Chapter 2

The following morning Andrew dutifully returned his library book. Katherine did not serve him but caught his eye and winked. He grinned back and gave her a slight bow. He finished his business and turned to leave.

"Mr Whitehead," she said. "Could I have a word in a minute?"

"Yes of course."

He waited until she had finished with her customer and went over. She came out from behind the counter and led him a little way off.

"Um," she said shyly. "Would you give me the address of your online book club. I'd ... er ... rather like to read your 'saga'."

Andrew looked at her silently for a moment. "I've expurgated the first two books but haven't posted them. You might prefer them to the originals. If you would be prepared to tell me your email address I could send them to you and the second two later if you feel you want to read them."

"OK."

He wrote the address in his notebook. "I'll get them off to you as soon as I get home."

"Thank you."

She went back to work and he left the library.

He was as good as his word and then went off to play squash with a friend. He had a leisurely evening listening to music, ate an early supper and then settled down to do some writing. He was having problems with his current story. It had an unhappy middle section and he was finding it difficult but felt he had to labour on.

Around eleven he sat back with a sigh and decided to check his email before going to bed. There was one from Katherine. Excitedly he opened it.

"Finished the first," it read. "Much enjoyed it but suspect it was little more than an intro. Easy to read, characters that come alive and amusing. On, on. Can't resist it after that tweaker at the end."

"Good," he thought. "I guess she'll enjoy the next part even more."

He replied. "Glad you enjoyed it. I think/hope you'll enjoy the next even more."

Up at a reasonable time the next morning he went for his usual run and then after a shower and breakfast checked to see whether Katherine had indeed the read on.

"Brute!!" she had written. "Couldn't leave it so didn't get to bed until after three. Loved it. Super love story. Foul father but all well in the end. Please let me have the other two. Pleeease!!!"

Andrew was delighted. "For those kind words you deserve a reward. Pub lunch? Ring me ##### ######." He wrote.

She rang ten minutes later. "Andrew, that was brilliant," were her first words. "Thank you so much for letting me read it. I should be offering you lunch."

"No, I offered first. Is the answer yes?"

"Yes please."

"Great. Well I thought we'd go to the Trout. Do you know it?"

"No. I've heard of it but I've never been there."

"Well how about I pick you up about half past twelve? Tell me where you live."

"Oh you don't want to do that. I'll meet you there."

"Are you sure? It would save a bit of time."

"No problem. See you at twelve thirty. 'Bye!"

Andrew was rather surprised that he was really rather excited. He was also surprised that he had asked her in the first place. Certainly he'd liked her from the word go and had enjoyed her company on Friday evening. He just hoped he did not appear to her to be coming on too strong too early. It would probably all peter out again after she had read the rest.

He was at the pub early to ensure that Katherine was not embarrassed at being in a pub on her own. It was a pleasant day so, despite the traffic, he waited for her at one of the tables outside the front door. He smiled to himself when he saw her arrive five minutes late. She was not taking any chances either.

He stood up as she approached with a huge smile and dipped him a curtsey.

"Hail, Master of the Pen!" she said and then got the giggles.

"Monkey!" laughed Andrew and took her hand. "What I suggest is that we go and get a drink and take it out into the back garden. We can order a little later unless you're in a bit of a rush."

"No rush at all. That sounds a good idea."

They did just that, Katherine having a ginger beer shandy and Andrew a pint of bitter. Nothing more was said until they were seated.

"Thank you again for letting me read those two stories," she said.

"Nonsense! They were written to be read."

"Yes but the expurgated editions. I'd guess from its length that you had to prune the first quite hard."

Andrew nodded.

"From what was still there I think I'd have had trouble with the original."

"Probably."

"Did you have to prune the last two as well?"

Andrew shook his head. "I was a reformed character by then."

"Were you always going to write a series?"

"No. The first one was going to be a one off and was triggered by my divorce. Divorces are messy and there can be repercussions for years so I thought it better to write about someone suffering from bereavement."

"Was your divorce messy? Sorry! I should never have asked."

Andrew smiled. "Don't worry. It was a long time ago and actually it wasn't. Unpleasant at the time but once the decree absolute came through it was all over." His smile changed to a wry grin. "It certainly doesn't appear to have upset my ex. She's what you might call adventurous and is now on husband number four."

"Ouch!"

"Very at the time. I'm just thankful that I discovered her proclivities early on."

"Poor you even so. And you're still single."

He nodded. "Once bitten twice very shy."

"I can understand. Let's drop the subject. I'm being nosy. Do you live in Pitsbury?"

"No, I've got a little two bed-roomed cottage about a mile and a half up the road. It's the wrong side of Pitsbury for getting to Southampton every day but I quickly discovered a cross-country route which is relatively traffic free and I quite enjoy my drives when it's light."

"It's funny. I never dreamt of you working at Southampton. When you said you were a barrister I immediately assumed you'd be in London."

Andrew smiled. "No we largely support the Western Circuit as it's called so I can avoid going up to The Smoke. Where do you live?"

"Comberton Heath. One bed-roomed council flat, second floor so fifty-six stairs."

Andrew chuckled. "No wonder you're so slim."

"Right! And I walk to and from work every day."

"Is that a good idea in winter?"

"Not very. If it's really cold I catch a bus."

"Actually I was thinking more of safety. Comberton Heath has got a bit of a reputation."