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“No.”
Smooth Matt, real smooth.
“I think I need a brandy. You?” He needed to escape, re-group and calm the hell down before he asked her what her favourite colour was and if she’d like to go with him to the school disco. Purple, he thought, as he jumped up and headed back to the bar.
***
Matt had jumped up and almost ran to the bar before even waiting for her reply. She eyed their full glasses on the table. He seemed a bit out of sorts. Correction, more out of sorts than earlier. If she didn’t know better she’d have said he was nervous but she knew his type. Sexy, wealthy, sexy, self- confident business man. Had she mentioned he was sexy?
Why would he be nervous around her? There was something more to him, hidden behind a carefully constructed grumpy exterior that may or may not be his genuine character. Could it just be a shield? She knew all about shields; hers had been perfected over many lonely years. But if he had one, why?
She took the “not to be missed” opportunity to openly admire his backside yet again as he stood at the bar and spoke to Bob. She imagined a luscious ripe peach, just waiting to be bitten…
“My oh my George,” she bent down to whisper at him while her eyes stayed fixated on Matt’s behind, “Have you ever seen a more attractive backside?” She dropped her gaze to meet George’s dark brown eyes as they stared back up at her. She smiled as he tilted his head to one side as if to say, “you think?!” She continued, “Don’t you just want to grab it and squeeze? No? Well, I guess you’re a boy. Now if Alix was here I’d have to prop him up, wipe off the drool, and fan him with the beer mat.” She sat back in her chair and leaned her head to the side. “’’Course that backside could do with a good kick occasionally… just when he’s extra grumpy.”
Anastacia narrowed her eyes, fascinated as the Village Viper stalked her prey, deciding it was time to make her strike. Her prey was distracted, vulnerable. Matt’s body automatically jerked away as the viper touched his arm and whispered in his ear. It was as if he’d been electrocuted. She smiled to herself, contemplating how long to leave it until she rescued him. Surprisingly, he now seemed overly polite. It must just be her that caused his caustic reaction. She tried to analyse his strange reactions as he attempted to politely dislodge himself from the viper’s ’ O.P.I “Winter Berry" claws without causing offence. When Anastacia saw her reach up to touch his face, she’d seen enough. The man had already told her that he hated attention and he evidently needed rescuing.
Ditching her David Attenborough commentary, she used stealth to approach them unseen before slipping her hand around Matt’s backside and putting her hand into the back pocket of his jeans, kissing him on the cheek and being secretly thrilled that he hadn’t jerked away from her touch. “Hey honey, just thought I’d see what was taking you so long, I’m so thirsty. Hi.” She turned to the viper, fixing her best professional smile to her lips and offering her hand. “I’m Anastacia, or Ana as Matt prefers to calls me. Pleased to meet you,” she said, charmingly offering her hand.
The Village Viper gawped for a moment before her eyes widened with recognition and she accepted defeat. She shook her hand and backed off. “You too. See you at the Ball, Matt.” She slithered off back under her rock.
“You’re welcome,” she whispered in his ear, turning back to their table and re-settling herself in the comfy chair, pleased with a job well done.
Matt joined her with the drinks, his expression dark. “You shouldn’t have done that,” he complained, shaking his head. “That’s Phyllis Armer, she’s harmless, just lonely.” His eyes darted around the room as if to make sure there was no one around. “Her husband ran off with the mobile hairdresser a few years back. She owns the ladies’ dress shop in the village.” He sighed, shaking his head again. “Now we’ll have to deal with the fallout of the whole village thinking there is something going on between us.” That muscle in his jaw was twitching again, as she tried to ignore its increasing appeal.
“You said you hated attention and I thought she was giving you too much. So anyway.” She started, in order to change the subject, not willing to get into yet another argument with him. “What’s happening with this Ball she mentioned?”
Matt stared at here for a moment as if he had something on his mind or was trying to figure out some puzzle before he recovered.
“Er, the village has an annual Christmas Ball to raise funds for a local children’s home. It’s held in the village hall and all the locals club together to help with all the arrangements. It’s the day after tomorrow.”
