It seems I’ve inadvertently arrived on locals’ night. There are at least fifty people here, unlike when Adam and I were last here and there were maybe two or three people at the bar. There are specials on the chalkboard, half-price drinks, and I’m fairly sure I recognise most of the faces from my walks about town.
I order a glass of white wine and stand by the fireplace, warming my hands over the flames. It really is a lovely old pub – or what counts for old in this country. Roughly cut stone walls, polished wooden counter tops, a fireplace taking up almost an entire wall. I smile as the wine starts to take effect, pleased I took Adam’s advice to come. Beats sitting alone in that draughty old house.
A woman is standing by the window, looking out into the darkness. She stands out not only because of her petite stature and pale gold hair but for the simple fact that she’s one of the very few women here. Then a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark skin and hair appears at her side holding a beer and a glass of red wine. She turns and gives him a small smile and I realise who they are – Erica and Samir.
I’m about to raise my hand to wave before catching myself. How ridiculous! Just because I’ve got nothing better to do than spy on my neighbours doesn’t mean they’ve been doing the same. I shake my head at my own stupidity and head to the bar for another drink. It’s a funny sort of feeling, seeing people in the flesh you’ve only watched from a distance. Almost like spotting a celebrity in the wild. I wonder whether the young man from the house on the left will come too, whether Dee will be here with Rob and their baby.
As if on cue, a woman with long red hair bustles through the door with a baby on her hip, bringing with her a gust of icy wind. I recognise her immediately, but she is so much more striking close-up. Her deep, dark auburn hair, while a bit wild and unruly, gleams in the low light, her vivid dress hugs her generous curves and contrasts sharply with her pale, almost translucent skin. She smiles at someone behind me, revealing straight, ever so slightly too large, white teeth.
Dee spots Erica and Samir and makes her way over to their table, bending to kiss Erica on the cheek and then handing her the baby.
I frown, thinking of the row I witnessed between them yesterday. Has it all been forgiven and forgotten then? As soon as the baby is in Erica’s arms, Dee turns and strides towards the bar until she is standing right beside me, so close I can detect the scent of perfume; it’s sharp and citrusy.
The barman appears in an instant, all smiles, filling a wine glass almost to the brim with white wine when Dee asks for ‘the usual’.
The breath I hadn’t realised I was holding comes out in a rush. I must make a sound because Dee turns towards me, and all of a sudden that dazzling smile is directed at me.
‘Bless you,’ she says, and I don’t correct her. Instead, I smile back and tell the barman, ‘I’ll have the same, thank you.’
‘Good choice,’ Dee nods in approval, taking a sip from her glass. There’s only the faintest hint of blue beneath her eye now; she must have covered the bruise with make-up. ‘It’s the only thing I’ll drink in this place. They mainly cater for the beer drinkers around here.’ She rolls her eyes.
‘Thanks for the tip. The one I was drinking earlier wasn’t particularly nice.’
‘What did you have?’
‘Erm … the sauvignon blanc?’
Dee makes a face. ‘Ugh. No, that one’s no good. This one’s the pinot grigio. Notice the use of the word the. As in they only serve one of each type here. Ha!’
Not knowing how to respond, I smile and take a sip of my own wine. My cheeks have grown warm and my pulse has quickened. Am I nervous? Embarrassed? I’ve been watching this woman without her knowledge, have witnessed vulnerable moments when she thought she was alone, when until now we hadn’t exchanged a single word.
‘You’re not local, are you?’ Dee squints at me, not bothering to hide her curiosity. ‘I’d have noticed you if you were. Not many young women in this town.’ She guffaws. ‘Not many women, period!’
‘I’m not local, no. We’re just passing through.’
‘Right. So is that a British accent?’
I can’t help but smile at her directness. Distinctly un-British. ‘You got it in one.’
Unable to help being nosy, and with Dee seeming so open, I nod in Erica’s direction and ask, ‘Is your friend okay? She looks a bit upset.’ I refrain from mentioning that I’ve seen her crying through the window on one occasion, and raging at Dee on another. There is definitely something a little odd about Erica.
Dee follows my gaze and gives a little shrug. ‘Yeah, she’s as fine as she can be, I guess. She’s just like that – a bit up and down. I guess you could say she’s been a bit … unwell lately. Which is understandable. She’s been through a lot.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.’
Across the room the baby starts wailing and Dee groans. She catches my eye and rolls hers as she tips back the last of her wine and gestures for another. ‘Sorry, I’d better go see to her. My Ruby’s due a feed.’ She shrugs apologetically and takes her new drink with her. ‘Nice meeting you.’
‘Yes, you too.’ I smile and wave as she leaves. It’s a shame, I think, to have the conversation end when it was just beginning. I’m about to order a glass of mineral water when a pair of arms slide around my waist and a warm, wet kiss greets my neck.
‘Do you come here often?’ Adam whispers in my ear before he appears beside me, grinning.
I roll my eyes and slap at his shoulder. ‘God, you are so cheesy. How did I end up with such an old man?’
Adam gasps, mock-offended. ‘Can this old man buy you a drink?’
I tap a finger to my lips, pretending to consider his offer. ‘I suppose so. If he’s paying.’
As Adam buys drinks I let my gaze wander to the table in the far corner. It seems Ruby has had her feed and is now sleeping peacefully in Dee’s arms. She catches my eye and winks and I feel myself smile. Maybe Adam’s right and there’s a chance I could enjoy myself in this place. It’s not for long, but maybe Dee could be someone fun to spend time with while we’re here.
Samir bends and murmurs something to Erica, who still seems intent on staring out of the window, and heads towards the bathroom. Dee taps Erica on the shoulder and holds Ruby towards her. Erica’s face lights up as she accepts the tiny bundle and holds the baby close to her chest.
Dee makes her way to the other side of the bar, closest to the bathrooms, and I feel a pang of disappointment. She’s served straight away, and as she stands sipping her drink, Samir comes out of the bathrooms and with a glance in the direction of the corner table, approaches Dee. She turns her body to face him so that her back is to me, and even as Adam returns with the drinks, I find I’m craning my neck to see.
There’s a familiarity in the way Dee greets Samir, her hand on his shoulder as she leans in to kiss his cheek. She lingers – is she whispering something in his ear? Samir nods, his expression stern, and then Dee heads back to the table and Samir orders more drinks for him and his wife.
As Dee approaches the table, I see Erica looking at her, baby Ruby clutched to her chest. And for a second I could swear I see a flash of emotion cross her face before she’s quick enough to hide it.