‘Yeah, they were okay. James is at uni, so he’s been back and forth. Danny, as I mentioned before, took over the business. He was about to move out when Jane died, actually. After that, he decided I needed someone to stay with me, and so he let the flat that he’d planned to move into fall through, and that’s how it’s been ever since.’
‘That was kind of him.’
‘Yeah, he’s a good lad. His heart’s in the right place. Although I do tease him that he’s doing it to save money on renting somewhere,’ jokes Elias.
I want to ask if that is why he is so reticent about me going to Manchester, but I tread carefully.
‘Would the boys be okay about you seeing someone?’
‘Ah. Well, no, quite honestly. Of course, they think their mum is irreplaceable, which is understandable, but more than that, they think every woman who speaks to me is a gold digger. I’m like, umm, can a woman not like me for my sparkling personality and not be after my wallet?’ Elias laughs.
‘Well, that’s definitely an attraction. I mean, your personality. Not your wallet! But, no, I’m sure they have to look out for you after your win. That’s only natural.’
‘Yeah, it’s hard enough trying to tell them I’m ready to move on with my life after their mum. It’s doubly hard when they think every woman is after my money.’
‘Yeah, I can sympathise. When did the tables turn and we get told what to do by our kids?’
‘When we got too soft, I think.’
‘Too true. I’ve never been able to say no to the girls, and now I’m definitely paying the price. They get away with everything.’
‘You and I should run away together like you suggested before. That’ll teach them,’ says Elias.
As he smiles, something in his eyes tells me he is serious. He is really thinking about my off-the-cuff remark in France.
I sit back and look at him curiously. ‘Can you imagine if we did?’
‘Yes, I can, and it would be bloody marvellous!’ He doesn’t hesitate. ‘We could rent one of those places near the sea. Just one summer, you and I.’
‘Oh, don’t tempt me.’
‘I amtryingto tempt you! In fact, forget that – I’m inviting you. It’s not quite June yet. How about me and you together for the rest of summer? We can lie by the beach, drink cocktails in the evening and then, well, we can let the nights dictate how they’ll end. What you reckon?’
‘You are quite serious, aren’t you?’
‘I am. Look, since you live all the way down here and I live all the way up in Manchester, and since we seem to have dramas with our kids in this country, let’s just run away. It’ll be like the reverse, and we’re the youngsters who are in love and disappear together.’
Did he just sayin love? I get a bit flummoxed and carelessly spill some wine on the coffee table.
‘Poppy and Jasmine would never forgive me,’ I say as I mop up the mess.
‘James and Danny wouldn’t either.’
‘Yeah, we have our commitments. Even though the kids are older, they still need us. They’ve all been through quite a lot for such a young age,’ I say.
‘Of course, I shouldn’t have said that. I’d never want to come between you and your precious girls. I caused enough trouble when poor Poppy caught me staying over. Sorry, I get carried away sometimes. I get excited by things and am far too spontaneous for my own good.’
‘No, it’s fine. It’s such a lovely thought. Imagine, you and I waking up with the sea lapping against the shore. The smell of jasmine flowers or frangipani in the air, all that good food and snuggling up to you. I can’t think of anything better. It’s a lovely idea.’
‘It’d be absolute bliss. I tell you what, how about we start with you visiting Manchester? I’d like the boys to meet you. If that isn’t too fast for you? I want to take our relationship further – if you’d like that too – and if I’m to do that, then I think I need to tell the boys about you.’
I am thrilled. He has finally invited me to Manchester! I couldn’t be happier.
‘That would be wonderful. Would that be okay for James and Danny though?’
‘It’ll have to be. You know what they say, there’s no time like the present. Why put it off any longer? I mean, it doesn’t get much more serious than wishing I could run off with you to France. Why don’t you come up next weekend? It’ll give me all week to prepare them for your arrival.’
‘Oh, I can’t stay with you. It wouldn’t be fair to the boys when they haven’t met me before.’
