the girl in the yellow dress - part 17

Melanie said she wanted a splash but Sebastian didn’t quite envisage his date to take the turn it did.

Alice had naturally been delighted at the invite and thankfully managed to change her shifts at work to accompany Sebastian to the farm.

It was one of those beautiful warm spring days perfect for a walk in the country and after they had left the boards with Edgar to look at he pointed them in the direction of the far meadow and the stream beyond the vineyard. Alice didn’t know bluebells had such a beautiful scent and coupled with the birdsong all her senses were overwhelmed.

There were stepping stones over the river. Sebastian leaped like a gazelle over them. Typical show off, she thought as she attempted the crossing much more cautiously.

Egged on by Sebastian’s teasing she jumped to the fifth step and as she landed she wobbled.  Tottering and trying hard to regain her sense of balance she almost righted herself but suddenly slipped and landed with a splash.

The water wasn’t deep but it was freezing and it took her breath away. Sebastian gallantly took a step or two towards her and reached down a helping hand.

He looked like a perfect gent but then she caught a mischievous glint in his eye and she pulled him in with her. They ended up both giggling and splashing each other until he heard the sound of her teeth chattering.

“We’d better get out.”

This time she let him help her and they sat in the warm sunshine of the river bank.

“Thank you for bringing me.”

“Sorry it had to be work related.”

“If this is your idea of work, where can I get a job like this?” It beat standing on her feet all day, wrestling the coffee machine and dealing with very specific customer requests, all with a friendly smile!

“An unexpected perk.” 

There was a pause in the conversation as they both absorbed the heat of the sun and enjoyed relaxing in each other’s company.

“You know you are not at all like I thought you’d be.” Alice finally mused.

“Meaning what exactly?” He looked directly at her, interested in her answer although he pretty much knew what she would say.

“You’re not stuck up like you imagine rich people to be.” She bit her lip unsure if she’d overstepped the mark.

“Who says I’m rich?” There was a mocking lilt to his voice.

“You dress like you are, work in the city.”

He wanted to be honest with her, admit he was struggling to make ends meet. He wanted to confess that she was nothing like the girls with money he usually dated but she was so much smarter and funnier. It had been such a great day and because he really wanted to see her again, true to form he tried to impress her the only way he knew how.  “Next time we’ll come in the Porsche.”

She laughed at that, did she believe him? Or could she actually see right through him?

“Whatever. I’m having a wonderful day. Despite being dripping wet. Perhaps we should head back to the farmhouse and see if Edgar can make us a cuppa.”

“You can take the girl out of the coffee shop…”

“Or a glass of something sparkling if you prefer something more sophisticated for your palate but a nice cup of tea to warm me up would suit me fine.”