‘Yep, but you never know. What if he has to pop into Cheltenham for something?’
Hmm. Maybe it was just that Evie was less self-conscious around Matthew because they’d met playing badminton, which wasn’t a time when anyone looked glamorous, and they’d just gone from there. In fact it was probably a really positive thing that she felt so comfortable with him.
Fifteen minutes later they were in a department store in the middle of Cheltenham looking at men’s socks.
‘I’m scraping the barrel, aren’t I?’ Evie said. ‘Buying socks. Even just as an extra little present to open.’
‘They’re only part of his present. I think it’s a nice idea.’ Sasha picked up some red ones. ‘These are cool.’
‘Yes, they are. Ireallylike those.’ Evie looked at them and tried to imagine Matthew wearing them. ‘I think they might be a bit too bold for Matthew’s taste.’
‘I mean, they’replainsocks,’ Sasha said. ‘Just red. It isn’t like they’ve got willy pictures on them.’
‘Yeah. No. I don’t think they’re quite right.’ Evie moved over to the black socks. ‘Actually, what about these?’ She picked up some charcoal ribbed ones. ‘These might make a nice change from black ones. Just a hint of grey, and ribbed instead of just normal flat.’ The rib wasn’t too noticeable. Actually, maybe it was a bit. No point buying something for Matthew that she knew he’d never wear. ‘Maybe I’ll just go for flat charcoal ones.’ Dan’s appreciation of the naughty socks she’d bought him for Secret Santa popped into her head. She pushed the thought away, hard.
‘Good plan. Anything else?’
‘Yep. A couple more small things.’ Evie thought, for a while. ‘I’m not sure what, though.’
‘Okay. Smaller things. A book?’
Evie shook her head. ‘He’s very fussy about what he reads.’
‘Okay. Wine?’
‘No. He likes nice wine and a) I don’t know anything about labels and b) I think he drinks quite expensive stuff. Maybe let’s just shop for us now and if I see something I’ll get it. And if not I’ll Amazon-Prime something before Friday.’
* * *
At exactly seven thirty-five on Friday evening, as agreed, a taxi horn honked outside Evie’s flat and she – armed with three wrapped presents, the shirt, the socks and a novelty-and-yet-tasteful kitchen timer that had seemed like a good idea when she’d bought it but less so now – let herself out of the house and hopped into the taxi that Matthew was waiting in.
‘Happy birthday,’ she said, kissing him on the lips.
‘Thank you,’ he said, smiling at her. She caught him dabbing surreptitiously at his lips with his fingers a couple of seconds later.
Hmm. How did Sasha manage to kiss Angus when she was so frequently fully lipsticked-up? Maybe Angus just didn’t mind getting lipstick on his lips.
Evie pushed the thoughts away and snuggled against Matthew where he had his arm waiting for her resting along the back of the seat.
This was nice.
‘So what have you been doing today?’ she asked. ‘How was your birthday golf?’
‘Very good, actually. I tried out my new irons. Fantastic. I have an aged copper wedge, which has really improved my play. I’ve got a couple of funny stories for you from today. But tell me about your day first. How did the Year Ten parents’ breakfast go?’
They were still telling each other about their days when they arrived.
‘When would you like to open your presents?’ Evie asked when they were sitting at the table.
‘Now?’ Matthew smiled at her.
She beamed back at him and handed the presents over.
‘I love them,’ he told her when he’d finished opening them, and leaned across the table for a quick kiss. ‘Thank you. Great choices. You know me very well.’
Two courses, lots of chat and some laughter later, they’d downed a whole bottle of champagne and were halfway through a nice bottle of red and Evie was feeling very mellow.
‘Want to come back to mine tonight?’ she asked.
