Will You Read online

  As I stand, I look him the eye and say with practised disinterest, “Ok, you can have your say tomorrow but I’m warning you, if I don’t like what I hear, we are officially enemies.”

  He nods, looking slightly guilty. “I’ll look forward to it and thanks for giving me the chance.”

  I don’t say another word and just get in the car and leave him standing on the side of the road as I drive home.

  Well, if anything, tomorrow will be interesting.

  5

  The next day drags interminably. The clock couldn’t go any slower and I find myself glancing in the spy mirror I’ve set up many times throughout the day. The only distraction is when Ken drops in for a chat. As the door chimes, I look up and stifle a smile as I see him filling the doorway wearing a Hawaiian shirt holding a tray of six eggs. “Morning Nelly, I brought you some eggs from Patty’s farm.”

  Patty is his long-suffering girlfriend. I say girl, more like a woman and they have been dating for twenty years. He insists on them living in different houses because he says the farm she owns stinks to high heaven and the cows annoy him with their constant mooing. She won’t leave her babies, as she calls the cows, for living in the town and turning her back on nature. As a result, they meet up twice a week at her house and twice at his. The rest of the time they either go to friends or indulge in their hobbies. Ken is currently into pottery and made me a wonky jug for my birthday.

  Smiling, I beckon him inside. “Hey, Ken, how is the gorgeous Patty?”

  He shrugs. “Last I saw of her she had her hand up a cow’s backside. Hardly the stuff of erotic fantasies.”

  Laughing, I offer him his favourite chocolate from the chiller cabinet.

  He nods over to More than Chocolate. “What’s going on there?”

  I stare at him gloomily. “A rival has moved into town and I’m not sure what to do about it.”

  He raises his eyes. “Do you want me to threaten him?”

  Laughing, I say, “With what, you’re hardly the godfather, Ken?”

  He winks. “How do you know? Anyway, I would just be protecting my investment.”

  “It’s fine. We’re meeting up later to discuss things, hopefully, it won’t be so bad.”

  He sits on the floor cross-legged and rather than think it strange; I take a moment to marvel at his flexibility before joining him.

  We stare across the road and Ken sighs. “Why is life so difficult?”

  I look at him in surprise. “What’s so difficult about your life?”

  He shakes his head and looks a little sad. “Patty’s sister’s husbands just left her. Fifty years of marriage down the drain. Apparently, she came home one day and found him in bed with their neighbour Madge Arnold. It wasn’t the first time by the sounds of it and now he’s moved in with Madge.”

  I stare at him in horror. “That’s terrible, poor Sandra.”

  He nods gloomily. “Poor Patty you mean. Sandra wants to come and stay and knowing her she’ll never leave. She’s always been difficult and Patty can’t stand her. The trouble is, blood counts for a lot and she can’t say no. Patty can’t leave her on her own to come and stay with me, so it looks like I’ll be spending more time there. It’s an impossible situation.”

  I smile sympathetically. “At least you have someone, I don’t. Maybe in life, some of us never find that special someone. Maybe love passes us by and we have to watch others enjoying what will never be ours and just congratulate ourselves on a tidy home and a selfish life. It’s good to be able to call the shots and not consider anyone’s feelings. I don’t have to wash anyone else’s clothes or listen to their boring chat when all I want to do is watch reality TV. My bed is my own and the toilet seat is always neatly down. My life is orderly and just how I want it but it’s still missing a vital ingredient that makes life worth living. Someone to share it with. If I were in your shoes, I’d be grateful for every minute you spend with Patty because as Sandra is about to find out, it’s lonely living on your own and loneliness is too high a price to pay for a selfish life.”

  Reaching out, Ken squeezes my hand and says softly, “You’re young and won’t be lonely for long. You have youth on your side and think you’ll live forever. One day everything will make sense and it’s up to you to seize that moment when it comes. Maybe Patty and I should have married all those years ago, maybe we still will. Will it make a difference to our lives? Probably not for the better. Just remember to throw caution to the wind sometimes and take a chance on madness. There is no rule book when it comes to relationships other than to cherish them when you find the real deal. Whatever happens with Patty, I will always value that above everything.”

  Smiling, I look across the road. “Well, life is certainly strange at the moment. I’ll keep you posted on developments when they happen.”

  He looks around the shop and says sadly, “How’s trade?”

  Shrugging, I smile bravely. “It’s getting there. We had a good Valentine’s day and Easter is around the corner. I could do without the competition but if anything, it may make me pull my socks up and think of a few ways to pull extra business in. This could be the making of Chocolatti, after all, a bit of healthy competition never hurt anyone.”

  Ken stands and pulls me up. “Do you fancy a cuppa?”

  I nod. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  He heads upstairs to make me the desired cup of tea and I think about what he said. Maybe I should listen to what Jack has to say and not react immediately. Who knows, it may even just add a little excitement to my life.

  6

  By the time I finish cashing up on another underwhelming day, Jack is waiting for me outside. Seeing him standing there takes me back to those damn fantasies again where he was my boyfriend and I was the envy of every girl in school. Funny how life works out. I never thought in a million years I would ever see him again, let alone be going on a… whatever this is.

