‘Mum…’ Bonnie began slowly. ‘When you see who is picking me up, don’t get any funny ideas about it being a date. It’s just a drink together, a one off, that’s all. Ok?’
Jeanie nodded with fake solemnity. ‘So who is this mystery man?’
Bonnie paused. ‘Max Delaney,’ she said quickly before shoving her head down to root earnestly in her bag.
‘Max? Delivery Max?’
‘Mmm,’ Bonnie said.
‘I thought he was going out with that Sarah?’
‘He was… is… I don’t know. But we’re not going on a date so it doesn’t matter who he is or isn’t going out with.’
‘I think it does. What does Sarah think about this non-date?’
‘I have no idea.’
‘But he’s going to tell her?’
‘It has nothing to do with her. It’s not a date and he’s not seeing her anymore anyway.’
‘You just said he was,’
‘He’s not.’
‘You don’t sound so sure.’
Bonnie held up a hand to quiet her mum. She was just about to reply when there was a knock at the door.
‘That’ll be him now.’ Bonnie grimaced. ‘Please don’t give him the Spanish inquisition when he comes in.’
‘My lips are sealed.’
Bonnie threw her a warning look and went to get the door.
Max stepped in. ‘You look great, Bon,’ he said cheerfully, kissing Bonnie lightly on both cheeks.
‘I’ll just get my jacket,’ she said, flushing with pleasure.
‘No problem.’ Max followed Bonnie to the living room, stopping in the doorway as he saw Jeanie on the sofa.
‘Oh, hello…’ he said awkwardly, sticking his hands deep in his pockets as though if he put them in far enough, they could somehow swallow the rest of him too.
‘I’m babysitting while you go out on your friendly drink,’ Jeanie said carelessly. ‘How’s Sarah, by the way?’
Max blushed. ‘She’s good… We’re not together, actually,’ he added quickly. ‘Just friends now.’
Jeanie nodded slowly. ‘Just friends. Like you are with Bonnie?’
‘Mum…’ Bonnie cut in, ‘can you just come into the kitchen so I can show you what Paige is having for supper?’ She raised her eyebrows and nodded her head towards the door in an exaggerated gesture. Jeanie gave Max a saccharine smile and got up to follow her.
As they stepped into the kitchen, Bonnie closed the door behind them.
‘What are you doing?’ Bonnie hissed. ‘I asked you not to grill him.’
‘I don’t see what he has to hide.’
‘Nothing! He has nothing to hide but you’re making him feel uncomfortable.’
‘Because I don’t want you hurt again.’
Bonnie waved a hand at her. ‘You were the one that said I should start dating again!’
‘You said this wasn’t a date,’ Jeanie shot back.
Bonnie sighed. ‘We’re going for a drink, that’s it. There’s no need to worry.’
‘But I do. If he’s already led Sarah a merry dance, then who’s to say he won’t do that with you? I won’t be here soon to pick up the pieces if you get messed around by another man.’ Jeanie reached out and smoothed a stray lock of hair behind Bonnie’s ear. ‘All I’m saying, in my own ham-fisted way, is that you should be careful.’
‘I know, Mum. And I will be. There is absolutely no danger of me and Max becoming an item, so put your mind at rest now... ok?’
Jeanie arched an eyebrow and looked Bonnie up and down meaningfully. ‘For someone who is treating this as a simple friendly drink, you’ve made quite an effort.’
‘This old dress?’ Bonnie said trying to play down Jeanie’s observation. ‘I just got it out to get the moths drunk.’ She leaned over to kiss Jeanie on the cheek. ‘I won’t be late. Don’t let Paige cheek you back too often.’
***
‘I thought we were just going for a drink?’ Bonnie said as Max pulled up on the car park of the La Bella Roma restaurant.
‘We are,’ Max said, yanking the handbrake on. ‘We might just get some pasta with that drink.’
‘It’s expensive here,’ Bonnie frowned, glancing through the car window at the brightly lit building.
‘It’s on me.’
‘I can’t let you do that…’
Max held up a hand. ‘I said I wanted to take you out and I’m happy to pay. If this is the only chance I’m going to get then we might as well make it good.’
