“It is easy. Well, the letter writing part, anyway. Here,” he grabbed a pen and notepad and slapped them down in front of Oliver, “get on with it. And as for her saying no, well if you don’t ask, you’ll never know, will you? I have a feeling she’ll say yes, though. It sounds like you get on quite well, and the way she acted when I called you over told me something was amiss. I reckon she just didn’t know what to say. She doesn’t get asked out much as so many people just can’t see beyond her weight, and they have absolutely no idea what they’re missing out on.”
Oliver nodded thoughtfully. “Okay, that all makes sense. So what you’re saying is we’re both rubbish at chatting up the opposite sex, and that if I don’t make the first move, she won’t either?”

“Pretty much.”

“Well, fuck that. I’m not missing out on my opportunity with a great gal. The blokes round here must have a screw loose if they’re passing her by because of her figure. So she’s not a size ten, so fucking what? I think she looks great as she is. Fantastic, actually. And you know why? Because she’s happy. Happy and healthy, and bubbly. What could be more attractive than that?”

“I like you already. Now get scribbling. In fact, if you hurry up and write something before your food comes out, that and your drink are on the house. Just don’t tell Adele, okay? I’ll leave you alone for a minute.”

Alex grabbed a second notebook and pen and started checking the bottles hanging from the optics, the crisps, peanuts and other snacks attached to cardboard holders. Presumably he was working out what he needed to order in. Pulling his gaze away, Oliver forced it onto the blank page in front of him. Pretending to be fascinated by what Alex was up to wasn’t going to help him ask Adele out now, was it?

As it happened, Alex encouraging him, both in general and to hurry up, helped immensely. Because he didn’t have lots of time to think about what to write, he just jotted down the first things that came into his mind. When he read the thing back, he decided it had been for the best, because the words were truthful and to the point.

Oliver didn’t reply. Instead he grabbed her and rolled her on top of him.

“Whoa!” she said, as she settled into position, her knees either side of his waist. “I’ll squash you.”

“Adele, be quiet. You won’t. I know you’re painfully aware of the fact that you’re a big girl, but you have to remember that I’m also a big boy. And I’m strong too. So just relax and enjoy yourself.”

She huffed out a breath, looked at him thoughtfully. Then her serious expression morphed into one that could only be described as mischievous. “Yes,” she said, wriggling her hips, “you are a big boy, aren’t you?”

Oliver laughed. “Oh, wouldn’t you like to know? Maybe it’s all padding. Perhaps I’ve got a pair of socks down there or something?”

“Maybe you have,” she replied, “and yes, I’d definitely like to know. If we weren’t in such a public place, I’d do my damndest to find out too.”

“Well,” he said, reaching up to pull her down onto him, “I can’t wait until you do. For now, though, just kiss me.”