LOVE IS IN THE HEART: Verne Estate Series, Book 4

14. ROMY

Monday is the closing day of the bakery. I usually take the opportunity to have a well-deserved sleep in – which I did – and then I devote the day to a whole bunch of activities that I didn’t have time to do the rest of the week. Unfortunately, these are often related to my store. When you’re self-employed, true days off are as rare as hair on Dwayne Johnson’s head.

That’s why, this morning, I found myself at the hardware store, looking for plumbing supplies to fix a leaking tap. The easy solution would have been to give my father or Guillaume a call to take care of it, but I have lost count of the times they helped me out. And my brother has enough to do with his gym. As for my father, if I ask him, he’ll mention it to my mother, who’ll have a ready-made excuse to add DIY to the long list of reasons why I should find a husband. No, I’m an independent young woman who can manage very well on my own. And that’s why do-it-yourselfers make YouTube videos, right? To help young women ignorant about plumbing.

I walked through the door of the store. It’s not a large DIY store, rather the old hardware store in the village, which has been extended over the years and which retains a family spirit. As usual, as soon as I walk through the door, I look around to greet Ms Dimier, the owner, who’s usually behind her till. But when she answers me, I see this little glimmer of pity in the back of her eyes.

Even though Simon’s rejection is still fresh in my memory, I naively thought the rest of the world had moved on. Wasn’t there another scandal in the village this weekend? Something juicier like a******y, a double parking incident, or a loud shirt?

I put a smile on my lips and rushed towards the department that interests me. Only, it seems that karma isn’t on my side because I meet several people, customers or neighbours, and each time the same thing happens again. They say nothing to me, but their eyes speak for themselves. Was there that many people at the Café de la place on Saturday evening? I know numbers don’t matter, it only takes one person to spread a rumour, but still...

I stand in front of the shelves that interest me. At least the O-rings won’t judge me. I stare at the plastic wrappers as if they’re going to answer one of life’s mysteries, like, why do 24-hour stores have locks? Or who actually makes blindfolds? What exactly did I need? My mind is so muddled that I can’t remember which part I need. I rub my forehead in a vain attempt to wake up my brain. s**t…

“Hey.”

I jump when I hear the voice right next to me, almost impaling myself on the row of faucets on display. I wonder who can be the one who pushes unhealthy curiosity so far as to come and talk to me to feast on my misfortune. But when I look up at his face, it’s a familiar smile in front of me, Alistair’s.

“Ah, uh... hi,” I stammered.

“I didn’t mean to startle you, sorry.”

“Yeah…I was lost in thought and in this…”

I indicate the shelving. His eyes sparkled.

“Yes, plumbing can be fascinating,” he jokes.

I sigh.

“It depends who for. To me, it’s more like a nightmare.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Piping problem?”

“My sink tap is leaking. I think it’s one of the seals that’s screwed up. But hey, I’m not a plumbing expert either.”

“I see,” he said, nodding seriously.

He turns to the display and reaches for a wrapper without hesitating for a second.

“Take this one, it’s the standard size for this kind of equipment.”

I grabbed the package and mumbled a thank you. Okay, what am I supposed to do now? Alistair hasn’t moved one iota, he’s watching me and something in his eyes disturbs me. It’s like he’s trying to read my mind.

“Okay, well…”

My eyes linger on his outfit. He wears a T-shirt resolutely dedicated to do-it-yourself – if I can believe the traces of plaster on it – khaki fatigues and heavy work boots.

“Are you doing work at home?” I asked.

“Yes, but that’s not why I’m here. I need materials for a construction site that I have to go to tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

I hesitated, then I asked him the question.

“Do you work on renovations?”

I thought he was just passing through, but I could have been wrong.

“Yes, it’s my job at the moment.”

I note the at the moment, but don’t dare to ask for details. My question must be read on my face because it’s him who brings me clarifications:

“I’m supposed to be back in England in a few months. So this job is only temporary.”

“Oh, I see.”

I don’t really see, but that seems like a perfectly acceptable answer to me. After all, I’m not going to interrogate him in inquisition mode; what he does with his life is none of my business.

“Are you going to be able to do this?”

At first, I don’t understand his question, then I get it: he’s talking about the parts I’m holding in my hand.

