"Spencer?" She looks up, startled for a second, before an embarrassed smile forms on her face.

"Ashley! Sorry, I didn’t mean to bulldoze you over just then," she said with a little laugh before tilting her head slightly, as if in deep thought. "Ah… what are you doing here?"

It’s now my turn to feel embarrassed. Maybe she thinks I’m some weird-ass stalker.

"I’m not a weird-ass stalker." I blurt out. Nice one Davies, I’m sure she isn’t onto you now.

Spencer laughs at me, and I smile in relief.

"I’m a regular here I guess. I use to come here all the time with Aiden," I explain, shrugging my shoulders.

"I wouldn’t have pegged you as a bookworm," Spencer replies, smirking a little.

"Oh we’re very good at blending in with the rest of society. What’s your excuse?"

"My brother Clay lives up the road with his wife Chelsea. I was walking back after dinner there and this place caught my eye." She explains freely. I couldn’t help but notice how warm her eyes were. "It’s quite something."

"Yeah it really is." I look around the place before turning back and grinning. I’ve run out of things to say.

I think she has too.

"Ashley!" I can hear Doug walking up the stairs. "Where the hell is that gi- Ashley! I thought maybe you managed to bury yourself under a pile of books or something. Whose your friend?"

I glance from Doug to Spencer and then back to Doug, wondering if I should explain that we weren’t really friends at all…

"I’m Spencer Carlin." Spencer reaches out a hand to shake Doug’s, giving me a reassuring look in the process.

"Lovely to meet you Spencer. I’m Doug." The old man is basically beaming as he shakes Spencer’s hand before turning back to me. "I’m getting coffee now. I’ll bring it up here. Spencer do you have milk?"

"Oh well… actually I…" She stammers, off put by Doug’s open friendliness. Most people are. Even I was at some point.