Page 43 of A Spell of Midlife Mayhem

I WALKED OUT OF THE living room and found Raven in the hall. ‘I’m ready. Have you got a place in mind?’

‘I do, but would you mind driving? I don’t have a car.’

‘No problem.’

He gave me directions to an elegant Italian restaurant on the riverfront.

Inside, the lighting was subdued, allowing for a clear view of the river itself because of the lack of glare from the windows. Kingston Bridge was lit up, and the lights reflected off the water in a colourful, ever-changing dance. We had a table by the window; the setting was more romantic than any time I’d ever been out with Terry. His kind of dinner out was the pub special on the two-for-one night.

I relaxed in Raven’s company. He had the body of a UFC fighter, yet a gentle and considerate temperament. Though we had what might be the best view in town through the window, I had the best view of my life facing me across the table.

We ordered from a tantalising menu. I choose the cheapest option, wanting to conserve my dwindling funds. Raven asked me about my work day at Chirtlewood, and I told him about the visitors we had and about the library there. He made knowledgeable comments. He’d obviously visited there himself at least once. I left out the huge fact that I encountered the ghost of the countess—it could wait until I knew him better, as I hoped to do.

In return, I asked him what he was researching, and what he had done before that.

‘Didn’t I tell you I’m studying sixteenth century literature at the moment?’

‘What aspect of sixteenth century literature exactly? As a former history teacher, I’m curious about these things.’

‘I haven’t narrowed down my area of study yet.’ He gazed out the window for a few seconds too long and his lips twitched, as if he was trying to keep a straight face.

‘And before your current research?’ I pressed.

‘Various things. Small business ventures, some time in the military, failed author... and many other things.’

‘Go back a bit. You were in the military? Doing what?’ He probably still did military-style workouts to maintain that great body.

‘It was overseas, long ago,’ he said. The evasiveness was back.

He had secrets. Well, I liked people with secrets. They piqued my curiosity.

Our dinner arrived, served with a flourish by an Italian waiter. An entree plate each and a shared plate of steaming vegetables. A heavenly aroma of meat cooked with garlic wafted under my nose, and my stomach rumbled.

We ate and chatted some more. When we’d finished our mains and were ready to peruse the dessert menu, something brushed my leg under the table for a moment. Raven’s foot? Was that accidental, or on purpose?

Raven’s gaze was fixed on the lights on the river.

‘Raven?’

‘Hmmm?’ He turned to me, one side of his mouth curling up slightly.

‘Were you trying to play footsies with me?’

He took a few moments to answer. ‘Yes. I wanted to get your attention to see if you wanted dessert.’

‘Oh no, you weren’t. You were looking out of the window.’

‘Yes, I was, wasn’t I? Okay, you’re right. It was my attempt at flirting. I’m not used to this. Where and when I grew up, flirting wasn’t really a thing.’

‘No? What did you do, then?’

‘Well, usually, marriages were arranged. It’s a long time ago.’

‘We’re about the same age, and I’m pretty sure I remember a little flirting in my younger days.’ Though it had been only a little, and I’d been too flattered by Terry’s insincere attentions that I’d accepted him before getting a proper look at the rest of the local talent.

‘If I’ve offended you by inappropriate flirting, I apologise. My intention was to see if...’ His voice trailed off.

‘To see if...’ I tried to encourage him to continue, but his only reply was tight-lipped silence, like a brick wall. ‘To see if I’d play footsies with you too?’ I tried to fill in the blanks.

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