“Sounds like fun. Am I invited?” she enquired, making no apology for being pushy.
His eyes widened slightly before he shrugged his shoulders. “You’d want to go to the Village Ball? Our Village Ball?” He raised his brow as if in disbelief.
At her nod, he continued. “Sure, if you like. Pip and Mrs H will be going and no doubt you’ll have the rest of the villagers falling over themselves to speak to you.”
Such enthusiasm. “Oh, I thought you said that they wouldn’t care less about me. I was looking forward to the anonymity,” she teased.
They spent the next hour or so chatting comfortably about safe subjects like their jobs and hobbies and it was clear to Ana that horses were Matt’s passion, not just something which obviously paid well. His passion was horses, hers was fashion.
“So there’s quite an age gap between you and Pip?”
“Hmm, she was our parent’s little mid-life surprise. My father wanted another Aston Martin and he got a baby girl.” Matt paused and gathered his thoughts. “She took our mother’s death badly so she’s taking some time off from university at the moment ’till she decides whether she’s going back. But of course she is going back to university, whether she knows it yet or not. I’m just giving her some time out. Her tutors are being very understanding and making allowances.”
“You look out for her. That’s nice.”
“Of course.” He shrugged his shoulders again. “She’s my little sister. My family. It’s my job and I promised our mother.” Matt glanced down at his glass, breaking their eye contact, but not before she caught their sadness, highlighted against the dark shadows beneath his lower lashes.
Ana was surprised by his powerful declaration about Pip. Despite her limited experience with men she knew it was rare for a man to speak so passionately and protectively about his little sister. It was clear that he adored his sibling and her heart ached to have someone care for her with such devotion. What would that kind of love and protection feel like? Yes, she had Alix, but it wasn’t the same as proper family.
He sighed heavily and shook his head as if to dispel sad memories. “Of course, there was that time I locked her in a wardrobe and then forgot about her and went out with a girl.” He winced and took a swig of his drink. “Better not mention that to her though, she’s still a bit sensitive about it.”
“Our secret. So that’s two secrets so far… anything else you want to confess?” She quickly added, “From one insomniac to another.”
He shook his head. “I don’t have a problem sleeping.”
“Ha.” The short sound burst from her throat. “Now, I already told you about my Mensa membership so don’t treat me like an idiot. If you don’t want to talk about whatever it is that’s bothering you and keeping you awake at night that’s fine,” she paused to take a sip of her drink before she shook her head, “but don’t lie.”
“I don’t know you,” he stated as a matter of fact.
She thinned her lips before saying, “Precisely. I’ll be gone and out of your life in a couple of days so you have no need to worry that I’ll make some judgment about you.” She quickly tilted her head to one side. “Well,” she continued, “none that you’ll be bothered by. I’m like the best free therapy you could get.”
He dropped his eyes away from her again. Her suspicions that there was something else going on with this man were confirmed, but clearly now wasn’t the time. He wasn’t going to talk. “I’m sorry about your mum,” she said, and he looked back into her eyes, smiled half-heartedly and nodded. “Mrs Henderson told me.”
“Yeah, well, it was for the best I suppose. She was in pain towards the end and ever since my dad died, she’d never really been the same. She never recovered. They were soulmates, married for over fifty years. They certainly set Pip and I an unattainable standard.” He cleared his throat. “So do you have siblings?”
She gave a humourless sharp laugh. “No, I barely have a mother. There was no way she was going to make the same mistake twice and have another kid.”
“You’re not close then?” he asked, narrowing his eyes, confused by her comment.
She gave him a mirthless smile. “Nope, we’re not even living on the same continent, haven’t for years. She’s always been focused on her career. From what little I know, she had a fling with someone, most likely a director or such like, and got knocked up. I still don’t know why she kept me.”
She caught Matt wince from the corner of her eye like she’d hit a nerve.