“Yes, at least I hope so. I saw some videos,” I say, as if that were a guarantee of success.

He frowns and says:

“I have a little time, you want me to come take a look?”

“No, it’s not worth it, I’ll manage like a grown-up. It didn’t look that complicated, I think I can…”

“I’ll come with you. That way, if you need a hand or advice, it’ll be easier. I’m not sure your video can help you if you have any problems.”

I’m about to protest again that I can do just fine on my own, but I changed my mind. Yes, I’m a big girl… but after all, why refuse help offered to me without even asking for it? So I just nodded and went to pay for my purchases. Alistair informs me that he still has a few things to get and that he’ll meet me at the bakery.

I go back to my store, unlock the door and go to the back room. It’s way too quiet for my taste. I love the gentle hum of ovens. So I turn on the radio, just to feel less alone.

I put the bag from the hardware store on the counter and went to get the toolbox my brother gave me for the store. I could start work now, just to show that I’m not waiting for my saviour to come and leave all the work to him.

I look at the dripping tap and try to estimate the size of the wrench I’ll need to loosen the fitting. I tried three times to find the right one. First attempt: the part doesn’t move a millimetre. I put a little more force on the second try, it still didn’t move. I quickly check on the Internet that I’m turning in the right direction. It would seem so. So I put all my energy into unscrewing the piece of brass. When I’m about to give up, it finally gives me satisfaction by moving half a millimetre. Victory! We can consider that the hardest part is to start, right? So I persist and, little by little, the piece complies. I give another turn and...

Suddenly, a geyser of water hit me in the face. Surprised, I fell on my buttocks. It takes me a second to understand the situation. But during this time, my pipe is pouring out water at an impressive speed, and already a nice puddle is forming on the floor. I grab the first container I find, a saucepan I use to prepare my caramel, and I position it so that it collects the water that escapes from the pipe – which isn’t an easy task considering the angle. Except the power is such that it fills up in the blink of an eye. I grab another one, but I’m well aware that I have to find a solution very quickly, otherwise, I’ll end up with a flood. I retrieve the wrench that I dropped and begin to tighten the fitting that I just unscrewed. But the pressure is such that it’s impossible for me. Especially since I’m attacked by the water which continues to pour out. I’m soaked and panicked. What am I going to be able to do? Even if I call my brother for help, by the time he arrives, my backroom will be flooded.

I feel the mini-panic attack rising, but then an English-accented voice asks:

“But what did you do?”

Alistair is standing in the doorway, his eyes glaring at me as if trying to figure out what the hell happened.

“I loosened…”

“Where’s your water metre?” he cuts me off.

“In the backyard.”

He rushes to the door and disappears outside. A few seconds later, the flow of the water decreases little by little.

Alistair returns. He examines the water flooding across the floor, then looks up at me. A smile formed on his lips.

“Looks like you enjoy being soaked.”

His allusion to our meeting in the rain makes me smile.

“I hate it, actually.”

There was a glint in his eyes as he scanned me from head to toe. Or rather, he stops at my chest, so that I lower my own eyes and see the transparency of my white T-shirt.

“Maybe I should change,” I said, turning around.

“Mmh mmh,” he replies without looking away.

On the contrary, my embarrassment seemed to amuse him.

“You know, this is when…”

“... I should look elsewhere? Don’t feel like it, sorry, darling.”

The blush rose into my cheeks, and it seemed to amuse him even more. So I flee to the changing room to get some dry clothes. Luckily, I always keep some on hand in case I get stained while working.

When I returned to the kitchen, Alistair is crouched in front of my pipe, looking sceptical.

“What’s happening?”

“It’s more than a damaged O-ring, your problem: the installation is totally screwed up. I can change the O-ring for you, but you’re going to have other problems very quickly.”

“Ah,” I answered, a little annoyed by the news and having nothing practical to say.

“Lucky for you: I should have something in the car to fix it. And at worst, I’ll go back to the hardware store.”

I’m about to tell him that there’s no need for him to bother, that I can also call a plumber or whoever. But he’s already busy, and I don’t have the heart to refuse. He looks so sure of himself that I’m convinced he must know what he’s doing. So, feeling a little useless, instead, I propose:

“You want some coffee?”

