* * *
‘Hi, James.’
‘Well hello. How’s it going? What are you up to?’
‘I’m on my way to meet a friend, just walking down the road from Meg’s house. It’s raining. It rains a lot in Glasgow.’ This was good. This was what they did; they chatted on the phone. They did not have sex and tell each other they loved each other. Mundane was the way forward. ‘I didn’t bring an umbrella. I should have remembered one. I have my hood pulled up.’
‘Is that the one with the blue fur?’
‘No, a different one. I have more than one hood.’
‘I’m guessing you’re looking beautiful whichever hood it is.’ James’s voice was low and gravelly and Cassie’s insides were turning to jelly.
‘Why thank you,’ she said, trying to sound normal.
‘Talk me through what else you’re wearing.’ Oh, God, this was not going to be a mundane conversation. Cassie was fairly sure she was already blushing.
* * *
‘Hi again.’ This was the third time in two days that James had called her. Their last two conversations had completely avoided any L-word discussion but had beenfilthy, frankly.
‘Hi, James. I can’t talk because I’m just on my way into my aunt’s house.’
He murmured a couple of things to her. And now she was hot all over just as she was about to sit down for afternoon tea. Honestly.
* * *
Cassie took a bite of her – somewhat cardboardy – tuna and sweetcorn sandwich and looked out of the window. They were already halfway down England. They’d be landing in not much over half an hour and James was going to be meeting her at the airport.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d experienced such a fizz of anticipation. From what he’d said on the phone this morning, she was pretty sure that he’d be very keen for another night like Saturday night, and she was equally sure that she’d be very keen herself.
On the one hand, at her age, it was nuts to start something with someone who’d told her he didn’t want kids. Who Dina – her neighbour and best friend – had been hung up on for months. And who’d become a good friend who she’d miss if they stopped seeing each other.
On the other hand, they’d already pretty much put paid to the ‘we’re just friends’ thing on Saturday night and another night wouldn’t make any difference to that and would, almost certainly, be incredible.
She took another bite of the sandwich. Honestly. The bread was so stale. At least she’d get good food later. James had suggested that they go out for dinner. Just the two of them. Very date-like. And they were supposed to be watching a film of Cassie’s choice afterwards, although maybe they’d have better things to do late at night. He’d also suggested that they go for a walk in Hyde Park together this afternoon, also very date-like.
So stomach-churningly exciting, however stupid it might be.
Cassie saw James as soon as she was through the automatic doors. He was a good half head taller and a lot broader than all the people around him, so he was easy to spot.
His chin kind of wobbled as he smiled at her, like a wave of emotion had washed over him. Cassie’s eyes pricked in response.
And then she was clear of all the other passengers and they were standing facing each other.
‘Good flight?’ James asked.
‘Not bad. Had some tepid water and an almost edible sandwich.’
‘Good to hear that you won’t have ruined your appetite for later.’
‘I definitely haven’t done that.’
A slow smile spread across James’s face and he held out his arms. Cassie walked straight into them and they had a long hug. Which was lovely. Yes, this, whatever this was, had no future, but they might as well enjoy today. Before she went home and planned her next solo IVF attempt.
‘Right.’ James released her and picked up her suitcase. ‘Better get going. I have a cab waiting outside.’
It was kind of weird being in the back of a taxi – with, therefore, a taxi driver in the same enclosed space and presumably listening with at least one ear to their conversation – when they obviously had so much personal stuff to say to each other.
