friend.” He nodded toward Cally, then made as if to walk away.

“Oh, haven’t you got a table?” the woman asked.

“No such luck,” Andrew said. “I think we might have to try somewhere else.”

“Well, we’re just leaving. Please, have this table. We won’t be a minute.”

Andrew smiled. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”

The woman bundled the assortment of jumpers and coats under her arm and picked up her handbag. “Come on,” she said to the children. “We’ll sort these out later. Don’t forget your drawings.”

The children dutifully stood up and Andrew waved Cally over.

Cally picked her way across the room, trying not to smile too widely. So, he’s charming and polite, he behaves like a gentleman and he’s good with children. Was there nothing wrong with this man? She couldn’t think of a single thing. She bit her bottom lip. This was all going very well. It felt like the start of something. Something good.

Andrew stood aside as the woman herded her children toward the door. She gave him a little smile as she left and Andrew nodded in acknowledgement. He turned to Cally. “This table OK for you?” he asked.

“Yes,” Cally said. “Perfect.”

Andrew put his rucksack on the floor and they sat down. He picked up the menu and passed it to Cally. “You choose. My treat.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Cally said.

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