‘I don’t feel right not paying my half,’ Bonnie pressed.
‘We’ll share a plate if you’re worried.’ Max turned to her with his most charming grin. Something fluttered inside Bonnie but she swallowed the feeling down.
‘Cheapskate,’ she quipped.
Max clambered out of the car and sped around to the passenger door, opening it for Bonnie with a low bow. ‘Madame…’
Bonnie giggled. ‘Wow, if I had known how charming you were out of your delivery overalls I’d have gone out with you years ago.’
‘I’m like the Hulk, only in reverse,’ he grinned, ‘by day a grumpy Neanderthal, by night a sophisticated man-about-town.’ He offered Bonnie an arm. She took it. Max noticed her shiver slightly. ‘You’re cold?’ he asked.
She nodded. ‘A little bit. But it’s hardly very far and it’s my fault I came out in a stupid dress and a tiny cotton coat.
‘Here…’ he whipped off his jacket and hung it around her shoulders. ‘Better?’
Bonnie looked up at him gratefully. He had made an effort to muss his hair stylishly and wore a suit cut from expensive looking wool, teamed with a charcoal grey granddad shirt that complimented his blonde hair and created an air of casual, effortless elegance. Bonnie sniffed a little at his jacket. It smelled amazing and the scent of his woody aftershave filled her head, setting off that butterfly in her stomach again.
‘I am actually quite hungry,’ she said, trying to take her mind off the naughty little creature that was plaguing her. ‘Which makes me quite a pig as I had something to eat when I got in from work.’
‘That’s over three hours ago,’ Max said gallantly, looking at his watch. ‘They say the best way to eat is a little every couple of hours or so.’
‘Who says that?’ Bonnie laughed as they made their way across the car park to where the restaurant’s wide glass windows revealed the plush interior and well-dressed diners already tucking into their meals. ‘Clearly people who have backsides the size of Greater Manchester.’
Max laughed out loud. ‘I think it might be some very well respected scientist, actually. But I like your version better.’ He opened the door for Bonnie and she stepped in.
‘I’ve never been in here before,’ she whispered as they waited for someone to greet them.
‘Me neither,’ Max whispered back. ‘But I’m told it’s very nice.’
Bonnie pondered this information for a moment. So he had never brought Sarah here? It seemed strange, considering how keen he had appeared to be on her. This seemed like a much more obvious choice than Blossom Palace for a romantic rendezvous, nice as that place was. Romance was definitely off the menu tonight though. He felt sorry for Bonnie, obviously, because he knew how broke she always was; he wanted to do something nice for her because he was Max and that was the sort of thing Max would do. To imagine there was anything more to it than that was silly.
A waiter approached them with a warm smile.
‘You have reservations?’ he asked with the merest hint of an Italian accent.
‘Yes,’ Max replied, ‘Do you think this shirt works with these trousers?’
The waiter stared at them uncomprehendingly as Bonnie stifled a giggle. ‘Sorry, ignore me. I’ve booked in the name of Delaney.’
The man consulted a folder on a desk near the door and then nodded. ‘This way please,’ he said smoothly as he led them to a cosy table with two seats near a window that overlooked a grove of trees strung with fairy lights.
‘Sense of humour malfunction there, eh? I thought it was funny anyway,’ Bonnie said, inclining her head at the waiter. Max gave her a grateful smile.
Once they were seated, the waiter handed them a menu each. Bonnie beamed as she looked around. ‘It’s gorgeous in here. I could get used to this sort of luxury.’
‘Salmon paste sarnies will seem a bit of a disappointment tomorrow.’
‘They will,’ Bonnie laughed. ‘Just like my Pot Noodle.’
‘You could come again if you like it tonight,’ Max said.
‘On my wages?’
‘I’d love to bring you again.’
Bonnie’s eyebrows knitted together, but she couldn’t help the smile that played at the corners of her mouth.
‘Oh yeah,’ Max said with a sheepish smile, ‘just one date to shut Linda up.’
Bonnie put the menu up to her face so that he couldn’t see her and grinned broadly. When she dropped it again, her face was stony straight but Max was grinning at her instead. ‘Can you see that menu ok?’
