Love From a Book

I'm sat in my little snug by the fire with a cup of tea and a book. My idea of a good night in. I've never been one for going out and partying. I much prefer my own company and a good book with Casper, my faithful springer spaniel sat at my feet. I just can't help it, I love books. It's my form of peace. Escaping to a place where you don't have to worry about the realities of life. Because let's face it. Life isn't a fairy tale. Countries are either at war or on the brink of war. Bills and cost of living is at an all-time high. People are struggling to even survive, choosing between paying bills or eating. Luckily for me, I earn enough from my job at the pet store to pay the rent on my little one bed cottage and pay the bills. But still, the worries of daily life catch up to everyone. Including me. It's nice to have an escape. I'm starting a new book tonight that I've just picked up at the library in the village. It's a romance because, well, we girls need to believe that someone will come along and sweep us off our feet. And a girl has to dream. Of course, the first chapter starts off with a small town girl. She's not particularly looking for romance but obviously dreaming about it. Enter a chance meeting with handsome man. Meeting her at the coffee shop where she works. They laugh and flirt, and he leaves, going on about his business. But he can't get her out of his head. She thought he was handsome, much too good for her. She thinks of herself as a plain Jane. Not ugly, but not pretty. Too chubby to be a dainty and feminine. Hmmm, exactly how I feel. I've never been a slim girl, always being slightly bigger than I should be. I'd tried all the diets and exercise, and it never worked. I always ended up back where I was. In the end, I gave up. I stopped trying to please everyone who called me fat, but just decided to accept myself and my reality that I'll probably never find someone who truly loves me the way I am. I get the ones who stay until something better comes along. Anyway, back to the book Mr.Right comes back the next day, and they flirt a little more. She thinks nothing of it. Thinking he's just being nice. He, however, is enraptured by her. He thinks she is beautiful and can't get her off his mind. Right on cue, she has a dilemma throwing her into damsel in distress mode. Mr. Right obviously comes to her rescue and cue him asking her for a date. Casper wakes me before my alarm the next morning, obviously desperate for his mooring walk. "Okay, fella, I'm up." I throw on my joggers and hoodie and head downstairs. I grab my coat and slip my feet into my cold wellies, and head out with Casper. It's 5am the sun is rising, painting the sky with a wonder of colours. It's just coming into spring, so it's still a bit crisp, but neither me nor Capser care. We don't mind the cold. We get to the park where I can let him off, and he's having a whale of time. Chasing through the long grass and bushes. Good god, it will take me ages to brush through his ears later. I chuckle to myself. Well, at least he's having fun. I'm back home half an hour later, and he's happily munching breakfast while I get myself ready for work. I've got the morning shift today, which I quite like, actually. It leaves me the afternoon free to do any odd jobs and then take Casper for a good walk. Then I get to enjoy the evening with my book. I wonder how the first date will go. I grab my coffee to go and give Casper a pat. "See you later boy. Be good, " and off I go to work. "Hey Lou," spying my work bestie, stocking the puppy food section as I enter. "Hey girl. How was your night? Get up to anything good?" She asks me. "Just the usual Lou. Me, Casper, and a good book. " She rolls her eyes at me. "Girl, you need to get out more. You'll never meet Mr. Right if you don't go anywhere. " I shake my head. "Lou, I resigned myself long ago that there's no such thing as Mr. Right. I'm happy as I am." And I am happy, do I dream of more? Of course I do, but that doesn't mean I'm not happy. "I know you're happy hun. But that's not to say you couldn't be even happier. I worry about you, Els." She says, calling me by my nickname. "I know you do Lou, but honestly, I'm fine. How was your night?" I know deploying that question will set her off on a rant, and it does. She spends every moment we have spare over the next hour telling me all about the disastrous date she had last night. Lou is a serial dater. I've lost count of how many dates she's been on, but they always end badly. She really has the most terrible taste in men. Honestly, the stories she tells me I'm glad I gave up long ago! "Excuse me, Miss." I look up and see the most drop-dead gorgeous man. He's got the most stunning blue eyes I've ever seen, and a head full of the most glorious thick red hair and a beard to match. He looks like a viking! He's tall, and wow, he definitely works out. The sheer manliness radiating out of him almost has me sweating. "Yes, Sir. How can I help you?" I put on my best customer service smile. "I'm just wondering if I can get some advice on food for my dog. My vet recommended you guys as she's been getting itchy skin. He said it's a food allergy. And well I looked at what you have and I don't know where to start." He says laughing. "Of course, no problem, let's go over what she's fed on now and when the problem started and we can find the best match for you" I lead him over to the dog food section and go through all his dogs history with him. He has a springer, too. He listens to me so intently while I'm running through each food and adding my personal recommendations. "This one here has worked wonders for my own springer. It has added glucosamine to keep their joints supple, and it's also got juniper, rosemary, and evening primrose oil for the skin." He's hanging off every word I say like it's the most important thing he'll ever hear. "Oh, that sounds good." he looks a bit bewildered by all the choices. "It is a really good food, but obviously every dog is different. What works for one doesn't necessarily mean it will work for another. So you'll find it will be a case of trial and error. It's definitely one of the more pricier options, but personally, I think it's worth it." Again, he's looking at me so intently that I blush a little bit. I mean, hell, I'm not looking for a hot guy, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate one when i see one. "Elsie!" I hear Lou shout me before she appears round the corner. "Oh... sorry you're with a customer. Can I have a hand when you've finished?" She turns to head back off around the corner, but she catches my eye and mouths the word "wow" at me. "Sure," I call after her. "Sorry about that. Do you need me to run over anything else or leave you to ponder the choices?" I ask the handsome specimen in front of me. "Neither," he replies. "Oh..." I start, but he interrupts. "I've decided to take your expert knowledge, Elsie. I'll take this one you recommended. Thank you. " The way he says my name sounds so good, his voice is so deep and sexy... very manly, typical the man is perfect. "Oh... excellent, well this way to the checkout, please. I hope your dog gets on well with it. We allow dogs in store. You should bring her in next time." Oh god, I'm prattling on now. Talking about next time. The poor man probably never wants to see me again after I've chewed his ear off for the past 45 minutes and made a fool of myself by blushing at him. "I just might have to do that. Thank you, Elsie. Enjoy the rest of your day, " he says as he walks to the door. He turns and winks at me, and I blush again. "You too Sir". Well... what the hell was that. I head off in search of Lou to see what she wanted. "Hey Lou. Did you need me?" She's looking at the space in front of her, where the dog toys are. "Oh Els, who was that drop-dead gorgeous beast you were with? Is he single? No bet he's married. The best ones are. But hell, if he's single, you should ask him on a date." I roll my eyes. "Lou, I've told you..." she cuts me off "Yes I know. You're happy as you are. But really, come on a fine specimen like that?" She fans her face for dramatic effect, and we both laugh. "Okay, I admit it, he was gorgeous. Are you happy now? And what did you want me for?" She places her hands together as if she's praying."Thank the lord, she's not immune!" She says, laughing at me then."Can you just help me with this display? I want to put some of the new toys out, " she asks as she starts making space. "Sure thing," and by the time I finish my shift, we've almost got most of it out.