Paradise Fields Read Free

‘It doesn’t mean he’s a rapist, you know. London is really quite civilised these days. They have policemen and everything.’
    Nel made a face. ‘They met in a club. It’s the first time she’s gone out with anyone whose mother I don’t know. Or, if I don’t know her myself, I always know someone who does. It’s a growing-up experience.’
    â€˜What? For Fleur?’
    â€˜No, for me. Oh good, here’s my burger.’
    â€˜Hi, Simon,’ said Vivian. ‘I’d better go back. I left your Sam in charge of my stall,’ she said, turning back toNel. ‘If I leave him to get bored, he might take the money and buy drugs with it.’
    Nel laughed as she looked across at her son, persuading someone who obviously did not want them to buy a pair of beeswax candles.
    Simon looked down at Nel. ‘I don’t understand you,’ he said, pretending to take offence. ‘You get huffy if I suggest the boys shouldn’t put their feet on the sofa when they’re wearing shoes, but Vivian accuses Sam of theft and illicit substance abuse, and you don’t bat an eyelid.’
    Nel smiled at him, to acknowledge he was joking. ‘Have you smelt their feet without shoes?’ The truth was often disguised as a joke, and had been this time, but she didn’t want this conversation now, so she bit into her burger. The mayonnaise oozed delightfully. ‘This is so good! It may be the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten, and you are a hero for bringing it to me. And you got yourself one. Good choice! Have a bite.’ Ensuring his mouth was full and he was therefore unable to speak, she went on, ‘But I’m glad Sam’s around. I’ll ask him to mind the shop for me while I have a last gallop round the stalls. I still haven’t done all my Christmas shopping, and I’ve got to break it to people that there’s a mountain of red tape to go through when we go official. Fleur’s obviously gone off somewhere, and God knows where Harry’s got to. Oh bugger! That’ll never come off.’
    A large gloop of ketchup-tinted mayonnaise had landed on the front of her waxed jacket. Muttering and scooping it up with her finger, out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of the man who had kissed her. He was holding his mistletoe bough as if it was a majorembarrassment, watching her lick off the mayonnaise. He smiled. Nel had no choice but to smile back; to appear standoffish now would just make her look even more ridiculous than she felt. After she smiled, she blushed. Oh for a tenth of Fleur’s confidence with boys, she thought. Not that he was a boy, exactly.
    â€˜Here.’ Simon handed her a handkerchief. ‘Why do you have to make such a mess?’
    Nel wiped her finger and then started on her coat, scrubbing at the stain. ‘I don’t do it on purpose. But it’s an old coat, it’s no big deal.’
    â€˜You’ll have to have it dry-cleaned,’ said Simon. ‘You really should be more careful.’
    Nel was about to say that it was impossible to eat a burger without the contents going everywhere when she noticed that he was halfway through his, and not a drop of anything had gone anywhere but in his mouth. ‘Would you like me to wash your hanky for you?’
    â€˜No, thanks. I don’t want it pink.’
    A little offended, but trying not to show it, Nel tucked Simon’s handkerchief back into his pocket. ‘Thank you for feeding me, Simon.’ Then she stuffed the rest of the burger into her mouth.
    â€˜I could do it again. Come for a meal with me tonight? There’s a new place opened, I hear it’s really good.’
    Nel chewed hurriedly. ‘It sounds lovely, but I’m going to be exhausted. I think I’d rather just slob out in front of the telly. When I’ve finished here I’ve got to deliver my local Christmas cards. That takes for