Second Chances || Thomas McGregor

S I X

The drive went smoothly as long as the man behind the wheel kept his eyes forward.

I wonder if all Englanders were this strange.

The road soon changed into pave stone as we entered the mini city. Old buildings lined the street and every now and then people would walk by. At an intersection we turned left, rounding a large gardening shop. "Wow looks like these people really love their gardens, maybe they have an extermination guide as well."

"Why... Why do you say that?" The man faltered, sounding increasingly nervous; for reasons I can only fathom.

"I don't know. I was never really the one for large rodents, if you know what I mean."

"Ah, yes I do. When I first came here there were these... rabbits that never left me alone. I tried to kill them once but it resulted in them rigging my house to be an electrocution ward. Every doorknob I touched had somehow been connectedto the electric fence that I had put up around my house." He finished with a nervous laugh.

"My, my you do have troubles. If it makes you feel any better I once had a rat infestation in my kitchen. I was worried that the inspectors from the food and safety division would put me out of business so I decided to pick up on a skill. Knife throwing," McGregor's eyes widened, "I had an employee that had a knack for that kind of trade and learned from him on how to throw knives. I got the hang of it after a couple of months and decided to exterminate all the rats myself. If you called a company to do it, then the event would be recorded, don't want that now do we. It worked pretty well if I say so myself."

Thomas had parked once I was done retelling my tale and turned to me with a surprised expression.

"So you threw knifes around the kitchen?"

"Well...yes. That is what I am implying. I hit each target with exact precision. It was a way for me to rid the pests while not drawing attention to any health inspectors. But I only did it after all the employees and customers had left. Don't worry about the cleanliness of the kitchen; I myself am a very conscientious person when pertaining to others health" I formed a small smile in attempts to lighten the mood. But he just sat there, his hands on the wheel even though the car was already parked. "Mr. McGregor...I mean... Thomas, are you all right? Looking a little too deep in thought there!" I chipped, hoping to snap his dazed look.

"Yeah, yeah. Just never met someone with uhm... how do I put this... unique skills like yours." It was barley a whisper but you still heard it.

"Well I think you should get used to it. It's not like every lady wants flowers and cuddles all the time." And with that I opened the car door with crutch in hand to, as gracefully as possible, stumble out of the car.

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Bea always wanted that.

Never in a day would she act remotely manly. Not that I was complaining or anything but she could get overly needy and sometimes I would need to take a walk outside to try and have some alone time.

More like space to breath.

It was a suffocating relationship but I thought that was how they were supposed to be. Attached to the hip with no breathing space, but Charlotte surprised me again. Not only was she sarcastic, but she was also good at something that only can be described as a peak skill.

Bea was the prime example of a flower, delicate, ruffled easily, and always needed attention or it might just wither behind your back.

But this girl I had only just met was so much different. In my life I had met many women, not romantically of course but I could tell straight away if they were cupcakes or not. Most of them were. But she was definitely different, different in a way that was good, interesting, not as constricting.

Noticing that the girl was staggering around like a lost puppy I exited my truck and made my way over to her, looping my arm around her right forearm.

"What in blazes do you think your doing!" She remarked, tensing at the contact her sweater sleeve had with mine.

"Well... since I am your supposed to be your guide, I think that letting you not get lost is my most important goal. I will show you around and things like that. I know how foreigners get lost easily." I boasted, remembering every lost person that wondered into my former occupancy, looking for directions.

The girl slowly eased her tense structure as we strolled down the cobblestone sidewalk. I pointed out shops of mine that were my favorite: a small bookstore, the café, a shop full of antiques, and finally the farmers market that was held daily. "Well you should get some produce, I'll help you out-"

"Wow the great Thomas McGregor helping me out. Even after the tour, I thought you would leave me on the sidewalk to rot." A devious glint in her eyes as she shuffled past me.

"Ha ha. You truly are a first rate comedian do you know that?" A canny smile on my lips. We walked around the booths full of food, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce. I had these all at home, why bother to waste money on it.

I watched as the girl looked through the vegetables inspecting for flaws probably. I lay my hand on hers, trying to pry her attention away from searching. "I have all of these at home in my garden, you can use mine.''

"Are you sure, you must cook with them at some point-"

"But I don't eat all of them, most of them get eaten by those damn fur balls. It would be nice if you could take them off my hands." I beamed, maybe she could cook something five star.

Duh, she is the head chef of a famous restaurant.

I notice my hand still on hers and quickly retract it hoping she did not notice. Charlotte smirked and continued to walk around, her picking the item she deemed fit with me holding it for her. Once she had three bags full of fresh food I showed her the butcher's market.

Skinned rabbits and possums hung from the ceiling in the display case, this must be why I left out this place on my grand tour; the place always startled me. She bought pork, beef, and some fish, is this girl planning a feast? After paying she asked for ice to put over the meats so they don't rot on the way back to her home.

With four bags, one extremely cold, we made it back to my vehicle. I decided on putting them in the back with a rut sack, I had already in the truck, over the bags in case her produce decided to fly during the trip.

"You are being too kind McGregor. Some might say that you are being a pushover. You have treated me to a wonderful day and I don't think I can pay you enough for that." She expressed while we were ten minutes into the ride home.

"Actually I do have a form of payment."

"Oh really now? Tell me and maybe I will consider it." Teased the girl next to me.

"Consider it?" I chuckled. "Payment must be done, it is not a question of whether or not you want to do it."

"Go on with it then." She urged me, loosing patience with this bickering.

"I want you to make your favorite dish. It can be anything you want, I am not very picky." The sun was directly above us making the leaves and trees around us glow.

"I will do that. Sounds reasonable and not too daunting. When do you want your meal prepared... your majesty." Laughing uncontrollably as the last part of the sentence came out of her mouth.

"Really? Where do you come up with these things?" The beauty continued to laugh, dismissing my question. But to say I did not appreciate it would be wrong.

I hope I can keep this going.