‘How did you know that carrot cake is my favourite?’
He shrugged. ‘Hunch.’
Her coffee was getting a little cold in the January air.
‘I don’t know a thing about you, sorry – all I’ve done is blather on about myself. What do you work at?’
‘Tech – I’m an electrical engineer.’
That was good, and simple, and something about the way he said it didn’t invite much investigation. He had a bare ring finger and a steady job. Jeez, Mam would be on the blower to Auntie Patricia before the day was over. She’d better keep her trap shut. It turned out he lived in one of the apartments not far away. Nice apartments. She liked the thought of him living in one of those upmarket places. She liked to think of him happy. Just then one of the Bichons stirred, causing a chain reaction among the other five. They’d timed out.
‘Like kids.’ Finn exhaled and she was so distracted by untangling the leads that she didn’t think about that until afterwards.
‘Can I see you again?’
She could feel his shyness, which made the invitation more affecting. ‘I’d really like that,’ she said and couldn’t help her smile.
‘Have you got an Insta handle?’
This was just a little looser than she’d hoped, but yes, she did. And for a tech kind of guy that was probably absolutely normal.
‘I’ll DM you.’
‘And I’ll reply,’ she quipped in a voice that was more carefree than she felt. ‘Ciao, and thanks for the coffee.’
‘Thank you,’ he said with a wave, before heading off with the anxious Thor.
Chapter 4
‘What are you talking about? You did nothing wrong,’ Zoom Josie reassured her.
‘You don’t think saying “I’d really like that” was too pushy?’
‘Oh, for Pete’s sake, imagine if you hadn’t. You know all those ninety-nine-year-olds who are interviewed about what they regret most in life. Do they ever regret telling someone they liked them? Never. Not one, it just doesn’t happen.’
‘Thanks, Jos, that really helps.’
‘Hang on, I just need to get another Actimel. God, it’s the only thing that helps with the acidity.’
Josie hurried away, leaving an empty chair, and while she waited, Cassie looked down at her phone to see a message notification. Oh crap. Bottoms. Knickers. Just then Josie reappeared.
‘God, I wouldn’t be caught dead drinking these normally, but now I literally panic if I start to run out. I had Pal cycle down to the all-night shop at 3 a.m. on Saturday night.’
‘Don’t move, Jos, I’ve just got a message from Finn99 this very second. What’s “99”? The date, the ice cream?’ Cassie knew she was just trying to mask her nerves.
‘Shut up, just open it.’
Cassie pressed and read: ‘Can I cook you dinner to make up for Thor? He says he’s sorry and wants you to come. One request: no Bichons.’
‘He’s talking through his dog, that’s a good sign. Very,’ said Josie between gulps. There was something about her pregnancy that made consuming anything take on an astonishing urgency.
‘What’ll I say?’
‘Don’t overthink it. What do you want to say?’
‘Well, yes, obviously. Here goes .?.?. “Tell Thor thank you and I’d love to come. OK, no Bichons.” Send. Do you think it’s too soon for dinner?’
‘Oh, for fuck’s sake.’
