‘Are you still there?’ he said.
‘So, about this meet-up, when were you thinking?’
She heard him smile. ‘Next Friday?’
‘OK, sounds good, but let me see, I’ll have to confirm with you on Thursday,’ she replied, feeling just a little bit in control. She could get used to this.
Chapter 6
‘Are you mad?’
Mam’s face was incredulous.
Cassie had just arrived home from her dog walking on Tuesday and was peeling off her layers and looking forward to a nice mug of fresh coffee and a ham salad sandwich. The last thing she needed was one of Mam’s dire life-warnings.
‘You’re making him wait untilThursday? I only hope you’re not a sorry girl. Remember that song by The Weather Girls?’
‘No.’
‘Ah, you do, “It’s raining men, halleluiah, it’s raining men .?.?.”’
‘Oh, that one .?.?.’
‘Well, it isn’t. That’s nonsense, and if he’s as dishy as you say, he won’t be on the shelf for long. He’s in a difficult situation with all those kids, for the love of God don’t make it any harder for him.’
Trust Mam to take the man’s side every time.
‘Stop it, will you, you’re scaring me.’
‘I’m only saying it for your own good. If this chap has a flaw, it’s being too committed. Men like that don’t grow on trees, and if you do see him again, try and glam up a bit. As your father always used to say, you don’t go fishing without bait.’
‘Mam!’
‘What? It’s supposed to be a date, not a trip to Aldi. Now, do you want mustard on the ham?’
By Wednesday, Cassie was in a state; the conversation with Mam had rattled her more than she’d realised. Josie looked pale and drawn on the screen but was the only person Cassie really trusted for reassurance.
‘She’s your mum, Cass, you know what she’s like.’
‘Yeah, but she has a point. What was I thinking, playing it cool? I’ve been freaking out about it ever since. What if he’s changed his mind?’
Josie smiled tiredly. ‘He won’t have. Anyhow, if he did back off that easily, you’d be dodging a bullet.’
She felt a surge of gratitude towards her old friend.
‘Thanks, Josie, I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’ll make it up to you someday soon, I swear.’
‘Just be happy that tomorrow’s Thursday. Text him early, for God’s sake. And then let me know.’
The following morning, perched on the edge of the bed, Cassie managed to hold out until 9.15 a.m.
Hi, things have worked out. You still on for tomorrow?
She was wondering about adding some funny, sexy quips or winky emojis but there was no point in putting her foot in it – better to check the mood first, before making an eejit of herself.
There followed the most stressful three hours she could remember. Finally, at 12.48 p.m. the phone buzzed.
Crazy day at work. Been thinking of you. Mine 7 p.m.?