  He looks up and smiles and I feel my heart flutter. He always was impressive and the years have been good to him. He has matured like a vintage piece of exotic cheese, a fine wine and a valuable piece of art. Smiling to myself at the thought, I’m surprised when he laughs and raises his eyes, “What’s so funny?

  I shrug.

  “I was just thinking you look a little… um… cheesy standing there.”

  I giggle at his surprised expression, and he smiles sweetly. “You know, Nelly, you surprise me every day. When I saw you again, that was the first surprise. You’ve changed a lot since school.”

  I look at him with curiosity. “In what way?’

  “I don’t know, you have a confidence that wasn’t there before. You really showed it to me when you felt challenged and well, I kind of like the new you.”

  Shrugging, I try not to let it show how happy his words make me. “So what, people change. They grow up and mature, you know, like a fine cheese.”

  I giggle again at his confused expression and then he laughs. I stop and listen to that laugh because it changes everything. Jack Mason has never looked more desirable than at this moment. Gone is the cocky, self-assured, football demigod from school. In his place is a guy at ease with himself. He looks comfortable with who he is, maybe that’s what comes with always getting everything you want in life - a certain confidence that infects those around you.

  His eyes soften and he says gently, “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “For not seeing you before.”

  My face must look completely baffled because he looks at me apologetically.

  “I never saw you as a person at school. You were just that girl at school. The one who sat at the front and the perfect student. I never gave you a second glance because there was nothing I thought I wanted to look at. I was blinded by the obvious and never saw the amazing. I just want you to know that, Nelly because I’m guessing it’s something you haven’t heard before.

  I stare at him in complete shock and then look around to see if he’s talking to somebody else. He
has completely stolen every rational thought and smart word and stripped away every ounce of fight left in me with just a few words. Man, he’s good, I’ve to hand him that at least.

  Quickly, I drag myself back to reality and say firmly, “Well, enough of the small talk. What’s happening here?”

  He grins and nods towards a sports car parked nearby. “I would like to take you to dinner and discuss our future.”

  We start to walk and I say icily, “We don’t have a future all the time you insist on selling chocolate in your fancy new shop.”

  He opens the passenger door like a true gentleman and says in a whisper that melts every inch of resolve in me, “I hope that by the end of the evening you will see things differently. We do have a future, Nelly and you are the one holding it in your hands like a delicate flower. If you crush it and throw it aside, the beauty will be gone forever. Nurture it and allow it to flourish and you will see how breath-taking it can be.”

  He winks as he closes the door firmly, leaving me wondering if he’s had one too many bumps to the head on that football field. Who talks like that these days? Certainly not the popular, cool boy, from the football team from my past. He’s up to something and I need to keep my wits about me because I may be desperate for any little piece of male attention but I’m no fool and I won’t be treated like one.

  The drive to wherever we’re going is a silent one, if you don’t count the soft rock ballads he plays in the car. Songs of eternal love and finding your soul mate were probably selected to get me in the mood to agree to whatever he wants. I’m not stupid. This man wants something from me and I’m not prepared to play the gullible fool who will make it easy for him.

  We pull up outside a fine restaurant in the larger town nearby. I could never afford to eat here, certainly not on the meagre wages I pay myself and I feel a little uncomfortable. What if he wants to share the bill? My card would bounce quicker than the ball that obviously bounced off his head and my mortification would be complete.

  As if sensing my predicament, he says brightly, “I hope you’re hungry. This is my treat tonight; I insist before you start protesting and expecting to pay your own way.”

  I shrug, disguising the relief and say airily, “If you insist, although I expect you to get the receipt and offset it against expenses. That’s the only way I’ll agree if it’s classed as a business meeting.”

  Grinning, he nods. “Of course. A business meeting. If that’s how you want to play it that’s fine by me.”

  Feeling a little more confident now I can face this as a business meeting, I follow him inside the posh restaurant.

  All around us is pure wealth. Classical music plays and the décor shrieks opulence with pristine white tablecloths covering small tables, holding silver cutlery and crystal cut glasses. Mirrors line the walls and various ornamental plants hug corners creating privacy for those tables that require a more discreet dining experience. As it’s early, there aren’t many occupied tables and I’m surprised when the waiter directs us to one of those intimate tables hidden from public view.

  Jack smiles as the waiter pulls the chair out for me and takes his seat opposite. I am so out of my comfort zone here and he knows it. What’s he playing at?

  Jack orders us a bottle of wine and I’m glad of it. I wouldn’t know what to ask for because I’m just usually guided by price and choose the cheapest one on offer. This would be no exception, so for once, I’m happy to leave it to him, after all, this is his party, and he’s footing the bill.

  Then we’re alone and he stares at me with a hint of uncertainty in his eyes that makes me more confused than ever. Whatever this is, he’s worried. He wants something and I’m not stupid enough to think that he has fallen completely in love with me after just one look. This must be about my business. Maybe he wants me to close down and pave the way for his own success. Maybe he’s here to charm me into agreeing to his every demand to guarantee his future.

  The waiter returns and fills our glasses which I’m grateful for. I think a good, deep, glug of alcohol is fast needed because I may not like what I’m about to hear.

