The Little Book Café

‘I bet he won’t.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘He does like to keep tabs on you, doesn’t he?’

Tash thought about defending him and decided she didn’t have the energy. ‘You’re right. He does. But it’s only because he cares so much.’

‘Hmph.’ Emma went into the kitchen and clicked on the kettle. ‘You’ve got to have space though, Tash.’

‘Like you and Ollie, you mean?’

Emma poked her head around the door. ‘Oi. Nothing wrong with my relationship, thank you.’

Tash hadn’t had enough sleep for an argument. ‘Nothing that Aidan Turner wouldn’t solve.’

Emma grinned. ‘Think that man would solve anything.’ She disappeared. ‘But only dressed as Ross Poldark.’ She returned with a packet of crisps. ‘Breakfast?’ She offered Tash one.

Tash shuddered. ‘How can you eat cheese and onion at this hour?’ As the phone began to ring, she added, ‘And don’t give any to Benji!’ She picked up the receiver. ‘Oh, hello Ade. Yes, of course I got to work alright. Why?’

Emma rolled her eyes and crunched her way through the crisps while waiting for Tash to finish on the phone. Making faces at Benji, she slipped him the tiniest morsel. When Tash put the receiver down, she exclaimed, ‘I can’t believe he rang you. You’ve only just left the house!’

‘Accident on the A35. He wanted to check I was okay.’

‘You don’t even come that way.’

‘Oh. Yes. Hadn’t thought about that.’

‘Tash, are you alright? Have you got over that bug? You just don’t seem yourself. Haven’t for ages.’

‘I’m perfectly fine,’ Tash said repressively. ‘It’s just lack of sleep.’

‘Okay,’ Emma said, not sounding convinced. ‘Well,’ she went on more cheerfully. ‘This should buck you up. The Morrisons called and, guess what, we’ve got their business. They definitely want us to market their bungalow.’

‘Oh Em, that’s fantastic news. Well done.’

‘I’ll ring Biddy to say it’s definitely on the market, if she’s interested, and I’ll chase up the brochure and make sure the pic gets pole position in the window. I’m going over this afternoon. I promised to give them some staging advice.’

Tash thought of the cluttered bungalow with its floral wallpaper and mis-matched carpets and, despite her tiredness, giggled. ‘Good luck with that then.’

Emma laughed too. ‘Yeah. Not sure how I’m going to get them to de-clutter that collection of Beswick figurines but I’ll give it my best shot. You going to the book club next week?’

‘Is it next week? That’s come round quickly. I haven’t even read the book yet.’

‘I wouldn’t worry about that. I bumped into Millie on Friday and she said the same. Said I’d email her the SparkNotes. You want them too?’

Tash nodded gratefully. ‘Brill. Yes please.’ Then a thought struck. She’d have to face Kit. And she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

Chapter 24 (#ulink_46d1428d-c3cc-5649-86b9-2fcc6b3bb56b)

Despite Tash’s worries about leaving Benji on his own for the evening, Adrian insisted he take her out.

‘Look, the house is detached,’ he grumbled. ‘He won’t disturb the neighbours.’

‘I’m not worried about him barking, I’m more worried about him being on his own. Mum doesn’t leave him. And what if he trashes the utility room?’

Adrian’s eyes narrowed. Tash could tell he was on the edge of losing his temper. ‘Natasha,’ he began. ‘Is it too much to ask to have an evening with you without that fleabag hanging around?’

Tash thought it through. If she made a fuss over this, he might be difficult about her going to the book group next week. Despite everything she was desperate to go. Benji couldn’t do all that much damage to a room full of white goods, could he? And she’d make sure he had all his favourite toys with him and leave the radio on. ‘Oh, alright then.’

‘You could sound a little more enthusiastic. I have a very special night planned.’

‘I’m sorry, Adrian.’ Tash forced a smile. ‘I’m tired. Busy day at the office.’

‘And yet, you still insist on working.’ Adrian compressed his lips. It made him look slightly sinister.