“No thanks. But if you have tea, I’m a taker.”

Ah yes, he’s English. Do all English people drink tea? And does he like jelly? What a horror that is! I have no idea how people swallow it! I hesitate to ask him, but I decide that unravelling the mystery of his nation’s love for jelly-like, chemical-tasting things isn’t really of much interest right now. Instead, I leave to prepare the hot drink. I take a pretty duck blue cup and choose one of the best teas I have in the cupboard. He deserves it. I plunged my hand into the cookie jar. These are the ones that have a shape that’s too quirky for sale, but that are no less good.

I returned to the back room and placed the mug and plate on the counter.

“It’s right here,“ I told him.

“Thank you, darling,” he said, straightening up.

He smiles at me and I think to myself that he really has a lot of charm. If I was younger and single… Okay, I’m single, but let’s say that if I was emotionally available and looking for someone… Besides, I have no idea of his status. He might have someone in his life.

He takes the cup and raises it to his lips. It looks so delicate in his big hand. You have to stop looking at him, Romy!

I pretend to take care of my chores. I put away utensils – at least I move them around looking like I know what I’m doing.

“Unique cookie,” I heard behind me.

I took a worried look. No…I didn’t choose…? Oh s**t! In the box of quirky cookies, there was only one that had the shape of a p***s. And, of course, I chose this one!

I act like I hadn’t noticed, but much to my regret, Alistair doesn’t seem to want to move on.

“Do you often make cookies in the shape of a phallus?”

“I didn’t... do it on purpose!”

“Really?” he laughs.

“Yes, it’s the dough…”

“Relax, I’m kidding.”

He puts the cookie in his mouth, I see his jaw move several times, then his Adam’s apple moves when he swallows.

“This is the first time I put a p***s in my mouth, but I must admit it tastes pretty good.”

I almost choked on hearing his remark, he looks rather proud of himself: he smiles with all his teeth. But when I thought he would stop there, he continued:

“In case you were wondering, I’m not a big fan of p*****s other than mine. I prefer…”

I cleared my throat.

“Yes, I think I understood.”

He stares at me with mischief. Why did he have to talk about his p***s? Now I start imagining… No, I really can’t think of his thing. Not when he’s in front of me smiling like that. And even if he was absent, for that matter! Any thought related to his genitals should be outlawed.

“I... I’ll go do some cleaning in the shop if you don’t need me.”

I didn’t even wait for his answer and rushed into the shop. It’s true that I have a bit of work. I left in a hurry yesterday for lunch with my parents, so there are a few things to straighten out. But I’m unable to fully concentrate on my task. I can’t help wondering what he’s doing. Yes, he’s fixing my leak, but still…

I finally peeked into the back. Alistair has opened the cupboard under the sink and is lying on his back, his head disappearing into the kitchen cabinet. And… misery! His T-shirt is pulled up, revealing a flat stomach far too muscular for my sanity. If jelly does that, I want to swallow a whole bucket right now! Seriously, where do abs like that come from? I’m not even sure Ben has any like it! And he’s a fitness instructor!

This guy is a real mystery. He’s not telling me everything. You shouldn’t be able to repair pipes, replace a bakery assistant at short notice, save a young woman in distress in the rain and also have the belly of an underwear model. There’s something wrong, he’s hiding something. Maybe he’s a secret agent? Why any agency would want to spy on me, I have no idea. But that would explain his ability to do anything – except cooking, according to him. But maybe that’s a lie.

You’re completely smitten, my poor Romy!

It must be my rejection by Simon that makes me freaking crazy – and totally craving him. I have never been like this! A somewhat edible male is under my nose, and I’m as horny as a teenage girl.

I close my eyes, hoping it will help me forget this delirium, and when I open them again, I take care not to look in Alistair’s direction. I decided to appear a minimum focused on the state of my plumbing and I said:

“Are you okay? You need something?”

Certainly surprised by my reappearance, Alistair jumps. I hear something thud, then a growl followed by a string of words in his native tongue, which didn’t sound like expressions of bliss to me.

I approach as he crawls out from under the sink, but when I see his face appear, I realise he’s covered in blood.