Rory's Proposal (12 page)

‘If anyone comes from Rory’s you know what to do don’t you?’

‘We’ll be fine,’ says Sandy. ‘You have a good time. Have you got the ring?’

I point to my handbag.

‘It’s so exciting, isn’t it Ryan?’

‘Riveting, totally riveting.’

I check my BlackBerry and re-read Luke’s message.

Missing you darling but enjoying the golf. Love you x.

Oh, I can’t wait to see him.

‘Thanks for coming in early. I appreciate it. Don’t forget if that Grant Richards comes back …’

‘He’ll be toast,’ says Ryan.

‘Jethro said if we could somehow find his address he’d send someone round with a banger. How dare he steal our idea?’

‘I don’t think a firework up his arse is going to achieve much,’ says Ryan.

Ryan has much to learn.

‘Not everything is about arses,’ snaps Sandy. ‘It might be for you but not the rest of us.’

And I’m leaving these two in charge?

‘You will be okay won’t you?’ I say worriedly.

‘We love each other really,’ smiles Ryan.

I kiss them both and dash outside to my waiting taxi. Ryan carries my suitcase and deposits it in the boot.

‘Come back engaged or we’ll never talk to you again.’

‘Get lots of names on the petition,’ I instruct.

Once inside the cab I check I have Luke’s engagement band. I get butterflies in my stomach every time I think about it. I pay the driver and wheel my case into Euston station. I hope Tom hasn’t forgotten. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had, and I’ll probably find the seats have been taken by his friends or something. I did think of buying air tickets but the flights were all booked. I probably should have emailed him to say I was coming. The station is busy with rush hour passengers and I struggle to weave my way through the crowds to see the train times. I find the platform and then realise I can’t get through the barrier as I don’t have a ticket. A wave of panic washes over me. How could I have been so stupid? I have a vision of the train pulling away with me standing alone and miserable. I fight down my panic and approach the guard.

‘Tickets,’ he says.

‘I’m on that train,’ I say pointing. ‘I’ve got a free seat.’

‘A free seat,’ he repeats doubtfully. ‘You and everyone else I imagine.’

‘Well, it’s not free. Obviously someone paid for it.’

‘Obviously,’ he replies somewhat sarcastically.

‘My friend Tom paid for it. He’s got three seats and I’m joining him.’

‘And what would your friend’s name be?’ he asks, looking at the clipboard in his hand.

Oh dear.

‘I don’t actually know his full name …’

‘I see. He’s your friend but you don’t know his name and he didn’t give you a ticket?’

I shake my head.

‘Then I’m afraid I can’t help you madam. If I let everyone through who says they have a free seat courtesy of a friend whose name they don’t know I’d have chaos wouldn’t I?’ He tips his head in the direction of the ticket office.

‘Why don’t you see if there are any seats left? I wouldn’t ask for a free one though. I don’t think there are many of those going spare.’

I sigh, turn towards the ticket office and see Tom. He is walking towards the platform. His expression changes and a smile breaks across his handsome face and I realise that I have been looking forward to this trip and not just because I’m going to propose to Luke but also because I’ll be spending time with Tom. He has one hand loosely pushed into his jeans pocket and the other is carrying a small suitcase.

‘You came,’ he says warmly.

‘Ah
Tom,
I assume,’ the guard smiles.

‘That’s me,’ grins Tom, handing over the tickets.

We walk a short way up the platform before Tom stops.

‘Right here we are, first class.’

Oh my God, first class. It must have cost him a small fortune. Rosalind and Devon were right, there is no such thing as a free lunch, or a free train ride. He’ll be expecting payment of some kind. What do I do now? I’ve got the ring and everything. I’m going to get engaged. I can’t get on a train with a man who clearly wants to bang me.

‘I can’t possibly …’ I begin.

‘It’s just a seat on a train. You need a seat and I’ll enjoy your company. It seems a fair exchange.’

