Page 14 of The Second Chance Supper Club

Will stepped in, Cath had to admit rather gentlemanly. ‘Well, we had a minor scrape, that was all. Car bumpers. No real damage done.’

Cath was thankful that he’d explained it briefly and politely at least. ‘Yeah, that’s about the sum of it.’

Both managed a slightly uncomfortable smile.

Cath was sure she heard Nikki utter, ‘Awkward’, under her breath.

‘A glass of fizz then, Will?’ Cath held the bottle aloft, swiftly moving the conversation and the focus on. After pouring his drink, she made sure her own glass had plenty of fizz. She had a feeling she was going to need it.

With all the guests now arrived, and after several minutes chatting and sipping sparkling wine in the kitchen, Cath suggested they head on up the garden to make the most of the evening sun, still keeping quiet about her summerhouse supper club venue. Leading the way up the garden steps, she felt a buzz of anticipation.

Nikki was the first to notice. ‘Oh, my, what’s this? Is that Reggie’s old garden shed? It looks amazing. You’ve given it a right revamp. Oh, lads, look at this … and it’s all set up so gorgeously inside.’ She peeked in, smiling broadly.

‘Crikey, last time I saw this outhouse, it was rotting away,’ added Dan.

‘Have you done all this?’ Andreas’s mouth gaped open. ‘Yep, all my own work.’ Cath felt herself brimming with pride. ‘Welcome to your supper venue for this evening.’

‘Amazing!’ Nikki was gobsmacked.

‘Well done you, it looks really great,’ added Will, with a flicker of a smile.

The table was set with a white linen cloth, her best cutlery and floral paper napkins. The bud vases were filled with their country-garden flowers, the scent delicate and fragrant, along with the potted herbs up high in a row, and the finishing touch of the tealights helped capture the pretty country-casual theme. And, in the sun’s soft glow, her green cut-glass tumblers (brought from the Roundhay semi) and the matching jug filled with iced water and lemon slices, glinted in the light.

‘You dark horse. Well, that’s it, Daniel, we need to up our game. The shop’s outhouse might need an overhaul now.’ Andreas chuckled warmly.

‘We’ve got enough on our plates, don’t you think, hun?’ Dan said to Andreas. Turning to Cath, he added, ‘But I must say it looks fabulous, petal.’

‘Well, thank you. Now feel free to take your seats and get cosy. Dan, perhaps if you two pop over there. Nikki, Will, you two go opposite.’ Cath had decided on this seating plan earlier, putting the lads together at one side of the table with Nikki and Will on the other. That way, she could place herself at one end – declaring that she’d need to hop in and out of the kitchen – deliberately positioning herself next to Nikki rather than Will, to save any potentially difficult moments with the merry widower. And thank Christ for that; he was absolutely not so bloody ‘merry’ now that he had been revealed as Mr Grumpy!

After a top-up of fizz, and some easy-going small talk, Cath felt it was time to start serving some food. ‘I’ll just nip back to the house and bring the starter platters up.’

‘Can I give you a hand?’ offered Mr Grumpy … oops, Will, politely.

‘Ah, thanks but I’ll be fine.’ She really didn’t want to find herself facing any awkward kitchen conversations at this point. She was still recovering from the shock of seeing ‘Mr Grumpy’ turn up on her doorstep.

Cath had to admit the platters looked good as she carried them up to the summerhouse. The dishes were greeted with smiles, and a ‘Wow, that looks delicious’ from Dan, and a ‘Scrumptious’ from Nikki.

‘So, what’s everyone been up to this week, so far?’ Cath asked, as they dug in to the cheese, chutneys, crackers and charcuterie. Andreas started, ‘Been full on with the shop, had our usual trip down to the suppliers, and then fitted in a few visits to Mama, of course.’

‘Oh, and don’t forget we had that stocktaking evening too … thrilling,’ added Dan.

‘The giddy life we lead.’ Andreas was smiling, as though steady as it was, they were both happy to be doing it.

‘Cleaning, cleaning, and more effing cleaning for me – all day at work, then sorting out the mess from my lot at home. Oh, and then throw in a bit of cooking and washing. Tonight is certainly the highlight of my week so far!’ Nikki added.

Will said, ‘And I’ve had a good few days at the shop. Kept myself busy.’

‘Oh, so you have a shop, too?’ Cath was curious.

‘Yeah, more of a repair place really … bicycles. It’s over in Kirkton, just past the garage there.’

‘Ah yes, I think I’ve seen it.’

‘The Cycle Man. Very original …’ He gave a wry smile.

‘Does what it says on the tin,’ added Dan with a grin. ‘He’s good, and doesn’t charge silly money, I can vouch for it.’

‘Yeah, it’s quite a new venture for me, but it’s going okay.’