Chapter 12

Enjoy their date they did. The pub impressed Sharon. It was so different from her own urban local. It was low roofed and beamy. It was noisy but there were no rowdies. There was a complete mixture of people: local farm workers, retired people, young marrieds. In fact, all sorts whereas her local pub was restricted to people who lived nearby but there was always an element of violence lurking whether from somebody who had drunk too much or from young men out to prove themselves. She revelled in the atmosphere and, more importantly, relaxed.

She also marvelled at Richard. That he would do this for her! Risking his reputation too by taking her out in public, not that it appeared that anyone recognised him. But that was the least of it. His kindness and generosity left her amazed. And yet it seemed so natural. "I'd do this for any of my friends" he had said. Wow! No wonder Rachel had loved him so much. And she, Sharon, was one of his friends! She knew he didn't love her and almost certainly never would but that would not stop her from loving him and ensuring the best she could for him even though that might hurt.