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Sam said, “Let’s have some food before you tell us what you’ve found. Jake, take Maggie through to the dining room. Can you set the table too? Thanks.”
Jake’s grin was wide as he said to Maggie, “What do you think about Dad’s house?”
“It’s...” Maggie searched for the best words she could find. “Interesting. And unique.” She followed Jake as he left the kitchen.
Jake laughed. “And very boring. I don’t know why he doesn’t do anything with it. I keep telling him to do something, but I think he can’t be bothered.” He entered a room to the left. “Don’t get your expectations up, but this is the dining room.”
Maggie saw the table and four chairs standing sadly in the middle of the room. There was a chest of drawers underneath a small window. There was a plain, beige blind at the window. It was closed as if the room didn’t want the outside room to see how sad and unloved it looked.
Jake pulled a drawer open and took out pieces of cutlery along with beige-coloured place mats. He placed them on the table, and then looked at Maggie. “This is the most depressing room in the world. We usually eat in the kitchen, but Dad’s trying to impress you.”
“Is he? With this?” Maggie waved her hand around the room.
Jake nodded. “He’s trying his best. He hasn’t dated anyone since he split up with Mum.”
“Dating? We’re not dating. We’re just friends. And people who work together. Your dad has decided to take me on permanently.”
“Of course he has.” Jake gave her a long look. “I can tell you like him. And I know he likes you. Why don’t you do something about it? You can’t mess about at your ages. If you’re waiting for Dad to ask you out, you’ll be waiting a long time. He doesn’t do anything in a rush. Look at his house. It’s taking him forever to get it furnished. You should ask him out. He’ll say yes.”
“I...I...” Maggie shrugged. “I don’t know what to say. I’ve never asked anyone out before.”
Sam came into the room wearing oven gloves and carrying a large dish. He gave Maggie a sharp look. “Who are you asking out?”
“No one. No one at all,” Maggie quickly replied. “Can I help you with anything? Is there anything to bring through from the kitchen?”
“You can bring the plates through, thanks.” He placed the dish on a mat in the middle of the table.
Maggie rushed out of the room. All this talk about dating was making her hot and bothered. And she didn’t like that feeling at all. She collected some plates from the kitchen and returned to the dining room.
Sam was just coming out and they almost collided.
“Excuse me,” Sam said. He moved to the left.
“No, excuse me.” Maggie moved the same way.
Sam moved the other way, just as Maggie did the same.
“Oh, we’re having a little dance,” Maggie said awkwardly. “You keep still, and I’ll move.”
They finally went different ways. Maggie’s cheeks were aflame. Things had suddenly turned difficult between her and Sam. Perhaps they should remain friends and leave dating out of it. Dating made everything complicated.
She felt Jake’s glance on her as she put the plates down. He was sitting in one of the chairs with his arms folded, watching her every move.
As Maggie put the last plate down, she gave him a direct look. “Something wrong?”
“I’m saying nothing.”
Sam came back into the room carrying a tray with a wine bottle, glasses and a can of beer for Jake. Maggie took her glass with thanks, and somehow, she managed to refrain from taking a huge gulp. She needed to keep her wits about her.
Sam dished out the food. “Tuck in everyone. I hope you like it.”
Maggie did like it. Very much. “This is delicious,” she declared.
Sam laughed. “Don’t sound so surprised. Help yourself to more. There’s plenty. I can give you some to take home too.”
Jake raised one eyebrow at his dad, grinned a little, and then resumed eating.
They were quiet as they ate. Maggie noted it was a comfortable silence.
When Maggie’s plate was empty, she leaned back in her chair, and said, “I can’t remember the last time I had such a good meal. Thank you so much.” She took a sip of wine.
“You are more than welcome. Would you like some more? How about more wine?”
“No to the food, but perhaps a little more wine.”
“Of course.” He smiled at her as he poured more wine into her glass.
Jake pushed his empty plate to one side. “Are we ready to talk about Harvey Chester yet? Or should I leave you two alone?”
Maggie didn’t really feel like talking about Harvey Chester. Having a full stomach was making her drowsy.
Sam stood up. “Let’s go through to the living room. It’s more cosy in there.”
“I wouldn’t use that word,” Jake said as he grabbed his beer. “But I need the TV. I’ve got some videos to show you.”
Maggie started to gather the empty plates up.
Sam put a hand on her arm. “Leave that. Jake can do it later.”
“I can?” Jake asked.
“Yes. Thanks for offering, son.”
They went into the living room which wasn’t cosy at all. There was a four-seater sofa and two armchairs. They were beige. A huge TV took up a good portion of one wall. A low table was in front of the sofa. Not surprisingly, it was beige too.
Maggie sat in the middle of the sofa and put her glass on the table using the coaster there. Sam sat on her left, and put his glass down too.
Jake smirked a little before flopping into one of the armchairs. He took his phone out, looked over at them, and said, “Ready? This isn’t going to be pretty.”