Free LOVE'S GHOST (a romance) by T. S. Ellis Page B

honeymoon period. So he was gushing over it. It didn't suit her. She had a habit of being attracted to clothes that didn't suit her. Anyway, she spotted me and there was an awkward exchange of greetings. Then she asked me what I thought of the dress. I said it looked amazing, that it was made for her. She was very pleased."
    He smiled at me conspiratorially.
    "If that dress is still in her wardrobe, I can guarantee that she never wears it."
    My body was a little perplexed. Ninety percent of it was still panicking. But ten percent felt a warm glow at being in the company of this charming man. But the panic was too strong for the glow.
    “Do you mind if we do this another time?” I asked. “I’m really sorry.”
    “No, not at all. I understand.  
    “Thanks.”
    “How are you getting home?”
    “I’m walking.”
    “Me too. Which way?”
    I pointed back along the river bank.
    “I’m going that way as well. Do you mind if I walk with you?”
    I couldn’t really refuse. But I didn’t know what we would talk about. I was still flustered. I didn’t want to risk talking too much in case my voice came out croaky and I burst into tears. Crying is embarrassing, but crying in front of a man who was so poised would be unbearable.
    Carl seemed to sense this and didn’t push me to talk. We walked in silence for a few minutes. I caught him glancing at me occasionally, a mixture of concern and curiosity. What a strange thing to do, to walk with somebody you’ve just met and not talk. But I didn’t feel uncomfortable. In the end, I thought it only fair to glance back at him. We looked at each other at the same time, and there was a mutual smile. But my heavy heart wouldn’t let my lips stretch too far.
    We carried on walking, and carried on not speaking. He tricked me into another smile by glancing at me again, but this time making sure I saw him do it, making a game of it. This walk was turning into a dance, a crazy dance.
    After the second exchange of smiles, Carl did something curious. Our walk took us alongside a boat. I don’t know much about boats but it looked beautifully turned out. It was designed to impress, its gentle curves reminded me of one of the swans that was gliding by. Everything was polished and shiny. It should have been in a showroom, not on the water. It was the biggest boat I’d ever seen moored on this section of the river.
    Carl jumped on it.
    “What are you doing?” I cried out.
    “Spontaneously jumping on a boat.”
    I looked around, wondering if the owner was watching us. But then I realised, mainly because of his cheeky smile, that Carl was the owner. “It’s your boat, isn’t it?”
    “Yes, it is. Want to come onboard?”
    I hesitated. I was impressed that he had a boat. And that handsome face had been working its magic while we’d been walking. But my insides were all churned up. I hadn’t recovered from seeing Russell and probably wouldn’t for a few days. This was the worst time to have a date. The absolute worst time. But it could be argued that it was also the perfect time. I couldn’t have any expectations. There was no pressure. No, I didn’t buy that. It was very bad timing.
    “We’ll go up and down the river a couple of times and I’ll bring you back here whenever you want to come back.”
    “I hardly know you.”
    “It’s a risk,” he said, then winked at me. I couldn’t help but smile.
    I hardly knew the guy so I shouldn’t even think about boarding his boat. He could lock me in the galley down below, then sell me as a slave in some far off land. It was a fair reflection of my state of mind that, however superficially, that didn’t seem like a bad option. I closed my eyes for a moment. I thought about Russell turning up at the café. How dare he carry on with his life like that.
    “Are you praying?” Carl asked.
    "Kind of."
    My legs had turned to jelly. I knew I shouldn’t get on the boat. And not only because I didn’t know this man well enough. But, if