Million Love Songs(22)

‘Yeah. We on the same shift again?’

‘Lates for me.’

‘Me too. We could go somewhere for brekky in the morning.’

‘Sounds like a plan,’ Charlie says. ‘Text me.’

‘OK.’ I fuss about, not getting my coat.

‘Love you. Laters!’ she trills and bounces out.

What do I do now? I didn’t notice where Mason was on my way in here and I don’t want to look as if I’m hanging around waiting for him. That would be too desperate. I think I’ll get my coat and make for the door as if I’m going to leave. If he asks me again then I might stay. Only might.

Leaving work never used to be so complicated at the council finance department, I tell you. But then my boss had dandruff and halitosis, so no contest really.

I get my stuff out of my locker and head out. In the bar, Mason is sitting at one of the tables, arm thrown casually over the back of his chair. He always looks so sharp, so hot – no wonder more impressionable females fall so easily for his rather obvious charm. ‘Join me for a glass of wine?’

‘Don’t mind if I do.’ So much for me playing hard to get. But then he did say the magic word. Wine.

With far too little persuasion, I take the chair opposite him and he pours me a glass. I hold it up and we clink glasses. ‘Cheers.’

‘Another busy night,’ Mason says. ‘The pub’s doing really well. Number one in the chain.’

‘It’s on account of the charming staff,’ I quip.

‘I wouldn’t disagree with that,’ he bats back. ‘You give great TripAdvisor.’

That makes me laugh and Mason smiles too. He has good teeth. Expensive ones. Like the ones you see in reality shows about trendy young things. Gleaming. It makes me realise that I’m probably overdue at the dentist.

‘I like the pub when it’s empty.’ Mason has dimmed the lights and it’s obviously just the two of us.

‘It is nice,’ I agree. ‘Peaceful.’

‘This place was built as a farmhouse originally. It’s been here for about four hundred years. The farmer used to give out beer to the labourers from the back door.’

‘I like the thought of that.’ We both take in the blackened, rugged beams in the bar area, the sturdy hearth that once would have been the centre of a home and exchange impressed glances. ‘It feels as if we’re a little part of history.’

‘Yes,’ he agrees. ‘The custodians of the past and for the future. We should do something to celebrate.’

My heart does a little pitter-patter. Remember that CCTV, Ruby Brown!

‘Let’s go to a club.’

‘It’s Monday night.’

‘Oh, I think they open then. But only for depraved souls.’ He swigs his wine and fixes his eyes on mine. ‘I know a little place. Very exclusive. I’d like to show it to you. Fancy it?’

I look at my watch, uncertain.

‘What have you got to get back for?’ His eyes twinkle in the low light. ‘You’re not going to turn into a pumpkin are you, Brown?’

‘It feels very wicked on a school night.’ I suck in an anxious breath. ‘What will the boss say?’

‘Oh, I think he’d be all in favour.’

Then I remember I’m in my uniform of black trousers and white shirt. ‘I’m not exactly dressed for clubbing.’

‘You look gorgeous,’ he says, lightly. ‘We can snuggle up in a cosy corner.’

Charlie’s right. He’s an outrageous flirt.

‘I’m driving too.’

‘Let’s leave our cars here. I’ll call us a cab. They’ll be all right here overnight. There’s CCTV.’

Yes, I know all about that.

‘Have I convinced you?’ he asks.

I knock back my wine feeling more than a little reckless. ‘Let’s do it.’

Quick as a flash, Mason phones for a cab and I head off to the loos where I fluff my hair – which makes absolutely no difference at all to improve my general scruffiness – and make a token effort with a lippy. By the time I’m back in the bar, the cab has arrived. Mason turns off the lights and gently ushers me outside while he sets the alarm and locks up. I stand in the car park, shivering in the cool night air, feeling both a little bit sick and ridiculously excited. But, most of all, I’m wondering exactly what I’ve just agreed to.





Chapter Twenty





A short while later and we’re in one of the posh hotels in the city centre, heading to the top floor in the lift. I’m very aware that we’re close together in a confined space. We both stand and listen to James Blunt crooning.

‘I didn’t even know there was a club up here,’ I say to Mason.

‘Ah.’ He taps the side of his nose. ‘It’s only just opened and it’s very exclusive. Members only. You have to be in the know.’

‘Or know someone who knows.’

He grins at me. ‘Or that.’ A tasteful stainless steel plaque on the wall announces that the hidden club is called the Vibe Lounge. His hand rests on my hip as he opens the door for me and steers me inside.

It’s a beautiful place: small, intimate, and well out of my usual league. No wonder I don’t know about it. I bet Charlie doesn’t either and I’d normally credit her with knowing everywhere. It’s so sophisticated in here and, even in my uniform, I wouldn’t be mistaken for staff. The waiters in here are hipsters wearing red waistcoats, the waitresses are in slinky red velvet dresses and vertiginously high heels. I hope that Mason doesn’t think about introducing this dress code at the Butcher’s Arms. My feet would die within ten minutes.