Roses in June Read Free Page B

few minutes. Then, he’s agreed to answer any questions you may have. He’ll also be at the fayre today along with many other people of varying professions. We have someone from the fire service, police, military, the church, even someone from the houses of parliament if anyone wants to be a politician. So, if any of the year nines were thinking of not coming, this may be your incentive to attend. So, without further ado, let me introduce Gabriel Tyler.”
    The kids screamed. They began to whistle and clap.
    Gabe smiled and headed out onto the stage to find every single person in the hall on their feet. He still found this type of adulation embarrassing. As far as he was concerned, he was an ordinary bloke who went to work each day just like everyone else did. Once silence fell, he stepped up to the podium. “Thank you, Miss Stannis. Good morning, everyone.”
    As if rehearsed, but he knew it wasn’t, the school chorused, “Good morning, Mr. Tyler.”
    He grinned. “This is just like old times. You know my acting career began here, right on this very stage in a school production of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ I was the scarecrow. From what I remember, it was the first time a year seven had been cast in a leading role. So, what’s it like being an actor?” He paused. “It’s fun. It is incredibly hard work redoing things over and over until the director says it’s right—especially when you’re in makeup at half three in the morning and still sitting there five hours later. It can be frustrating, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
    ~*~
    An hour later, Dawn led Gabe to the staff room. “I wasn’t expecting the kids to ask so many questions.”
    He pushed a hand through his brown hair, which he wore parted on the left. His blue eyes twinkled. “I know its par for the course, but it was nice to be asked something different.”
    She moved to the side and grabbed a couple of mugs. “Tea or coffee?”
    “Coffee with no milk and one sugar, please. Most interviews relate to a specific project and not much thought goes into them. Which is why by the end of interview seven, I have the answers down to a fine art. But those kids made me think.”
    “Especially what would you do if you weren’t an actor.”
    Gabe laughed and took the mug she offered. “Thank you. Well, yeah. At least being a bin man I could go back to bed after lunch.”
    Dawn grinned. “That would be nice.” She led him to the chairs under the window and sat down. She had to admit, albeit only to herself, her curiosity had been piqued by some of his answers. “You sidestepped the girlfriend one quite nicely.”
    He chuckled. “I’ve been doing that for years with my mother. She’d prefer me to be married and have ten kids by now, but it’ll happen in God’s own time, when the right woman comes along. I don’t see the point in starting a relationship purely to satisfy the press or my mother.” He sipped his coffee. “What about you? Why did you become a teacher?”
    “I studied geography at university and had such great plans. This was my back up career.”
    “What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?” His intense blue eyes gazed at her over the rim of his cup, and Dawn found herself being pulled into them.
    What must it be like to act opposite him? To have him wrap his arms around you? Have those full, masculine lips press against your cheek…
    She shook herself hard. Enough of the fan girl malarkey. “My first choice was to be a volcanologist or find a way to predict earthquakes, but that didn’t work out, so I’m the geography teacher. I teach about places, rocks, and weather. Try and enthuse the next generation instead, and I get to throw in a volcano now and then.”
    He tilted his head. “Sounds like an intriguing story there.”
    She shrugged. “Not really.” And it wasn’t something she intended to talk about either. “Teaching is safer.”
    The door opened. “Sorry to interrupt, Dawn, but I can’t find the