‘Yeah, but it’s all in foreign, see?’ Bonnie said, putting on her best squeaky bimbo voice.
‘Why don’t we live dangerously and order something at random?’ Max said with a cheeky look.
Bonnie pulled her face. ‘What if we get squid or something?’
‘That’s part of the fun. You should take risks once in a while; you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.’ As Max said this, he looked at her suddenly as if his whole life depended on her answer.
Bonnie felt herself colour. ‘Sometimes you get nasty shocks too.’
Their moment of clarity seemed to disappear as quickly as it had come, and the conversation returned to their easy banter.
‘Perhaps you should get one of the waiters to translate then, I’d hate to see you struggle with a fried octopus leg,’ Max laughed.
‘Hmmm,’ Bonnie replied. ‘Easier to manage than one of Fred’s tempers.’
‘Or being locked in a fridge,’ Max added.
The waiter approached their table. ‘Would you care to order drinks now?’
Max looked at Bonnie. ‘I’m driving so it will have to be mineral water for me. How about you?’
Bonnie thought about the last time she had been steaming drunk in Max’s presence, how very near she had been to saying or doing something she would have regretted afterwards. ‘Perhaps I should stick to orange juice, as Paige will be waiting with a rolling pin and a breathalyser when I get home.’
‘One or two won’t hurt,’ Max said looking up at the waiter with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. ‘Do you have a nice champagne?’
‘Max, no –’
‘One date – you promised, remember? If this is the first and last, let me enjoy it by treating you.’
Bonnie relaxed. ‘How can I argue with that?’ she smiled. ‘There’s an extra biscuit with your tea on Monday, that’s for sure.’
Max returned his attention to the waiter who then took his cue to rattle off a list of their champagnes along with the price of each bottle.
Bonnie frowned slightly at Max. ‘If you insist on buying some, please humour me and don’t get the most expensive.’
‘Which do you recommend?’ Max asked the waiter, ignoring her.
The waiter hesitated for a moment, glancing between the two of them, clearly torn. ‘The Mumm Cordon Rouge is very good and excellent value for money.’
‘We’ll have that one,’ Bonnie said before Max had time to reply.
The waiter nodded. ‘Would you like a little longer with the menu?’
‘How about the waiter recommends something for us?’ Max cut in gallantly. ‘What do you fancy?’
‘Maybe chicken? Not too creamy with the sauce.’
Would madam perhaps enjoy chicken a al cacciatore?’ The waiter asked. ‘It is a tomato based dish, with a little piquancy.’
Bonnie looked at Max enquiringly.
‘You like a bit of spice, don’t you?’ Max grinned.
‘Shut up,’ Bonnie said, biting back a grin of her own. ‘It sounds lovely, I’ll order that.’
‘Would madam care for a starter?’
‘Bonnie shook her head. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘Yes she would,’ Max cut in. ‘We’ll have the sharing bruschetta platter.’
‘I thought you said you hadn’t been here before,’ Bonnie said arching an eyebrow.
‘I haven’t. I just checked the menu online before I came to pick you up. I wanted to be sure it was classy enough.’ He glanced up at the waiter. ‘No offence, mate.’
The waiter nodded, ‘None taken, sir.’
Max turned his attention back to the menu. ‘I’ll have the seafood linguine. As long as it doesn’t include any live octopus...’
The waiter gave them a confused look and then smiled knowingly. ‘There is no octopus on the menu tonight. Chef lost a wrestling match with one and it refused to go into the pot.’
Max burst out laughing. ‘That’s a relief then!’
The waiter took their menus and glided away.
‘Looks like he found his sense of humour after all,’ said Bonnie. She added in a whisper, ‘This is going to cost you a small fortune.’
‘I know,’ Max said. ‘I’ll have to add it to Fred’s bill next week.’
‘He’d love that, he says you’re dear enough already.’
‘Actually, I wanted to take you somewhere more expensive than this, but I knew you wouldn’t let me. I’ve been waiting long enough.’
‘Don’t be daft,’ Bonnie laughed lightly, digging her phone out of her bag in case Paige or her mum needed her.
‘I mean it.’
Bonnie narrowed her eyes. ‘It wasn’t you that put Linda up to the fridge stunt?’
Max gave her a look of mock affront. ‘Of course not! How could you suggest such a thing?’
‘Don’t bull me, Max.’
Max put his hand on his chest. ‘I swear it was nothing to do with me. But Linda did me a huge favour.’
‘Hmmm, I’ll believe you, thousands wouldn’t.’
The waiter returned with the champagne and opened it with a flourish. He poured a glass for Bonnie before leaving them. She took a sip.
‘Wow! That’s amazing.’
‘That’s good,’ Max took the bottle from the ice bucket and gave it a swish, ‘because you have to drink all this.’
‘Ruddy hell, you’ll be carrying me to the car.’
‘Don’t worry; I’m used to lugging huge weights around.’
‘Cheeky bugger!’ Bonnie slapped his arm and her phone pinged. She picked it up with a frown.
‘Everything ok?’ Max asked.
‘Yeah…’ Bonnie said distractedly as she opened the message. ‘I just don’t recognise the number.’ She was silent for a moment as she read it. The silence continued as she processed it.
U haven’t replied to my letters. Y not?
H
Bonnie felt the blood drain from her face.
‘You’re sure you’re ok?’ Max asked, his face now a mask of concern as he watched her put the phone back on the table without tapping out a reply.
Bonnie shook herself and tried to smile. ‘Something and nothing.’
‘Is it something I can help with?’
Unless you can offer a blow job to a teen heart throb in my place, then probably not. ‘I don’t think so,’ she replied.
‘You want to go home?’ Max asked earnestly. ‘I can take you if there’s trouble.’
Bonnie reached across the table and squeezed his hand. ‘Thanks, Max, but I’m finishing this champagne if it’s the last thing I do.’ She drew her hand away and lifted the glass to her lips, determined not to let Holden bloody Finn ruin her one and only date night with her mate Max.
***
The food at La Bella Roma was incredible, as it turned out, and Bonnie couldn’t remember a time when she had laughed so much. The champagne had helped, of course, the warm effervescence seeming to make the roots of her hair
tingle deliciously. As the evening wore on, Bonnie pushed all worries about Holden to the back of her mind, and concentrated on having a good time. Max had gone to so much trouble to make this a special treat for her, she at least owed him that.
Max himself became somehow more and more attractive the longer she spent in his company, and no matter how much Bonnie tried, she could think about little else. When the bill arrived, she watched Max settle it with a stab of regret that the night was almost over.
She wobbled slightly as he led her with a protective arm to the car. She hadn’t managed all the champagne, sadly, and had considered asking if she could take it home. It seemed like such a shame to leave it behind and it wasn’t likely that she’d ever drink something that good again, but in the end she hadn’t wanted to embarrass Max. She glanced at him as they walked the length of the car park. Usually she thought his height and his messy blonde hair made him look gangly, but tonight they gave him the air of a Byronic hero. It was the champagne, of course, but she felt a stirring, not like the infatuation she had felt for Holden Finn, but something like real, honest desire, something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
After Max had opened the car door and helped her in with a wry smile as she hiccupped, they began a quiet journey home, the joviality of the evening now replaced by weariness as the car and the alcohol lulled Bonnie to a half-sleep.
***
Max shook her gently.
‘I wasn’t asleep,’ Bonnie mumbled as she came to and found that the car had pulled up outside the apartment block where she lived.
‘Of course you weren’t,’ Max grinned.
‘I was resting my eyes.’
‘Booze does make your eyes very heavy.’
‘I’m not drunk… much,’ Bonnie giggled.
‘That’s a shame,’ Max said slyly. ‘I consider our date a failure then.’
Bonnie stretched herself awake. ‘I had a great time. I’m kind of glad Linda locked us in the fridge.’
Max laughed. ‘Me too.’ He paused for a moment. ‘You do realise that there is one more part of the deal you have to honour before I let you go in?’
Bonnie frowned. ‘Deal?’
‘Traditionally, when a man and a woman go on a date, at the end of the night, this happens…’
Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn Page 16