‘Let’s not go over that again, Ade.’ Everything was a battle between them at the moment. Her heart sank at the thought of one of Ade’s ‘Very Special Nights.’ It usually involved something extra-energetic after dinner. She was finding she shared Adrian’s sexual tastes less and less these days. Giving herself a shake, she scolded herself silently. For goodness’ sake, the man was offering to take her out, spoil her and she was being a real misery. ‘I’ll go and get ready then, shall I?’

Adrian’s eyes gleamed. ‘Put something sexy on, darling.’

‘Will do.’ Tash ran upstairs wondering what her problem was. A few months ago she would have jumped at the chance to be taken somewhere nice by Adrian. Now she longed for a night on the sofa in front of some brainless telly, cuddling the dog. ‘Must be getting old,’ she muttered to herself as she opened the wardrobe door. ‘Little black dress and heels it is then.’ It was the option that involved the least thought.

Adrian took her to Samphyre in Exeter. He loved seafood but, despite being brought up by the sea, Tash could take it or leave it. As they got out of the Porsche, she rebelled and wondered why he hadn’t bothered to ask her where she would have liked to go – she was dying to try the new Italian that had just opened – but she damped down on the thought as unworthy. Adrian tried so hard to please her sometimes. She smiled at him as he opened the restaurant door for her. ‘Lovely,’ she said brightly.

As they were led to their table she thought Adrian seemed nervous. There was a tic going in his cheek and he made a huge fuss about insisting they had the best table available. Everyone stared at them during his loud conversation with the maitre d’ and Tash got embarrassed. ‘Let’s just sit down, shall we, Ade?’ she hissed. Eventually they were settled, with snowy white napkins spread on their laps. A bottle of champagne in an ice bucket arrived. Adrian did his usual performance of tasting the wine and, after two glasses were poured, it was placed on an elaborate stand next to the table. Tash was beginning to sense this was something more than just a nice meal out and became uneasy.

‘Champagne midweek is a bit extravagant, isn’t it?’ she asked.

‘Not for tonight,’ he beamed. ‘I want to make it as special as possible.’

The evening continued uneventfully. The food was exquisite, the wine flowed and Tash found herself relaxing. Life with Adrian was good, she decided. She stopped glancing at her watch and worrying about Benji.

After their mains had been served, Adrian had had a furtive conversation with the waiter. Tash hadn’t given it much thought at the time but now, as she saw a huge ice-cream sundae coming her way, with a sparkler fizzing on top, she knew. ‘Oh Adrian,’ she whispered. ‘Please say you’re not about to—’

The sundae was placed in front of her. The waiter melted away tactfully and Adrian said, ‘Look at the sparkler darling. It’s a very special one. In fact, it hides another sparkler but of a different kind.’

Tash looked. Hanging off the sparkler, which had now fizzled out, was a diamond solitaire. The biggest diamond solitaire she’d ever seen.

‘Natasha Taylor,’ Adrian said and then slid off his chair and went down on one knee. Tash was aware of every other diner watching them avidly. ‘Will you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?’

A ripple of a sigh went through the restaurant and someone began to clap. Someone else joined in and soon the whole room was filled with cheers and applause.

Tash looked about her, stricken. The delicious food she’d just eaten threatened to return. ‘I—’ she began.

‘That’s a yes folks,’ Adrian yelled. He jumped up, took the ring off the sparkler and slid it on Tash’s finger. He kissed her hard on the lips, his fingers biting into her shoulders as he clutched them. More cheers and applause resounded and a fresh bottle of champagne arrived.

Tash was dazed. How could she tell him in front of everyone? How could she say every nerve in her being rebelled against the idea of being married to him? He’d gone to so much trouble but hadn’t even waited for an answer. Just steamrolled her into submission. As usual. A wave of hot anger flooded her. How dare he put her in this impossible position? She picked up her champagne flute and drained it in one.

‘Happy darling?’ Adrian reached over and caressed her hand. ‘I am. You’ve made me the happiest man in the world.’ When she didn’t answer, he added, ‘Don’t want your pudding? What a shame. Toffee ice-cream sundae is your favourite. Too emotional to eat, hey?’ He chuckled and pulled the dish over. ‘Waste not, want not then. This evening has cost me a pretty packet. Not to mention the bling. Do you like it? Three carats,’ he boasted. ‘Only the best for my fiancée.’