  I feel so jittery I almost can’t see the menu and it’s not because I forgot my reading glasses. In the end, I opt for the only thing I can see, salmon en-croute. Jack smiles and says charmingly, “That sounds delicious, make that two.”

  Briefly, I wonder if he needs glasses too. Feeling a little amused at the thought, I take another slug of wine and face him with my new friend confidence sitting right beside me in the wine glass.

  “Well, Jack, this is very nice and all but I think you have some explaining to do, don’t you?”

  He has the grace to look a little embarrassed and says in a low voice. “Yes, I believe I owe you an explanation. I’m sorry about my outburst yesterday but I want you to know I meant every word. I do want you to be my girlfriend.”

  I almost spit my wine across the table as I say weakly, “But why?”

  He shakes his head. “Please don’t hate me for what I’m about to say but I think you’re possibly the only girl I know who can help me here.”

  He smiles apologetically. “You see, my life has just spiralled into a crazy vortex that I never saw coming. I have an old aunt Alice, who is, shall we say, quite a character. Well, she’s made this will, you know, a sort of living will and wants to see it carried out to the letter.”

  I gasp in shock and say sympathetically, “The poor woman. I’m so sorry, Jack. Does it involve some sort of euthanasia or a visit to Dignitas because I’m sorry if you’re asking me to put your aunt out of her misery, all the fine dining in the world won’t make me agree to that.”

  Jack starts laughing and I look at him in shock. “What’s so funny, death is nothing to laugh at you know?”

  He shakes his head and grins. “She’s not dying, Nelly. Well, at least I don’t think she is. In fact, she will probably outlive us all.”

  The confusion must show on my face because he says gently. “I’ll explain, but it’s a little strange. Aunt Alice has made this living will which means if we, that is the family, carry out her wishes, she will transfer us our inheritance while she’s still alive. She told us her one wish was to see us using her money and getting the benefit of it but we had to prove we were worthy of it first.”

  I look at him in complete confusion. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand. What has any of that got to do with me?”

  He looks at me with a strange look and seems quite vulnerable and a little worried. Clearing his throat, he says tentatively, “She has set each member of the family individual tasks that they must accomplish by the end of the year. If we can prove to her, we have carried her wishes out to the letter, she will transfer our share of the inheritance.”

  Despite the strangeness of the conversation, I am riveted. “Wow, this sounds like something out of a film, what do you have to do?”

  He looks slightly embarrassed. “Well, Aunt Alice is growing tired of my playboy lifestyle, as she calls it. She, in no uncertain terms, told me I had to grow up and take responsibility for my life. I had to open a business from scratch and make it work. If I could show that I had put everything into it to make it a success she would honour her end of the deal.”

  Tightening my lips, I stare at him and say coolly, “I thought as much. You’re here to decimate the competition. Pave the way for your own success by forcing the closure of the only other shop in town. Now I know why you opened up opposite me. It was always your plan to drive me out but uh no buddy, you chose to mess with the wrong girl.”

  To his credit, Jack looks surprised and shakes his head vigorously. “No, I promise that isn’t the reason. The shop was never my choice, anyway. Do you really think if I had a choice, I would open a girly gift shop and coffee shop? No, if I had my way, I would have opened a sports shop or bicycle shop. Something a lot more manly than More than Chocolate.”

  Shaking myself, I say with exasperation. “Oh, for goodness’ sake, Jack, you’re talking in riddles. I�
�m no further forward to finding out why you want me to be your girlfriend. Is it so you can charm me into closing my shop in favour of yours? If so, it’s a ridiculous idea and will fail immediately.”

  He looks shocked. “Is that’s what you think, that I want to drive you out of business?”

  I shrug and spin the wine glass around in my hands as I try to look unconcerned and like a hard-nosed businesswoman. Difficult when just the sight of those panty melting eyes is doing things to me that I only wrote about in my secret diary. Feeling uncomfortable, I try to remember where that is, actually. Goodness, if Jack, or anyone else come to mention it, ever found that ticking time bomb, I would close down my shop myself as fast as possible and emigrate to Australia, actually no, New Zealand and live in the wild bush where nobody could taunt me with it.

  Jack shakes his head and says softly, “The business is only one part of my task. The reason I chose More than Chocolate was because it was always Aunt Alice’s dream. She often spoke about the one regret in her life which was not opening her own little shop selling beautiful gifts. The coffee part was my idea because, as we all know, these days people always have time and money to spend on a coffee. I just thought it made good business sense.”

  Admonishing myself for not thinking of it first, I shrug and say in a cold voice, “and the chocolate, what’s the story there?”

  He smiles guiltily. “I never thought, if I’m honest. I just decided on the name and then thought I should offer some chocolate. It was never about putting you out of business or even competing with you in any way.”

  Part of me wants to believe him but I still can’t let it go. “So, why opposite me then? You must have known I’d be upset.”

  Reaching across the table, he takes my hand and squeezes it reassuringly. I know I should pull away but it feels kind of nice being there and instead, I look at my hand in his and just think how small mine is in comparison. Jack’s hand is tanned and capable and feels strong and comforting.