Follow My Lead Episode 24
He had reserved a table and they were shown straight to it.
“Good,” he commented. “I asked for one by the window.”
Danielle could see why. The view outside the big picture window was stunning.
Rolling hills, glowing myriad shades of green in the evening sunlight, were the perfect backdrop to a semi-circular lake that a family of ducks had evidently made their home.
She unzipped her jacket and the young waiter was immediately on hand.
“Would you like me to hang that up for you?” he offered. “And I’ll leave you the menus . . .”
Stu was smiling at her.
“You look nice.”
“Thanks.” Her cheeks grew warm. Flustered, she ducked behind the menu. “I hear they do a good sea bass here.”
Their choices made and placed with the waiter – fish for her and pasta for Stu – they faced each other.
Danielle tried to think of something to say.
“About Lydia,” Stu began. “Do you think she might fancy getting more involved with the hall?”
Danielle was relieved that he’d taken conversational control, but were they really here to talk about Lydia and the hall?
She bit back the disappointment and considered his questions.
“Will she stay? I really don’t know,” she admitted. “But even if she doesn’t, I think she’d enjoy running the hall short term.
“She’d certainly get more people involved. It’s what she’s good at. Folk are drawn to her.”
They talked on as their food arrived, sometimes chatting about Lydia and the hall, or about their meals, which were both delicious.
They talked about books they were reading and box sets they were watching.
Stu touched on Padding A-Round.
“I’ve heard a couple of gripes about him from my clients. Nothing really bad – just odd bits about his attitude.”
They debated having pudding, and both gave in to temptation as the waiter delivered a luscious-looking cheesecake to a nearby table.
The evening ambled on, friendly, relaxed and easy.
But even when Stu dropped her back at her house, Danielle still wasn’t sure if it had been a date.
He peered through the windscreen at the bungalow, quiet and in darkness.
“No signs of life. Has Lydia gone to bed, or is she not home yet?”
Danielle glanced at the dashboard clock. It was 10.30.
She checked her phone. No messages.
“She might not be back yet. The last train isn’t till after eleven.”
She turned to him, her hand on the door release.
“Thanks, Stu. That was really nice.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied with a smile. “I enjoyed it, too. Maybe we could do it again some time?”
“I’d like that,” Danielle said, and Stu nodded.
He settled back in his seat, hands on the steering wheel, getting ready to go.
“OK, then, I’ll see you later,” she said, opening the door.
As she stood at the gate, watching him drive off, she shook her head.
Was that a date?