No such thing as a free lunch Flora.

‘It’s fine. I can get a ticket at the ticket office,’ I say primly.

‘I won’t demand your body if that’s what you’re thinking.’

I blush and fiddle with my handbag.

‘You’d be disappointed if you do,’ I say, without thinking.

He rolls his eyes.

‘You’re always underestimating yourself,’ he says smiling. ‘But as I don’t intend to, I won’t know will I? But I somehow doubt you’re a disappointment. So, Flora Robson, would you give me the pleasure, of your company that is, for the next few hours.’

‘Well …’ I hesitate.

‘I take that as a yes.’

The guard blows a whistle. I do want to propose to Luke. It really is now or never. He opens the door and I step into the carriage. A woman can have a male friend can’t she? No such thing as a free lunch Flora. Don’t think about it, don’t think about it but how can I not think about it? Tomorrow I’ll be thirty without a wedding in sight, and I want to be with Luke on my birthday don’t I? But I feel like I am being disloyal to Luke and I really shouldn’t be here. If only I weren’t so indecisive. I follow Tom onto the train and pass the plush seats until we come to a door.

‘My suite,’ he says nonchalantly.

Suite? Oh no, it’s getting worse. The train is gently rolling along the track and there is no getting off now.

‘Suite,’ I echo in a strained voice. I can’t tell Luke about this. ‘But I can’t possibly …’

‘I think you can,’ he smiles, ‘unless you’re thinking of throwing yourself off the train.’

‘I thought you had spare seats?’ I say, trying not to sound too accusatory.

‘I have. There are three seats altogether and two bunk beds. You’re welcome to go on top,’ he says with a wink.

I don’t believe this, have I gone totally insane? My mad rush to get married has led me into dangerous waters. I don’t even know this guy. He could be a sex offender or a serial killer about to commit his next crime. He may have stolen someone’s identity. For all I know his name isn’t even Tom. I look at him suspiciously.

‘Would you like tea? I’m having breakfast. I’m sure they have something healthy for you,’ he says, patting one of the plush seats and pulling out a table.

‘You could be a sex maniac for all I know,’ I say boldly, running my hand along the back of the soft upholstery while thinking that wouldn’t really be so bad. Don’t think about it, don’t think about it.

‘I might well be, but to be honest I don’t have time, appealing as it sounds I just don’t think I could fit it into my tight schedule. What would you like for breakfast?’

He hands me the menu. I glance down casually so as to give the impression that food is of little interest, but I note the full English with hash browns and my stomach rumbles.

‘Toast will be fine,’ I say.

‘Really, are you sure? I’m having the full English. Oh, I keep forgetting, you’re on the health kick with Luke aren’t you? Does he dictate everything you do?’

‘He doesn’t dictate,’ I say forcefully, while inwardly agreeing that he does. ‘I can eat what I like. I just like to eat healthily.’

‘When your sweet tooth doesn’t dictate otherwise,’ he laughs.

He looks so handsome and I am sure my heart misses a beat when he laughs. He is so easy to be with, not that Luke isn’t you understand, Luke is just different that’s all. I glance again at the menu and feel my stomach grumble.

‘I can eat whatever I like,’ I repeat.

I feel his eyes on me and become uncomfortably aware of my well-worn Gap jeans and oversize top. I pull my woollen shawl around me and pat my hair, checking it is still neatly clipped around the doughnut.

‘I’ll have the full English too,’ I say. ‘But …’

‘Here come the orders,’ he says, biting his lip to stop himself from smiling.

I look at him over the menu.

‘Can you ask them not to turn the eggs? I don’t like the yolks fried. Can I have the mushrooms in a dish on the side, otherwise the juice makes the hash browns soggy, and I’d prefer the tomatoes uncooked.’

He scratches his chin.

‘Anything else? Do you want mayonnaise on the bacon?’ he asks.

‘Are you mocking me?’

He shakes his head.

