Falling for you

But Sara had been unstoppable on the phone when she’d rung to place the order, informing Maddy in no uncertain terms that the arrangements had already been made. Basically, Maddy hadn’t had the nerve to turn her down.

‘You’re delivering all that stuff to this one little shop?’ Next to her in the passenger seat, Kate was incredulous. ‘What, you mean the guy sells your food from here?’

It had been during last night’s darts match at the Angel that Kate had overheard Maddy telling someone that she drove into Bath before ten o’clock each morning. Kate had said eagerly, ‘So you could give me a lift, save me having to get a taxi? I’ve got some shopping I need to do tomorrow.’

And since they were now officially friends again, Maddy had felt compelled to say, ‘No problem, but I don’t know what time I’ll finish so you’ll have to find your own way back.’

Now, lugging the packed cool-box out of the car, she said, ‘This is for Kerr’s company, Callaghan and Fox.’ She nodded in the direction of Marlborough Hill. ‘They’re in Claremont House, up there on the left. I drop the order here, someone comes down later to pick it up, and I don’t run the risk of bumping into Kerr.’

It was pathetic, but even saying his name was painful.

‘Actually, here’s fine for me.’ Peering round, Kate unbuckled her seat belt. ‘I can cut through to Milsom Street from the end of that road down there. Thanks for the lift.’

‘No problem,’ said Maddy. ‘Have a good day.’

As she click-clacked her way down the narrow side street, Kate smiled to herself. With a bit of luck she might have a better day than she’d planned.

Five minutes later, when Maddy was safely out of sight, she returned to the little newsagents.

‘Hi, I’ve come to pick up the delivery for Callaghan and Fox.’

‘Blimey, you don’t waste much time, it’s only just arrived. Hang on, love, I’ll go and get it.’

Moments later the wiry, middle-aged newsagent handed the cool-box over to Kate. ‘Bit heavy, love. Sure you can manage?’

He was doing his best not to stare at the damaged side of her face. Flashing him a broad smile, Kate said reassuringly, ‘I’m fine.’

As he watched her leave — pretty girl, shame about the scars — Mike Jameson reflected happily that this was set to be the easiest twenty quid a week he’d earned in his life.

Marlborough Hill wasn’t for the faint-hearted. By the time she reached Claremont House, Kate was-pink- cheeked and panting like a porn star. Pausing at the entrance to get her breath back, she prayed that after all this effort Kerr wouldn’t be out.

Careful not to disturb her foundation, she blotted her face with a tissue. Coming home to Ashcombe had undoubtedly been a good move; against all expectations, the familiar village environment had done wonders for her self-esteem. Just a couple of months ago, she could never have envisaged herself working in a pub, serving customers, sometimes completely forgetting her scars for – well, maybe not hours, but certainly minutes at a time. The fact that people treated her normally and no longer cringed at the sight of her had boosted her confidence no end, proving that a life following physical disfigurement was possible. Crikey, just look at what she was preparing to do now! Six weeks ago this would have been out of the question. And yet here she was, acting completely on impulse, ready to reintroduce herself to Kerr McKinnon, upon whom she’d once had the most enormous crush.

Who knew what might happen, Kate thought giddily, fantasising already as she made her way up the broad staircase. She and Maddy had mended their differences. They were friends again now and she was truly glad about that. But there was absolutely no need to feel guilty also coming here today, because Kerr and Maddy were no longer together. And just because Maddy wasn’t allowed to be with him .. .

Well, it seemed a shame to let a good man go to waste.

‘Hi, can I help you?’ The plump receptionist’s gaze zoomed in on the cool-box as she spoke, her eyes lighting up, her glossy lips parting in delight. ‘Oh wow, is that ... ?’

‘I’m a friend of Maddy’s,’ Kate explained. ‘We dropped this off at the newsagents this morning but I thought I’d save someone the bother of coming to pick it up.’

‘You’re an angel. Aren’t they just the best sandwiches in the world? I tell you, I could have kicked Kerr when he broke up with Maddy – I mean, how could he? Typical bloody man – ooh, look!’ Rooting busily through the contents of the cool-box, the girl let out a yelp of recognition.

‘Here’s mine, rare beef and horseradish on rye. I’m never going to last until lunchtime. I just want to eat them now.’

The girl was either a first-rate receptionist, trained not to react with so much as a flicker of revulsion to the sight of a scarred face, or she was so utterly entranced by her sandwich that everything else faded into insignificance. Mentally bracing herself – she was here, this was it – Kate said,

‘Actually, is Kerr around?’

‘Oh, you know Kerr too! No problem, he’s in his office, I’ll just give him a buzz.’ As she reached for the intercom, the girl said excitedly, ‘Is that why you’re here? To give Kerr a damn good talking to for being silly enough to dump Maddy?’

‘Um, something like that. Don’t buzz him,’ said Kate, suddenly excited too. ‘Why don’t I give him a surprise?’

He called out ‘Come in’ when she knocked but didn’t immediately look up from the report on his desk. Kate, rather glad of the moment’s reprieve, took in the sight of him in his cranberry-red shirt, black trousers and polished black shoes. His dark hair flopped over his forehead, his bone structure was as stunning as she remembered, and—

‘Kate.’ Having glanced up and seen her in the doorway, Kerr put down the report he’d been studying. He rose to his feet. His gaze flickered for a split second as he took in the scars.

‘Hello, Kerr. Surprise.’ Her heart was pounding audibly, Kate was sure. She’d had such a crush on him when she was fifteen; did those feelings ever really go away? More to the point, was Kerr currently experiencing them too?