The two days following the Hanratty’s outing seemed to pass in slow motion for Charlie, left alone with his thoughts, as he reflected on recent events.
He acknowledged
he had been attracted to her since they first met back in March but as she was
the first one, he’d thought of in that way since his wife had passed, he had
been reluctant to go too fast, but their relationship had taken a turn, partly
because the work had become a lot less frenetic.
Toddy had also
felt something from the beginning, but she had never thought of anyone in that
way in her life, her only relationship had been with God, so she had no idea
how to proceed, but they were so comfortable in each other’s company it was
inevitable that they should end up going on a proper date.
Which was what
Chloe had envisaged all along when she put them in each other’s orbits and now
the date was arranged Chloe made sure Toddy was ready for it.
So, for Toddy
time didn’t hang quite so heavily as she was whisked from pillar to post in
order that she should make the best of her fifty-five-year-old self.
Toddy thought
they were making a fuss about going to dinner with an amiable companion, but
she did enjoy all the pampering.
On Friday
evening a nervous Charlie drove to the Vicarage at 7.30.
The reasons he
was nervous were various, firstly because he was having second thoughts, not
about wanting to take her to dinner, he very much wanted that, his second
thoughts were more about the nature of the evening.
For two days he
was convinced it wasn't just a dinner date but an actual date, however his
insecurities stemmed from the thought that for Toddy it might just be dinner.
Another reason
was more far reaching, was he ready at his time of life to embark on another
relationship should dinner lead to something more substantial and finally what
should he wear, it was a nice restaurant so casual was inappropriate, but
equally he didn't want to overdress either for the venue or more importantly to
overshadow Toddy who having spent all of her adult life in a convent was
unaccustomed to somewhere like the Kissing Angel, and he wondered if he should
have chosen somewhere more pub grub than fine dining to put her at her ease.
He decided
against a suit and settled on a Blazer and slacks and an open necked shirt,
though he had a tie in his pocket if the need arose.
He knocked on
the front door of the Vicarage and after a moment or two the door was opened by
his sister Chloe
“Hello Charlie”
she said and kissed him then she pushed open the door “she's all ready for you”
Toddy was
standing in the hallway and when she looked up, she smiled at him
“Hello” she
said
“Hi” he
responded “You look lovely”
She was wearing
a knee-length cornflower blue dress, with blue tights and navy-blue court
shoes.
“Thank you” she
responded and blushed
When she was
working in the garden, she had always worn dungarees or cargo pants, and on
their outings and shopping expeditions she wore jeans or chinos, so he had
never seen her legs, but what he saw he liked.
It had been a
dry warm day so there was no need for a coat, but Verity placed a pashmina over
her shoulder and as a final touch Chloe handed her a clutch bag
“Enjoy your date” Chloe said, and Charlie and Toddy glanced at each
other, and she smiled before slipping her arm through his as the door closed,
and they began to walk towards the car.
He opened the
passenger door for her and said:
“I couldn’t
help noticing that you have legs, I didn’t realize you had legs”
“Yes, I don’t get
them out very often” she replied
“You should, they’re
very nice,” he said and closed the door”
As they drove
through the village she suddenly asked, “Is it?”
“Is it what?”
“Chloe said “Enjoy
your date” as we left, is it?”
“I was hoping
it was” he replied
“Good so was I”
she said and looked at him coyly
He had never
eaten at the Kissing Angel before, but he had heard very good things and it
didn’t disappoint, it was lovely and had a soothing ambiance and was cozy and
intimate.
“It’s very
classy” she whispered once they were settled
“It is, and it
suits you very well” he said, and she blushed
“I thought it
appropriate for our first date”
“Are there
going to be more then?” she asked
“I hope so” he replied,
and she smiled
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