Page 63 of Too Far To Sea
He thought he heard the woman laugh. He turned to Dana, who was smiling ear to ear. “What just happened?”
“I arranged for a nine-hour date in the friendly skies.”
“How?”
“I know someone. And now you have to wake up at dark o’clock to make that drive.”
“I could check out of my hotel here in Lyme and stay in Bath.” Who cared if he had to pay for the night in both places.
Dana looked at her hands, and an uncomfortable silence sprung up between them.
He recognized his mistake. “In my own room. I wasn’t suggesting—” He knew he was blushing and tried to calm his embarrassment. “I know I moved fast with the kiss since we haven’t even had a real date.”
Relief filled her face. “You could, but won’t you lose money?”
“Says the woman who got me an upgrade on an international flight.”
“Extra leg room equals a hotel room?”
“Not my point. I could check out. Drive up to Bath. I’ll even stay at a different hotel if you wish. Then we can drive into London in the morning together.”
“I could get another Sally Lunn bun.”
“A what?”
“Hard to explain, but believe me, you’ll understand. The restaurant opens at 10:00 for walk-ins. Or we could go over to the Pump room. Brit says they have absolutely the best blackberry and hibiscus tea ever.”
“Brit? As in Britania, the person who just called me?”
“The one and only.”
“So we now have a breakfast date, and an airplane date. If we stop and get fish and chips tonight, we will have three dates in one weekend.”
“Or one very long one.”
“Come on, let’s go to Bath. I hope I can find a tourist shop open. My sister will have my head if I don’t bring her back something Jane Austen.”
“You can always bring back a twenty-pound note since her face is on it. But I am sure you can find something. I believe the shops open at ten too, so if we plan our morning wisely…” She pulled out her phone.
“You can plan in the car. Let’s get me checked out and we can find dinner along the way.” This was crazy. Spontaneous. Jen and Mom would not believe this. At least his flight time hadn’t changed, so he wouldn’t have to explain until he got home. If all went well he would give her the ring before they landed at O’Hare. Yes, that would be a much better time.
18
Dana brokethe bun in half. This had been the most perfect first or second date she’d ever experienced. They had breakfast at the Pump room. The tea was as good as Brit claimed. After breakfast, they ran over to the Jane Austen Centre and purchased gifts for Jen and McKay’s mom. He said that Gracie was too young to appreciate anything with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy on it and she had more than enough gifts. They picked up two take away buns from Sally Lunn’s as they left town. Neither of them had room for the buns in their carry-ons, so they ate them as McKay drove.
She handed McKay a section spread with clotted cream.
“I hope there isn’t a law against eating and driving in the UK.”
“No idea. You drive well on the left side of the road.”
“You should have seen me going out to Lyme Regis on Thursday afternoon. I haven’t driven in six months and between not driving and left-side roads, I thought I was going to be in an accident.”
“I’m glad you figured driving out. The trains aren’t bad, but a car means much less carting of luggage all over. You know why they drive on the left, don’t you?”
His mouth full, McKay shook his head.
“Oxen and knights.”
