Violet nodded. ‘That’s true.’
‘Also, Quinn told me what happened to make you cut him off,’ Alex added. ‘There was a limit to what you could withstand.’
‘Yeah, there was,’ Violet said.
‘I get it, I really do.’
‘But that’s why I think it’s so important you start dating again, regardless of my concerns. You stood by him for eighteen months when every day was a living hell, you didn’t leave.’
Alex played with the frayed edge of her sleeve, knowing that wasn’t exactly true.
‘You deserve to be loved again,’ Violet went on. ‘Iwant someone for you who will love you and adore you and treat you with respect and kindness always.’
‘That sounds perfect, although I’m not sure I’m ready for something serious again,’ said Alex. ‘Not yet.’ Although she had told Quinn she was looking for that big love story, in reality that felt like a step too far right now.
‘I totally understand that, it’s hard moving on after a serious relationship. I was married to Henry for fifty-six years, I never thought I’d move on with someone else. But now…’ she suddenly trailed off.
Alex cocked her head, her eyes widening in surprise. ‘But now?’
‘Oh nothing. You better get to your date, you don’t want to be late. Where are you meeting him?’
‘Sweet Escapes.’
‘Oh lovely. Max has just started working there,’ Violet said, referring to Quinn’s cousin. ‘I think he’s sweet on Cleo. And it just so happens I’m on my way there to meet a friend, but don’t worry, I won’t be in your way.’
Alex frowned. Having her mother-in-law in attendance at her first date wasn’t exactly how she had planned it.
‘I’ll go on ahead so it doesn’t look weird if we arrive together,’ Violet said.
It was definitely going to be weird, whether they arrived together or not.
Violet hurried off and Alex saw her disappear inside the bakery.
She bit her lip. What was she doing here? She wasn’t sure she was ready to date again and she definitely wasn’t looking for something serious. She wasn’t ready to put her trust in someone again after what happened with Liam. And what if Violet was right and it did get serious and they didn’t like that Quinn was always hanging around? Beyond the fact she was head over heels in love with him, he was also her best friend. They saw each other every day, they hung out together and watched movies and cosy crime shows, they went on days out together, with Zara and sometimes Immy, they’d even gone on holidays together. She simply couldn’t imagine not having him in her life. But if she wasn’t looking for something serious that only left something casual and she wasn’t sure she wanted that either. The thought of sleeping with a man she barely knew made her stomach turn.
Still, she was here now so she might as well go in.
She took a deep breath and stepped inside Sweet Escapes. Violet was already at the counter just taking her coffee. She gave Alex a big theatrical wink which if her date was there he would undoubtedly have seen. Fortunately there was no one who looked like him waiting at any of the tables.
Alex waved at Cleo Knight, the owner, and Max Wild, Quinn’s cousin and Cleo’s new assistant, who were working behind the counter. She was nervous about this date so she’d arrived a little early so she could take a few minutes to calm herself. She’d never been on a proper date before so she wasn’t exactly sure of theetiquette. She went to the counter to order herself a drink and wondered if she should order Dave one too. Although she didn’t know what drink he liked, it didn’t seem right to buy herself one and not get one for him. Hot chocolate seemed safe. Surely everyone liked hot chocolate.
‘Hey Alex, what can I get you?’ Cleo said after she finished serving the last customer.
‘Two hot chocolates please.’
‘With cream, marshmallows and a flake?’
‘Oh sure, why not.’
Cleo ran it through the till as Max started making them and Alex leaned forward to talk to her. ‘Cleo, I’m on a date. If he’s awful, I might need you to save me.’
‘I’m on it! We need a code or a signal. I know, if I see you playing with the tassels on your scarf I’ll run over and tell you your house is burning down or something.’
Alex laughed. ‘Perfect, although maybe something a little less dramatic.’
‘Got it.’
Max came over with the drinks. ‘And if he’s a weirdo and you don’t feel safe, scratch your chin and I’ll come over and physically remove him.’
