‘How is your poor dad?’
‘Miraculously he’s fully recovered from his two broken legs. I shouldn’t have lied, should I?’
‘He sounds like an arsehole, Holly. I’m surprised you lasted that long.’
I cradle the mug of tea in my hands, relieved to be back in Angus’s company, where I belong.
‘Do you think he believed you?’
‘Probably not.’
‘I bet it’s probably happened to him before.’
‘I ended up paying for our drinks.’
‘It’s definitely happened to him before.’
‘He forgot his wallet.’
‘He didn’t believe you,’ Angus stated, and the more I think about it, the more I agree. That was his payback. ‘No sex, so you can foot the bill,’ he says.
‘To be fair, why should he pay? I’m an independent woman.’ I laugh again, not sure why that sounds so funny, but it does. ‘At least it was good wine. And at least I drank most of it.’ I press my head into my hands. ‘Oh Angus, don’teverlet me go on a date again, what was I thinking?’Tell me, Holly, what do you look for in a man?Someone who makes me laugh. Someone who listens. Someone who is generous. Fun. Someone I can trust. Be myself with. Someone I feel safe with. I tear my eyes away from Angus. ‘Anyway, how was your evening?’
‘It went surprisingly well. Soph and I had a civilised supper.’
‘Oh good,’ I say, wishing I didn’t feel the opposite.
‘I think Benjie feels more secure knowing we can be in the same room together.’
‘And what about you and Sophie?’
‘We haven’t spoken about “us” yet. I don’t want to push it. She mentioned I could have Benjie and Amy for a whole weekend if I wanted to. She’s going on a spa break towards Christmas with a few of her girlfriends. She’d never have asked me a few months ago, so that’s got to be positive, right?’
‘Definitely.’
‘I need to find a job. I mean, whether Soph and I get back together or not, I need to provide for them, and claw back my pride. And more than anything I need something to do. As much as I love watchingHomes Under the Hammer.’
‘No luck then?’
‘More rejections. I tell you, it’s not easy finding a job at the best of times let alone at our age…’
‘Or going on a decent date.’
‘Exactly. It’s even harder after being sacked. I’m hardly an enticing option.’
‘Maybe you should look for something different? You’ve always said your heart isn’t in finance? Maybe your applications are screaming out that you don’t want the job?’
‘Maybe,’ he says, as if he hadn’t thought of that. ‘I mean banking is death by numbers, but I don’t know what I’d do instead.’
‘Can’t teach an old dog new tricks!’
Angus raises an eyebrow.
‘Don’t worry. Just mimicking Giles.’
‘Well, don’t.’ He smiles. ‘But he’s got a point. What I’d love to do is act or work in film again.’
‘Well, do it.’
