Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound Chapter 13

Mum was deep into pointless, so didn't take much notice of me arriving and going to the kitchen, where I packed away my goods, glared at Tibbles eating her dinner or tea or whatever she called it, off an old china saucer sat on the dining table. The urge to... Don't go there, Cara, I warned myself. There was time to get one over on the cat.

I left the kitchen to prepare for my date, which meant more than a pair of jeans and top. No it was time to bring the big guns out. I would pay homage to dad's dislike of makeup and hairstyles. Plus I would bring out my designer clothing. I would wow Mr Grocer and show him what the local girls could look like.

I took my time, as I had it but like all planning the time ticked towards the time that Mathew said he would collect me. Mum had decided to have her tea while watching the news that had just started, which meant that Mathew was going to be late. I wasn't keen on men who couldn't be on time.

I went out to inform mum that I was going out and for this time she didn't have to stay up. Trying to get her attention from that new item of someone dying took some time, but she finally did and frowned at me.

'What's with this?' she asked me.

'Going out again, and this time do go to bed,' I ordered.

'Looks like you're going, what was it you called it, clubbing,' she remarked.

'Just with a friend,' I kind of lied.

'Look, Cara, I know you've come back here to help me, but going out every night isn't exactly helping me,' she pointed out as here was a knock on the door.

'Rest assure, mum, come Friday, I shall hold your hand and dress as soberly as dad would like, just make sure you check up on the weather,' I joked, which didn't go down that well as the knock came again.

I flew out the room and answered the door, not giving mum a chance to scolded me anymore. I was happy and that was what counted and looking Mark up and down I could say I'd forgive him for being late. He might be a mere grocer, but by god he did wash up well. Not quite in a suit and tie, but he had clearly made an effort to look the charming part.

'Sorry I'm late, I closed up later than I planned,' he apologised, as I shut the door behind me and allowed him to escort me down the steps to his awaiting car, an Audi, which impressed me compared to Gideon's rusty heap.

'Nice car,' I praised him, as he opened the door for me to lower myself into the plush seat.

Clearly the grocery market was a profitable one, I thought, as he rounded the front bonnet and slid himself into the driver's side like a true gent. He just smiled at me like he approved of my complement.

He then drove with care, not saying a word taking the same route that Rosie had taken but going sailing on by the Oak and well beyond the town's outskirts. I wasn't concerned about this. He clearly knew the area pretty well. Very soon he was parking outside a pub by the river, which was the boundary between Somerset and Devon.

'Hope this is going to be okay,' he said sincerely.

'Fine,' I assured him, allowing him to get out and open the door for me to slide out and stand up with class.

'We're a little early because I booked a table for seven,' he explained, offering me his arm, which I accepted with a smile.

'I'm sure we can have a drink before dinner,' I suggested, before we reached the entrance and he opened the door for us both.

We went into a snug like bar that led around into a more common bar. He asked me what I'd like to drink and considering the day I'd had with mum I went for a vodka and lime. He looked impressed with my choice, like he thought I was quite a lady to be drinking such a drink. He made his order and to my surprise he didn't have a beer or even a larger, like most locals would have. He asked for red wine. The way he was talking to the barman I assumed he came here a lot and was well known.