Rick insisted when they’d finished eating and Jerry began packing up. “There’s no need,” Jerry rushed to say as he stacked the chairs to carry. He was very much looking forward to spending a few minutes alone with Lara when he walked her back to the rectory, and he didn’t want Rick disrupting that part of the evening, too. “It’s the least I can do after you shared such a wonderful meal with me,” Rick said ignoring Jerry’s protests as he cleared the table. Lara took the casserole dish and the candle, while he wrapped the plates, cutlery and glasses in the table cloth and packed it all in a basket that had been under the table. “I can come back for that stuff,” Jerry insisted in frustration. “Nonsense. I’m here, so I’ll help,” Rick said. The table was light to carry, so Rick also picked up the basket. He and Lara set off for the pub, leaving Jerry to follow with the chairs.
