The Spinster's Club

ROMY: Three

Standing in the middle of what was soon to be my store – Death by Chocolate – I sighed. It was all really happening now and I still had to pinch myself to believe how quickly it all came about. As the saying goes, a week is a long time in football. In this instance, two weeks is a long time in the life of a newly fired chocolatier.

Two weeks after having my arse kicked to the curb my application for a business loan had been approved. I had never been more grateful that rather than spend my money on holidays and the like, I had kept enough to build a decent nest egg the bank had looked on favourably. That coupled with an excellent credit rating and a sound business plan had seen Colin, my financial planner, sign off on the plan.

I also suspected that as he had been a long time customer of Millie's he was eager to have me back making his favourite treats sooner rather than later. At the end of the day it didn't matter why I had been approved for the loan, only that I had been. Thanks to Jan, my realtor, finding me the perfect location in less than nine days, I was about to become my own boss and could finally do things my own way.

I of course was still shit scared about all the things that could go pear shaped – those types of fears don't just up and disappear because things start to go your way. The difference now was in the time since I had been waiting for approval, I had decided to channel that fear into a positive thing. It was going to mean that I double and triple checked things or worried the crap out of it until I was certain it couldn't fail but that was better than just rushing in and missing out on something important. I didn't want anything to come between me and my dream.

"It's a sign Romy; fate's led you down this path for a reason. Go with it and stop being a bloody wuss" I told myself.

From out of nowhere a voice replied "Great advice. I'd listen if I were you."

What the hell..?

~*~*~

After jumping at being startled, I made a mental note to myself to get a bell for the door. I then turned around and spotted some random guy standing there, clipboard in hand.

"Sorry" he smiled, walking a little further into the store. "I didn't mean to interrupt your private thoughts."

Quite frankly I didn't care why he was there; he had me the minute he spoke. I had always been a sucker for an Irish accent and although he had only the faintest trace of one if was enough to be detectable. The fact that he was also in a fireman's uniform was enough to make me want to swoon; kind of sad for someone of my years, really.

"It's ok. It will teach me to talk out loud. What can I do to you; I mean for you?" I quickly recovered, praying he didn't notice the slip. The grin that appeared on his face moments later told me he had. This wasn't going to end well, I just knew it.

"I'm supposed to meet a Romy... (he checked his clipboard) Daniels. I'm here for the fire inspection."

So mesmerized was I with his accent and the way he filled out his uniform rather nicely, I completely forgot for a moment that I had indeed been waiting on someone to do the inspection, which is probably why the next comment out of my mouth sounded something like "Did you bring your own music, or should I get out my IPod?"

"Excuse me?" he asked, clearly not understanding.

"You're here to strip, right? I knew the girls would get me something for the store but I was expecting a decent blender."

My as yet unnamed visitor just stood there looking at me like I was insane. Then he smiled. "Maybe the blender is still on its way because I'm not here to strip for you. I really am here for a fire inspection."

Holy Superman is better than you Batman, Batman!

~*~*~

I wanted to die. Sinceriously I did. I was certain that had this guy had his fire engine parked out front, my cheeks would rival it for the red. I was so embarrassed I was lost for words, which is usually something that can never be said about me. I was just thinking it couldn't get any worse when he laughed.

"It's ok, really" he began. "I've been thought of as worse things than a stripper before; I'm going to take it as a compliment."

"I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am. I really do need to think before I open my mouth."

"Don't sweat it, really." A moment's pause ensued before he continued "Maybe we should get this inspection under way. There's a pole back at the station that needs some attention."

I shot him a look only to see that his grin was even wider, if that was even possible. I could feel my cheeks really burn now but needed to move on. If he could find the humour in it and joke, why couldn't I? Because the very thought of him and the pole had me glued to the floor.

"I'm David, by the way." He offered me his hand.

"Romy" was all I could mutter, taking his hand and noticing how it engulfed mine. "Where would you like to start?"

"How about we start at the back and work our way forward?"

I simply nodded and lead the way, praying that I wasn't going to be required to speak again this afternoon, worried sick about what might fly out of my mouth next.

~*~*~

A good forty minutes later we were about done with the inspection. Because there was no equipment on site at this time, it was more about checking the power outlets, fuse box, fire extinguishers etc. As we walked around, I noted all the things David suggested I need to change or upgrade but for the most part I was thinking other things that had nothing to do with business.

Like how tall he was. Most people were tall to me but David was taller than most people. He had to be at least 6'2", if not a smidge taller. Walking beside him as we made our way around the premises, I suddenly got a feeling for how Frodo felt standing next to Aragorn. Then of course there was the way he filled out the uniform and of course his accent. Honestly, if I was a bit taller and younger...

"Sorry?" I asked, embarrassed to think he had been speaking to me and I hadn't been listening.

"I was just saying you might need to get a new fire detector. This one has seen better days. Things can get pretty hot in a kitchen at the best of times but a kitchen this size and with the equipment you plan on installing, it's going to get a lot warmer."

"Oh, that's good to know. I probably won't be doing a lot of baking as such but I do plan on putting a decent oven and stove top in for the odd catering job. It couldn't hurt to get a new detector regardless; right?"

"Right" he smiled back, heading now for the front of the store. I simply followed after him, enjoying the view.

~*~*~

We had all but finished the inspection and I was signing off on the paperwork when I asked "How do you feel about salmon bars?"

OH. GOOD. GOD! 'How do you feel about salmon bars?' I sarcastically thought to myself in a tone that made me flinch. Are you kidding me! The words were out of my mouth before I had a chance to filter them and I wanted to kick myself. Honestly, I was a grown arsed woman who was supposed to be past this sort of thing but the sight of a uniform with a little bit of an accent and I was all girly. How positively pathetic!

"I can't eat salmon, makes me sick. Why?"

Jesus, Romy; think before you speak woman! "Sorry, I was thinking about something I had to do for a friend later. Forgive me; I tend to do that a lot – talk out loud and mix conversations with thoughts."

He laughed. "Oh, that's good. For a minute there I thought you might have been thinking about mixing the fish with the chocolate. I'm all for trying new things but that's something I would have to pass on."

"Eww; good god no! I might use some odd combinations but even I'm not that daft." I laughed with him, thankful that he hadn't really understood that by salmon bars I wasn't talking fish.

"Glad to hear it." Ripping off the top copy of the paperwork we had both just signed, he handed it to me. "Well, looks like you're all ready to go. Everything is as it should be from my end. Of course we will need to do a follow up once you have the equipment in and then on a regular basis but other than that, looks like you're in business."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding. "Thank you. I still can't quite believe it but I guess it's all here in the fine print. I can't believe how nervous I am and I haven't even got anything in the store yet."

"You'll be fine; I mean, who doesn't love chocolate, right? You will have to let me know when you're open because I know a few of the guys down at the house will want to come in; if not for themselves, then to get something to appease the wife."

I laughed with him, grateful for the vote of confidence and the easy way he seemed to put me at ease. Our embarrassing encounter on first meet was over with and aside from the salmon comment he had been easy to talk to. I had to admit I wouldn't have minded getting to know him a little better but of course that was impossible.

"I'll be sure to let you know" I offered. "Thanks again for this" I indicated with a flourish of my arm around the room.

"No worries at all. It's been an inspection I won't forget in a hurry."

Before I could add anything further, he simply offered me his hand once more and then said goodbye. I could do little more than shake it, say goodbye in return and watch him leave. I really did like watching him leave.