Nothing New for Sophie Drew: a heart-warming romantic comedy - Katey Lovell (best english novels for beginners .txt) 📗

giving financial handouts. “I had another dream about Max last night, you know. It made me think.”

Eve smiled, taking my glass from my hand and placing it on a ledge. “You really like him, don’t you?”

My cheeks warmed at the thought of him. “There was something between us, I’m sure of it, but I don’t want to have to go back to the charity shop to see him. If only the universe would find a way of throwing us together.”

“You’re an old romantic.”

“Hey, less of the old.” I laughed as Tawna deigned us worthy of her attention after mixing with some of the influential guests including Norma and Fred’s son, Bri, who ran one of the biggest building merchants in the area. The amount of air-kissing going on was ridiculous.

“Oh, you’ve seen the seating arrangements,” Tawna cooed. “I made sure the two of you were together, although I’m afraid I’ll be with Johnny for the main meal. You’ve got some interesting people to chat to on your table. Stuart from Riviera Travel is one of the most eligible bachelors around,” she added, looking meaningfully at Eve.

“How many times? I’m happy being single. Genuinely happy. I’ve got enough on my plate at the moment without worrying about anyone else,” Eve huffed.

A wave of concern passed over Tawna’s face. “What’s on your plate? You never told me anything was the matter.”

“It’s nothing,” Eve answered, with a hollow laugh and a wave of her hand.

I frowned. She might be trying hard to play it down but I knew my friend, and her actions left me curious and concerned. I hoped her mum hadn’t gone downhill.

“It’s just work stuff,” Eve insisted. “And I don’t want to spend tonight thinking about it.”

A waiter passed by with a tray laden with cocktails. Perfect timing, because I was ready for another drink, and going by the significant look Eve shot at me, I guessed she was too. We eagerly reached for the tumblers, neither of us caring which of the colourful potions we came away with.

Eve sucked up the bright-green drink through a straw, pulling a face as the alcohol hit. When I tasted the concoction I understood why. These weren’t watered down jobbies, these were the real deal.

“Make sure you talk to Stu,” Tawna called over her shoulder, as she was intercepted by the Lord Mayor.

“I wish she’d take no for an answer once in a while,” Eve grumbled, taking another large sip of the eye-watering mixture. “All the time she’s on at me to find a man. It’s as though now she’s found her Mr Right we’re supposed to follow her lead.”

“She means well,” I said, and it was as though we’d switched roles. It was normally Eve sticking up for Tawna as I berated her actions.

I shifted position as I noticed Darius making a beeline for us. I ducked down, hoping the stocky gent to my right would hide me from his eyeline, but as I moved I managed to step on the man’s toe. He let out a high-pitched squeal that sounded more porcine than human, and I fawned apologetically as Eve dissolved into gin-induced giggles at my misfortune.

The incident had caused the man to spill his wine and a deep red stain seeped through his shirt (which was, typically, white). He looked like an extra in a low-budget zombie movie.

“I’m so, so sorry,” I repeated, as he wrung out – yes, he was that drenched – the burgundy from his shirt. “It was an accident, and I didn’t realise how close you were.” I wanted the ground to swallow me whole, but no such luck. A quick escape was the best I could hope for. Why not add to the “Hide from Darius” fun by finding someone else I needed to avoid for the rest of the night?

“Worse things happen at sea,” the man said. He was far more relaxed than I’d have been in his position. I’d be raging if someone had caused me to spill my drink over my outfit before we’d even sat down to eat, whereas he was positive and cheery. “Honestly, it’s fine. I’ll put my jacket on and no one will be any the wiser.”

He reached for a dark grey woollen blazer from the back of a nearby chair and shrugged it on. “See?” he said, when he’d buttoned it up. “No one will know.”

With the jacket on it was impossible to tell the shirt was soaked with wine.

“Let me get you another drink.” It was the least I could do, and although he didn’t seem perturbed, I felt dreadful.

“Waiter!” I attracted the attention of a man in a dickie-bow who was serving the wine the man had been drinking. I retrieved the last glass from the silver platter and handed it over.

“Stop worrying,” the man said. “It’s fine. And even better now I’ve got another drink. There wasn’t much left in the other glass anyway.”

“Looked like a lot from the state of your shirt.” For someone so bright, Eve really did lack basic social skills at times. “You were soaked.”

The man seemed to notice Eve for the first time. His neck turned as red as his hidden shirt.

“Oh. Yes. Well…” the man spluttered, which made me even keener to escape the nightmare scenario. It was plain to see he fancied Eve.

“We’ll leave you in peace,” I said pointedly, trying to steer Eve away. “The last thing you want is two crazy ladies cramping your style.”

“Not at all. It’s a pleasure to meet you both, regardless of the circumstances.” His composure was fine when his attention was on me, but as soon as he looked in Eve’s direction, he became a gooey mess, like a Cadbury’s crème egg left out in the midday heat. “Stuart Burton,” he said, extending out his free hand.

“Stuart.” I fired a panicked look at Eve. “I have a feeling I’ve heard Tawna talk about you before. Are you in the travel business by any chance?”

“Why, yes,” he said, proudly puffing out