“She probably hoped she could snare the fella into some sort of advantageous marriage fiasco. I’m guessing he was probably married. Anyway.” She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “She had me but I have no happy memories of my childhood and no idea who my father is. Just ever changing ’nannies and being packed off to boarding school as soon as I was old enough. I’ve tried so many times over the years to get close to her but there’s only so many times you can get kicked, right? Even dogs learn eventually.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He said, honestly. “I can’t imagine not being close to my mother. Still, she must be proud of you. What you’ve achieved and everything?” at her wry look he quickly added, “Pip tells me your very famous.”
“You’d think.” Ana took a sip of her brandy. She was so not ready to have that conversation with a man she’d only just met… especially as he wasn’t up for quid pro quo.
Chapter Three (#uc403c5af-ff94-560f-ba7f-dde9af2be9cd)
“Hey you two. Sooo, how’s it going?” Pip’s enthusiasm was contagious as she pulled up a spare chair and plonked her drink on the table and looked between the two of them like she was watching a tennis match. “Oh, sorry did I interrupt something?”
Matt was impressed that Pip had even noticed. Most of the time he loved his sister’s glass half full, fly by the seat of your pants, blasé attitude to life but right now… he wished she’d just shove off, which surprised him. After she’d abandoned Ana with him he’d silently cursed her and thought about the pro’s and con’s of locking her back in that cupboard in the attic. Would it be worth Mrs H’s wrath again?
“So, are you single Ana?”
“Pip, leave it.” Matt snapped. He’d only lock her in it for a short time…
“What?” Pip asked innocently, raising her shoulders and eyebrows before carrying on unperturbed. “Right,” she clapped her hands together, “now that Matt has probably bored you to tears talking about bloody horses, you up for some fun, karaoke style?” Her eyes sparkled and her smile was wide as she wiggled her shoulders.
“Oh I don’t think so Pip.”
But the disappointed look on Pip’s face was enough to change Ana’s mind..
“Okay. Okay, you win,” she said, holding her hands up in mock surrender. “Let’s go before I change my mind. Thanks for keeping me company Matt.” She said quickly finishing her brandy before following Pip to the far end of the bar. Matt tracked her as she walked away, hypnotised by the sway of her hips.
As she vanished into the games room he bent down and stroked George, nursing the rest of his own brandy, ignoring the fact he was already missing Ana’s company and warm smile. He reflected on her earlier comment about rescuing him from Phyliss. He’d been momentarily stunned by her comment and that she’d actually remembered what he’d said earlier in the car and had acted in order to protect him; even though it was the worst thing she could have done. But she barely knew him.
She was like a breath of fresh air but he’d noticed the sad look in her eyes at the mention of her mother. He lent back, closed his eyes as images of a certain feisty redhead came to mind wearing a tight corset…where had she said he could find out her bra size??
***
Matt’s peaceful relaxation was shattered by ear-splitting, tuneless warbling coming from the far end of the pub. Even George woke up, pricked his ears, and whined.
“Good grief lad, we better go and put them out of their misery before they clear the pub.”
Matt walked into the games room at the far end and decided that he’d obviously snoozed for a while in front of the fire. Ana and Pip had empty shot glasses lined up in front of them and had their arms around each other holding a microphone in the middle; the height difference was comical. Matt couldn’t be sure but thought he detected the tortured sounds of the Bee Gee’s’ “You Should Be Dancing”. At least, that was the tune in the background, but Ana and Pip were too busy giggling and improvising to be bothered with actual lyrics… or tone.
He hoped she didn’t have plans to be a pop singer.
The girls had attracted an audience of the young village males who seemed keen to keep the girls supplied with alcohol.
Okay, enough fun.
“Yay, Matt’s here!”
His name was shouted by them both and echoed around the room through the speakers, which complained loudly with shrill reverb.
Matt winced. “Okay you two, time to let someone else have some fun. Share the lime light.”
Matt heard the grumblings from the lads who had congregated towards the back of the room. He silenced them with an arctic stare. Intelligent lads that they were, they recognised his alpha status in the room, dropped their eyes, and busied themselves with a game of pool.
“Boo boring!” Pip chanted. “We’re just having some fun Matt. Come on Matt, sing with your ’lil sister purrlleeeaasse…”
“I think Matt’s right Pip, too much fun for me. I’m shattered and… oops, possibly slightly inebriated.”
Matt noticed the slight slurring of her words right before she stumbled off the stage. He sprung forward to catch her.
“Whoops, falling off the stage, thank God that’s never happened to me before. Career suicide, Naomi never fully recovered. Thank you my—" She hiccupped. “Hero.”
“You’re welcome, now let’s get you home.” He placed his arm around Ana’s waist to help her. “You coming Pip?”
“No, not yet. James texted before and he’s on his way. He’ll bring me home later.”
“Fine, not too late though. If you’re not back before twelve I’ll be coming back for you.”
“Alright, alright, I’ve got it. Byyyeee Ana!!”
Matt turned back to Ana. “Ready?”
“You have beautiful eyes.”
Or at least that’s what he thought she slurred, before she added, “even with the bags underneath. I know a beauty trick for that.” She hiccupped again and giggled.
Oh great. This was going to be a long walk home!
He manoeuvred them out of the games room and towards the exit. “Come on George. Night Bob, thanks.”
“Night Matt, see ya at the Ball. Oh and tell ya lass she’s welcome t’ come and see me ferret anytime she likes.”
Ana lifted her head slightly and giggled whilst slapping an open palm against Matt’s chest. “Naughty Barman Bob.”
Matt rolled his eyes and huffed. “He’s not propositioning you Ana. He really does have a ferret – and before you ask no, I don’t.”
***
Despite a lull in the snowfall, a cold blast of air hit them as they left the warmth of the pub and Matt was taken aback as Ana immediately snuggled into his chest in protest and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. The unexpected action had him frozen like the children’s snowman: standing proudly in the village square. He was completely out of his depth here. Did he put his arm around her or keep his distance? Although, untangling her from his body might be a bit tricky. The woman’s grip rivalled that of an octopus.
She mumbled into his chest."urghmattitsbloomfreezingoutereletsgobackinsidecozitsniceandwarm.”
Matt had to smile. Miss Harper was drunk and, evidently, she was an affectionate drunk. So much better than an aggressive or loud drunk.
“Hmmmyousmellsoooogood,” she slurred, and then giggled for absolutely no reason he could determine. Odd woman.
“Hmm hm, you do too.”
It was taking them forever to walk down the street. For every step forward, Ana seemed to force them to the side but in actual fact Matt was beginning to enjoy the excuse for the close contact that he didn’t have to think too much about. He eventually gave up trying to keep any distance between their bodies and brought his left arm around her shoulder, the other covering her clasped hands.
“Comeonemattpleaseletsgoovethehillpleaseprettypurleessee.”
It took a moment for him to translate her meaning.
“No way Ana, we’re sticking to the road,” he said sternly, shaking his head. He would not be moved on this.
Ana stopped abruptly and turned to face him, sulking as she put her hands on her hips. Or at least he thought that was the look she was going for. It rather missed its objective when her hands slipped forward off her hips and she started to fall forward. Matt stopped her by placing his hand on her forehead and pushing her back gently.
He arched a brow. “I see the stroppy two year old is back again, Miss Harper,” he said in a mocking yet light tone.
She stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry at him. He was relatively sure she hadn’t meant to cover his face in spittle.
Matt wiped his face and didn’t try to hide the smile creeping suspiciously to his lips. “Nice, Miss Harper. Very refined.”
“Ah there’s ya smile; see ya do have one farm boy.” She chucked at her own joke and dropped her head back onto his coat. “Dowhateveryoozewantimgoingoveryonderhill.”
Nope, not a clue this time.
Matt sighed. If this was what having a child would be like maybe he should re-think his desire to have lots of the little blighters.
“Right then come along Jill, over the hill we go. Let’s just hope it doesn’t end as badly for us.” He looked up at the stars as if seeking guidance.
“Whooohoo!” Ana jumped up and down like a child.
Matt steered them off towards the relatively small hill over which Melville House stood. It was usually a much quicker way into the village but tonight, with the snow and Miss Harper, he wasn’t so sure.
Ana snuggled towards him and linked her arm through his as they strolled along the end of the high street in anything but a straight line.
