Sarah Mayberry - Suddenly You

“Made some underwear disappear the other night, if that’s what you mean.”

She laughed appreciatively. “Dirty dog.”

“How about you? How are things?”

“I’ve had better days, you know.” She shrugged, her dark, wavy hair brushing her shoulders. A sparkly clip was pinned at one temple. Combined with her heavy glasses, it gave her an arty, slightly eccentric look that was reinforced by her old-fashioned floral dress and timeworn tan oxfords.

Not for the first time he wondered how she and Steve had ever hooked up. She was a million miles from the tight-T-shirted, tight-jeaned women his mate usually went for, and Harry had always figured Steve wasn’t exactly Pippa’s normal dating material, either. Which only made it more problematic that they’d created a little girl between them.

“How’s Alice?” he asked, glancing at the backseat.

The baby seat was empty, however.

“Mum’s visiting, so she’s got her for the day. I was supposed to be getting a few chores sorted, but Old Yeller had other ideas.” Her tone was heavy with irony as she gave her car a rueful glance.

“Let me guess—it overheated?”

“To be honest, I have no idea. One minute I was driving along, the next minute there was this bang and then steam and smoke was pouring out from under the hood …”

Harry frowned. Steam sounded right for overheating, but not smoke. He moved closer to lean over the engine bay. It took him only a moment to spot the oil dripping down the engine block and sprayed across the other engine components.

“Looks like you’ve blown a head gasket.”

Pippa joined him, peering at the engine. “That’s bad, right?”

“It’s not great. It basically means the engine is no longer sealed properly, so the oil that’s supposed to stop things from seizing up when they get hot leaks out.”

“Does that mean the engine is seized now?” She looked alarmed.

“Not if you pulled over immediately.”

“I did. Straight away.”

“Then it’s probably okay. But the only way to know for sure is to crack the engine block open and take a look.”

“That sounds expensive. Am I right?” A worried expression filled her brown eyes.

“It can be. Depends on parts, what they find when they get in there …”

She nodded. “Right. Well, I guess me standing here swearing at it won’t change any of that.”

Harry pulled out his phone. Since he couldn’t help her, the least he could do was organize a tow truck.

“Who normally services the car?” He knew most of the workshops in this part of the Mornington Peninsula, as well as a number of the tow truck operators.

“Oh, um, I don’t know the name off the top of my head. A place down in Mornington.” She waved a hand vaguely.

“Sweet Motors? Beachside Workshop?” he suggested.

Pippa shook her head, her gaze sliding from his face to the car. “I think I’ve got their card at home.”

“Do you want to get it towed to your place, then?”

“No, then I’d have to pay twice. I’ll just go home and sort it from there. But thanks for the thought.”

Her words were light but the frown creasing her forehead remained. Harry hesitated, but there was something about the way she was trying to be so casual about what was clearly a major hassle that made him want to help out. Even though it wasn’t his place, and they weren’t really friends anymore.

“My dad owns the workshop in Mount Eliza Village. I could give him a ring. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind helping out with a tow.” Technically, this was true, since Mike Porter had always been a soft touch for someone in distress, but it didn’t mean Harry wouldn’t cop some grief for his impulsive offer. He could almost hear his dad now: It’d be different if you actually worked for Village Motors, mate. Then you’d be within your rights to make offers on my behalf .

The fact that Harry had chosen to work for someone else once he’d finished his apprenticeship had always been a minor bone of contention between him and his father, although lately it seemed there was more weight behind his father’s comments and jokey asides.

Still, Harry was willing to wear the inevitable heat if it meant helping Pippa.

“That’s really nice of you, but I don’t want to put anyone out. Besides, my car club offers free roadside assistance. I can call them from home and get everything sorted.”

“You won’t be putting anyone out. The workshop is up the road. It’s no big deal.”

Pippa’s expression became determined. “Thanks, but I’ve got it covered.” She softened her rejection by touching his forearm briefly. “I appreciate you stopping, Harry. A lot of other guys would have kept going.”

He frowned. The reality was, if she’d been one of Steve’s other exes, he would have simply blown past without a second thought. He wasn’t sure why it was different with Pippa, except he’d always liked her. And—maybe—because he felt a little sorry for her, given her situation and the way things had turned out.

“Can I give you a lift home, then?” he heard himself offer. Even though every minute that ticked past chewed up his weekend and delayed the moment when he had an ice-cold glass of beer in his hand.

“Thanks, but Mum can come get me.”

Pippa tried to pull the hood stand from its notch on the side of the engine bay. Harry watched her struggle for a few seconds before leaning across her and pulling it loose. He got a whiff of hot engine oil and a rich vanilla scent—Pippa’s perfume most likely—as the hood shut with a dull thud.

“Where are you living these days?” he asked.

“Frankston South. Off Karrs Road.”

“Perfect. I’m driving past on the way to the pub.”

She started to protest again but he walked to the driver’s side of the hatchback and leaned in to grab her handbag.

“You need anything else before we lock it up?” he asked as he passed her the bag.

Her expression became rueful. “You’re not going to let this drop, are you?”

“Can’t be a knight in shining armor if the princess won’t get up on my horse.”

She scanned his face, almost as though she was looking for evidence of something. His sincerity, perhaps? Or maybe she was thinking more of his association with Steve.

“It’s just a lift, Pippa.”

“True. And I wouldn’t want to deprive you of the chance to play Sir Galahad.”

“Especially since the urge only hits once every five years or so.”

She laughed, the sound loud and honest. “I bet. I’ve got some shopping in the back that should come home with me.”

He followed her to the trunk and grabbed the bags.

“Thanks.”

“All part of the service.”

“There’s a service? And here I was thinking I was getting special treatment.”

She was so dry he couldn’t help turning on the charm a little. “That’s part of the service, too.” He winked, deepened his voice a notch.

Pippa laughed again as they headed for his car. “My God, Harry. No wonder half the women in Frankston love to hate you.”

They were on familiar ground now—Pippa giving him a hard time about the “revolving door” to his bedroom.

“You’ve been talking to the wrong women.”

“Sure I have.” She gave him a look over her shoulder before opening the passenger door.

Harry smiled. He hadn’t been so sure earlier, but now he was glad he’d stopped. It was good to see her again, and even better to help her out of a jam, even in a very minor way.

Digging his keys from his pocket, he prepared himself for a challenging, entertaining five minutes.

PIPPA PRESSED A hand against her belly as Harry stowed her shopping. For some unknown reason, seeing and talking to him again had made her nervous.