Bridge of Hope by Lisa J. Hobman Page A

doing it when I was nervous. “If I’d known…”
    “Look, don’t worry, you had no clue. How could you have? I’d had quite a bit to drink too, which I don’t think helped. Really, please don’t worry.” Her smile was warm and caring. I knew she was trying to stop me from feeling guilty, but I couldn’t help it.
    “I just felt so bad. I came round the day after.”
    “Yes, Josie said so. You don’t need to worry.”
    “Aye, but every time I speak to you, I put my foot in it.”
    Her eyes sparkled in the sunlight. I was fucking mesmerised. Her smile got wider. “Well, if it’s any consolation, up to that point in the evening I thought you were really good.”
    I felt heat rise in my cheeks. Now you have to understand, I don’t embarrass easily; but receiving a compliment from this gorgeous girl did something strange to me, and I suddenly felt like a school kid with a fucking crush.
    “Really? Thanks. I’m hoping to do it again soon. You should come along. Are there any other songs I should avoid?” I asked with a slight hint of a cringe.
    “No, just that one.”
    “Okay, noted. Keep a lookout for the blackboard at the pub… well, that is, when I’ve made one. Right, well, I’d better go. I’m off to fix a leaky tap at Colin’s. He tried to do it, but I think it’s something a bit more serious than he thought.” I rambled on about shite as usual and walked around to climb back in the Landy. “I’m glad you’re okay. Well, as okay as you can be, eh?”
    I fastened my seat belt and watched her as she fiddled with her hair, tucking it behind her ear. She was losing weight, and those sexy curves of hers were disappearing. Absentmindedly I wondered if she was eating.
    “Anyway, you should come up to the pub for some food sometime. Stella makes the best steak pie, and you’ve lost too much weight since you moved here, you’re looking like you could use a good meal.” As soon as the words left my fucking stupid mouth I clamped my hand over it.
    The ghost of a smile slipped from her lips, and her brow crumpled. Her gaze slowly drifted to the pavement beneath her feet.
    Too late, McBradden, you wanker. Removing my hand, I cringed. “Fuck. I really should just not talk to you, eh?” I shook my head, put the car into gear, and set off at speed, feeling like a complete and utter arse.
    Again.
    I began to think it was doubtful that I even had a brain-to-mouth filter. If I did, it needed new batteries or a good bloody clean out.
    Although Colin and Christine lived just over the way, I drove in the opposite direction. I was mortified at what I’d just said to the poor wee girl and couldn’t think straight. I glanced in my rearview mirror. She looked hurt . And I’d done that. She peered down at her body and pulled at her trousers where they hung from her hips. She began walking again and I turned to concentrate on the road.
    What an arsehole I was.
    As I drove I decided that there was no way she’d set foot in the damn pub again. I turned the car around and headed back to the village to Colin’s. Luckily by the time I’d driven off my feelings of mortification, Mallory and Ruby were nowhere to be seen and so I pulled up, grabbing my tool kit, and made my way into the shop.
    Colin was a great bloke in his late fifties with greying hair and kind eyes. He was fairly slim and a good few inches shorter than me. “Hey, have you seen anything of the new lassie recently? Mallory, I mean?”
    I scratched the back of my neck and cringed. “You could say that.”
    “Oh? Why do I detect a hint of negativity, Gregory?”
    I hesitated, firm in the knowledge that he’d berate me just as I’d done myself. “Well, you know the other night at the gig?”
    A wide smile appeared on his face. “Oh, yes. I meant to say to you how well it went. Chrissy and I loved it.”
    “Thanks. I wish I could say the same for Mallory.”
    His brow crumpled in confusion. “She seemed to be enjoying it… before she up and left