Read Online Rory's Proposal by Lynda Renham - Free Book Online Page B

give me a shout when you’re back. I need to get my leggings off …’
    Oh what am I saying? You see what I mean? That sounded awful didn’t it? He’ll think I’m anyone’s for a box of chocolates. He looks at me.
    ‘What I mean is …’
    He smiles and turns to the door. I dive into the loo and check my face in the mirror. I look flushed and wild. My hair is sticking up where I ran my hands through it. God, I look like a witch, and the smock makes me look like a mad artist. I pull the smock and leggings off and grab a spare pair. I tidy my top and splash my face with water and look despairingly at my hair before heading back to the salon. He has the pipes off when I reach him.
    ‘Would you like a coffee or something else?’
    Christ, what’s wrong with me, what is the something else ? He raises his eyebrows and as though reading my mind, says with a smile,
    ‘What is the something else?’
    I come over all hot at the thought.
    ‘I have some lemonade in the fridge.’
    ‘That sounds good, and one of those cupcakes would be nice.’
    Cheeky bugger, he’s lucky there are any left. I place the cupcake onto a plate.
    ‘I’ll put them on the counter here,’ I shout over his banging.
    ‘Great thanks. This is unblocked. Do you have a mop or something?’
    I fetch the mop and bucket and hand them to him. He smiles and looks at the lemonade.
    ‘Looks good,’ he comments.
    God, he is good looking.
    ‘Do you want to try it?’ he asks.
    Try what? He’s a bit pushy. He nods to the sink. He’s got my head in a spin.
    ‘Thank you so much, you’re a good plumber.’
    ‘Not really,’ he smiles. ‘Anyone can unblock a sink.’
    ‘What do you do?’
    He looks taken aback.
    ‘I’m a director of a company. It’s a family business.’
    ‘Sounds grand,’ I say.
    ‘I heard somewhere that this parade of shops had been sold,’ he says pulling out a chair and sitting down. I feel the hairs on the back of my neck bristle.
    ‘No, we’re not selling. Everyone else can, but not us. I’m having a rally to show Mr Rory that we won’t be bought. Sodding Rory’s can go and …’
    He raises his eyebrows.
    ‘He wants to buy the salon to build a supermarket would you believe. Well, not while my name is Flora Robson. It’s about time someone stopped these people. There are plenty of supermarkets. We don’t need another one. I’ve started a petition. I can’t believe they tried to bribe me with perfume and chocolates, talk about insulting my intelligence …’
    He glances at the chocolates on the counter.
    ‘Oh no, it wasn’t a nice gesture like yours,’ I say quickly, not wanting to offend him. ‘Mr Rory is a scumbag. He’s putting local people out of business,’ I add hotly. ‘People like him are just money crazy.’
    I stop when I realise he is smiling at me.
    ‘I’m a bit passionate about my salon,’ I say, blushing.
    ‘Yes, I can tell, your eyes go a bit wild.’
    Oh no, do they? Now he will think I’m totally nuts. He knocks back the last of his lemonade and stands up.
    ‘Right, I’d better be getting off.’
    ‘Oh Tom,’ I say quickly, grabbing the petition from one of the tables. ‘Would you sign the petition? Every name helps.’
    He looks unsure for a second and then takes the pen and scribbles his name. I look down at it, trying to discern his name but it’s barely legible.
    ‘Thanks so much,’ I say pushing a sticker on his shirt and liking the feel of his warm chest against my hand.
    ‘There, now everyone will know you support us,’ I say.
    ‘Great,’ he responds with a wry smile.
    I look at the sticker with satisfaction.
    ‘Thank you so much,’ I say, aware my hand is still on his chest. ‘I hope you’ll come to our protest.’
    He smiles.
    ‘I’m pretty busy most days.’
    ‘Well if you’re free. I could let you know when we have a date.’
    He has a lovely voice, crystal clear but soft. He looks thoughtful and then with a wink says,
    ‘Do you fancy a hot