Page 36 of Kissing Games
‘Yes, in LA.’
His face fell. ‘But have you ever had a deep-fried Mars bar?’
‘A fried candy bar?’
He nodded.
‘Is that a thing?’
‘It’s a very rare Scottish speciality.’
‘You’re making it up.’
He grinned. ‘Follow me.’
He led her to a small chip shop. Inside, she saw the menu written on a big board behind the counter. At the very bottom, written in pen, were the words: ‘Today Only! Deep-Fried Mars Bar – £5’
‘Five pounds?’ she hissed at him.
‘My treat. Fish and chips to start?’
She wavered, then pulled her purse out of her pocket. ‘I want to pay.’
Charlie shook his head. ‘No way. My idea, my treat.’ He turned to the counter where a skinny teenager with bright-red spots and even brighter red hair was staring at Valentina, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down erratically.
‘Ahem,’ Charlie began.
The boy dragged his eyes to him.
‘I would like two large fish and chips—’
She elbowed him. ‘Small please,’ she whispered.
‘One large and one small fish and chips,’ he continued. ‘And a deep-fried Mars bar.’
‘We don’t sell them.’
She watched Charlie stare at him intently.
‘Yes, you do,’ he said, emphatically. ‘Remember?’ Charlie’s eyes flicked to the menu. ‘Just for today? And they’ve been so popular you only have one left?’
She stifled a giggle as realisation fell onto the boy’s face.
‘Oh, aye. Just for today.’ He looked at her and drew himself up. ‘It’s a very rare Scottish speciality,’ he said firmly.
She managed to keep a straight face. ‘Then I can’t wait to try it.’
The boy dropped the tongs he was holding and his mouth fell open. ‘Itisyou. You’re Valentina Valverde,’ he stammered.
Her body stiffened.
‘No, she’s not,’ replied Charlie. ‘Her name’s Deirdre and she’s from Falkirk.’
She elbowed Charlie’s side and gave a dazzling smile to the boy, whose face was now redder than his hair. ‘Yes, I am. Would you like a selfie after you’ve cooked our lunch?’
He nodded so hard she wondered if his head might fall off.
‘Aye, that would be braw.’ He turned to the counter in front of him and pulled out a Mars bar, taking the wrapper off and dipping it in batter. As he worked, he kept glancing up at Valentina and muttering ‘I cannae believe it!’ over and over again.
