Page 88 of All Right No

“Aw, you’re a fan of his music, then?”

“My housemate is. She’s a huge fan. I like them too, but she’s how I came to be there.”

“I suppose you did one of those meet and greet things, did you?”

“Mm, kind of… Not exactly. We sort of bumped into one another post-show. They had a few things go wrong that night, and they ended up staying at my hotel.” If her tactful summary implied they just happened to be staying in the same place, and had met in the lift, or the hotel bar, then that was purely down to the listener’s interpretation not a reflection of real events. The truth, that she’d gate-crashed Black Halo’s dressing room looking to score herself some hot action, and had actually invited three members of the band back to her room for the night, wasn’t really the sort of introduction likely to endear you to the woman set to be your future mother-in-law.

“Sarah! I think you’d best fetch some extra towels, love.”

“Dad, will you give me that wrench?”

“No need, I have it sorted now.”

“Dad, that isn’t the main stop tap for the water.”

“It’s the one I always use for the washer.”

Ginny followed Mrs. Gore out of the lounge to the kitchen, where Ash and his Dad were knelt in a good five inches of water.

“Thank God we have a wonky floor,” Mrs. Gore sighed, “or the whole of downstairs would be flooded. I’ll get those towels. Bobby, give our son the wrench.” She left Ginny in the doorway and bustled off upstairs. A moment later, a very wet-looking Mr. Gore waded his way to the dry end of the kitchen, and shook Ginny’s hand. “You’ve arrived when we’re in a right pickle. Pleased to meet you. I’m Robert.”

“Bobby,” Ash muttered under his breath. He had his head wedged under the cupboard beneath the sink, but the effect on his words was one of amplification. “Don’t tell her you’re called Robert when they only call you that at work.”

“I happen to prefer being Robert, just like you prefer to be lazy and leave off half of your name.” Ash’s dad winked at her.

“Ashley makes everyone think of floral dresses. Ash suits me and the persona of the band more.”

“Yeah, well you’re never going to get your mam to address you that way.” He gave Ginny another once over. He was around Ash’s height and build, but with salt and pepper hair and similarly coloured stubble peppering his jaw, that had probably grown through since his second shave of the day. “Think you can keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn’t injure himself while I take a loo break?”

“Reckon so,” Ginny agreed.

As soon as Bobby had made his exit toward the bathroom, Ginny slipped off her shoes and waded across the kitchen to reach Ash. She leaned against the door of the double cupboard he was working within. “Ash, do you think you could give me a minute? I really need to talk to you.”

“Can’t it wait a sec, I kind of have my hands full right now.”

“I realise that, but this is something we really need to discuss, preferably before your parents get back.”

He stuck his head out from the cupboard and looked up at her. “What’s up? You’re not preggers, are you? That might be more news than they can handle in one go.”

Although, not apparently more than he could handle, considering he didn’t seem the slightest bit concerned that she might be on the verge of revealing such a life-changing fact. If anything, the kooky grin he’d been sporting ever since she’d walked out on stage and let him slip that giant heart-shaped proclamation on her finger had grown extra wide.

“You’re not actually going to say that, are you?”

He gave the wrench another twist, and finally the flow of water stopped. Major issue dealt with, Ash sat back on his haunches. “Are you going to clue me in?”

Nervously, Ginny fingered the ring currently on her right hand.

Ash’s gaze tracked the movement and his expression instantly crumpled. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”

“Are you?”

His relief at her assurance, didn’t quite restore his smile to his eyes.

“But it is kind of related… The thing is, it’s only been eight…nine months. We really still don’t know one another that well.”

“I know everything I need to.”

She raised her hands in distress and to silence him. Then got down on her knees in the pond so that their heads were on a level.