Page 10 of Ask Another Day

‘It suits you.’ He gulped again, and Holly couldn’t stop tracking the movement of his Adam’s apple.

Forcing herself to look away from Seb, she focussed her attention back on his brother. ‘Danny, I’m disappointed in you and your brother. Where are your costumes for tonight?’

With her eyes solely on Danny, she was able to appreciate the full smile her attention brought forth.

‘Sorry, I forgot it was this weekend,’ Seb apologised.

Holly was surprised to see he looked genuinely sorry. She knew he had never planned to join the karaoke night, but couldn’t resist teasing them both.

‘Shall we let him off?’ she asked Danny, tearing her gaze away from Seb.

Danny’s smile seemed to grow impossibly wider and the affection in his eyes made her heart swell.

‘He really likes you, Holly,’ Seb added, looking between Holly and his brother.

‘Well the feeling is mutual.’

A crash from inside the pub snagged Holly’s attention at the same time little hands grabbed at the bowl of sweets her dad have given her to sweeten the deal for being on the door tonight. The sneak attack caused the bowl to crash to the ground, scattering sweets everywhere.

‘Oi! Peter! I know that’s you,’ she shouted out at a retreating figure who had scarpered with as many sweets as he could stuff in his coat pockets. She’d recognise his yellow coat anywhere.

Holly knelt down at the same time as Seb as she tried to pick up the remaining chocolates. Their fingers brushed each other and she stilled at the contact.

‘Holly–’ he said at the same time as her dad’s voice called out from inside the pub.

‘Holly Berry, I can’t get this stupid microphone to stay in the stand.’

‘Sorry, it sounds like I’m needed inside.’ Holly hated that their first interaction for weeks had to be cut so short, but she could just imagine how frustrated her dad would be getting with the microphone and it was always better to step in quickly with him. Especially if they still wanted an intact microphone stand. He wasn’t an angry man, but when things frustrated him, he had a habit of accidentally breaking them.

‘Sure. Of course. I’ll pick up the rest of these for you,’ Seb said, and Holly could have sworn he looked just as disappointed as she felt.

‘Thanks. Oh and Danny, if you catch up with Peter, get Seb to give him a stern talking to.’

Chapter 4

The Truth Remains Hidden

Holly:

Morning Owen

Sorry about how the lesson ended

Can we have a fresh start for my next one?

Maybe call lesson two, my first lesson?

Owen:

No Problem

It wasn’t even the worst first lesson I’ve taught

Holly:

But you usually teach kids, right?

Owen: