Jess arrived early at the George & Dragon. Despite the bad memory of her parting from Dan there, she still loved the welcoming feel of the beamed old pub on the water. She parked facing the river and watched the swans swimming gracefully by. Just as she was worrying about how cold they must be in the icy water, she heard a tap on her window. Sam was smiling in.
‘I love swans! Bless them in that cold water,’ she announced through the crack in her car window.
Sam laughed. He’d always loved Jess’s sense of humour. She got out of the car and he kissed her on both cheeks. ‘Hello, stranger. Kissed any unsuspecting 007s recently?’
‘Oh God, I’m never going to live that down, am I?’ She laughed, blushing.
‘Nope.’ Sam replied. ‘Not often a man gets accosted by Wonder Woman on a dark night.’
Sam went to the bar to buy drinks. She looked him up and down. He really was a very handsome man. He obviously looked after himself, she thought, noticing how pert his bum was. His smart hair cut complimented his designer clothes. She loved the fact that he also was a complete gentleman. Sam put their drinks on the table and sat down.
‘Guessing you’re really busy at the moment then, as we haven’t seen you at the barn?’
‘God yeah it’s been frantic, but the money will come in handy. Have been saving to go and see my brother in Australia in January,’ Jess replied.
‘Wow that’s fantastic, Jess.’
‘Yeah, I can’t wait, three whole weeks. I’m meeting him in Brisbane and he’s going to show me some of the East Coast.’ Jess took a sip of her wine. ‘How about Lemon – you busy at the moment?’
‘Well it’s quietened down a bit for Christmas, but got a big gig coming up for a telecoms company in April that I’m sure we’ll need your help on.’
‘That’s good news, I’ll get in touch when I’m back from Oz and you can brief me on it then.’ They tucked into their lunch.
‘So, have you sorted your man troubles then?’ Sam asked out of the blue.
Jess nearly choked on her pasta. Never would she tell anyone about her and Dan, their pact would still remain even now it was over. ‘Yes, I have thanks. Picked the wrong one as usual. It was just all a bit raw around my birthday and in the wise words of my father: when the demon drink is in, the wit is out.’
‘In your case, it was nearly the whip’s out!’ He still regretted not staying with Jess that night and was actually amazed that he had resisted. Jess laughed out loud. As she did, she looked closely at Sam’s mouth and crinkly eyes. His lips were full and soft. She actually didn’t think she’d mind kissing them again. Sam insisted they both have puddings and coffee. By the time they left got out to the car park, Jess could hardly walk for food.
‘Thanks so much Sam, I feel like a stuffed turkey.’
‘Pleasure, my dear,’ he replied. ‘Um, Jess, I was wondering if you maybe would like to go out for dinner one night before Christmas?’
‘Sam Beresford, I do believe you are inviting me on a date?’ It was Sam’s turn to blush. ‘No just dinner, Jessica Morley.’
‘I’d love to Sam but I’m only free this time next week though, loads of events on.’
‘Next Friday it is then, be ready for seven.’ Sam intercepted immediately. ‘I’ll send a car to pick you up from home.’