‘No,’ he stretches his hands out in denial. ‘I just want to get it right.’

‘I don’t have mayonnaise on bacon. I only have it when I have bacon in a butty.’

He nods.

‘Right, of course, is coffee okay or would you prefer tea?’

‘Yes, but …’

He laughs and flops into one of the seats.

‘I love this about you.’

I wish Luke did.

‘Coffee, but I don’t want decaf, and with skimmed milk not full fat.’

‘Got it,’ he says getting up. ‘I’ll be ten minutes. Have a look around.’

The door closes behind him and I let out a sigh. The suite is small and compact with a corner couch and two window seats. The floor is carpeted and soft under my feet. I glance nervously at a narrow door at the back of the compartment. Feeling confident that he wouldn’t come back for a while, I slowly open it to see the bunk beds, neatly made with white sheets and fluffy blankets. A small cabinet with a single clock sits beside the beds. Well, if he thinks I’m going on top, he can think again. Just the thought of it. No, don’t think about it, don’t think about it but how can I not think about it? I somehow think Tom is not a tea and biscuit after sex kind of man. In fact, I imagine Tom has never eaten a
Rich Tea
biscuit in his life. Don’t think about it, don’t think about it. In fact why am I thinking about it at all? Let’s just say there would be little chance of confusing K-Y Jelly with Biofreeze as I imagine I wouldn’t need either where Tom is concerned. Step away from the bedroom Flora. I close the door carefully. The smell of bacon and sausages reaches my nostrils. What am I doing having a fry up? Luke would have a heart attack if he knew. Come to think of it I’ll have a heart attack if I go on like this. There’s no such thing as a free lunch or a free breakfast Flora. Don’t think about it, don’t think about it. My eyes stray to the briefcase sitting on the floor. I could just peek inside couldn’t I? No one would blame me would they? I’d just be checking that he isn’t a sex offender. Yes right Flora, like there will be a business card in there saying
Tom, Sex offender specialising in female abduction on train journeys
. I shake my head and peep inside the mini bar. I gasp. The thing is full of Moet champagne.

‘Bit early for that isn’t it?’ Tom says as he slides open the door. A waiter bundles in after him pushing a food trolley. There are croissants, toast, bacon, eggs, hash browns, sausages, beans and mushrooms, plus a cafetière
 of coffee. I could get used to this. It’s a bit different to the normal curled up sandwiches that are doled out in cattle class.

‘Everything separate, perfect for you, I thought,’ he smiles.

The aroma of the coffee is wonderful and I watch with a watering mouth as the food is put onto the table. Tom gives the waiter a tip and then gestures for me to join him. He hands me a plate.

‘Bon appetit.’

We eat in silence and I glance occasionally at him. He is absorbed looking through papers. I rummage in my bag and steal a quick look at the ring I’d bought Luke and feel a tremor of excitement. I push my plate away and drink leisurely from my coffee as I watch the sights pass by. It is cosy and warm on the train and I feel my eyelids grow heavy. A sudden clatter of plates makes me jump and I look up to see him clearing the dishes and putting them back onto the trolley.

‘Do you want me to order more coffee?’ he asks.

I shake my head. He pushes the trolley outside and then sits opposite me.

‘What’s happening with your salon?’

‘I really don’t want to talk about the salon if you don’t mind. I just want to think about nice things.’

‘Like marrying Luke?’ he smiles.

‘Yes,’ I say.

His knee presses against mine and I feel the warmth of his body on my skin. I gently move my leg. I again remember Rosalind’s words, ‘
No such thing as a free lunch Flora. He’s working up to banging you.
’ The thought sends more than just a little tremble through me. One last bang before getting married, I find myself thinking and give myself a quick rebuke. I clasp my hands together nervously.

‘So, you don’t have a girlfriend?’ I say.

He raises his eyebrows.

‘What makes you think I don’t have a girlfriend?’ he asks, pulling a laptop from his case.

I shrug.