FIRST DATES…

‘Fish and chips?’ Surely that must be within budget.

‘Sorry, can’t afford it.’ She started to step around him.

‘No more than a shilling each, I promise.’

He looked desperate, so against her better judgment, she changed her mind.

‘Go on then, where?’

‘Best place in town.’ He didn’t have the nerve to put his arm through hers, so muttered, ‘Follow me, it’s not been open long.’

He had let the shop to Seafoods in Kingsmead Street, and the little restaurant was doing a roaring trade. The heat from the bank of deep fat fryers, sizzling behind the white marble counter, and the smell of freshly fried battered fish and chips was irresistible. Soused in vinegar, covered in salt, they had both wolfed their suppers down, and now sat holding their mugs of tea.

‘You sure know how to show a girl a good time,’ she said, in an American accent.

‘Of all the bars in all the world…’ using her best Humphrey Bogart accent. They laughed and suddenly Ian knew it was all right; they could be friends.

Another extract from chapter fifty-two of – ‘Go Swift and Far – a Tale of Bath’ The first book of The Westcott Chronicles of Bath