‘Why? You’re so good at what you do.’ Spencer tops up my glass. I like men who notice when a glass needs refilling.
‘I need a change.’
‘That’s all very well, but jobs are hard to come by these days. If you seriously want change, come and work for us.’
‘I can’t do that.’
‘Why not? Get away from Ward.’
‘Why do you hate each other so much?’
‘He’s a difficult sod.’
I think of Ward’s overreaction to Spencer arriving unannounced, can still see the fury in his eyes. ‘What exactly happened between you two?’
Spencer puts on a camp expression. ‘We had an affair. He cheated on me.’
‘Oh, be serious.’
‘You’re thirsty tonight.’ He picks up the bottle.
‘I don’t get out much. Tell me.’
‘It’s way too boring to go into,’ he insists. ‘The thing is, I’m willing to put it all behind us. I’m prepared to be the bigger man. Ward isn’t.’
I recall Ward saying, ‘When someone wrongs me that’s it,’ before noticing yet another woman pass our table and stare at Spencer before strutting off with a flick of her hair. He leans towards me. ‘I didn’t bring you out to talk about Ward. Let’s change the subject to you and how hot you look in that top.’
‘Spence, if you want to sleep with me…’
He grins suggestively, ‘Again.’
‘You need way more original lines than “you look hot” because that’s what you say to anyone in a skirt.’ The wine is slipping down nicely now.
He crosses his arms, gives me another flirtatious grin that reminds me of when I’d first met Dan. There is a playfulness in Spencer’s eyes that is undeniably attractive and I’m beginning to wonder what harm there could be just having a fling, no strings. At least I know Spencer; there wouldn’t be any shy or awkward scenes in the bedroom, no stripping off in front of a stranger. And let’s face it: I need some distraction.
‘What I like about you, Jan, is that you challenge me. This is the first time I’ve managed to drag you out for a drink, just the two of us.’
‘And Spud.’
Spud sits up, looks at Spencer, hoping for another peanut.
‘If I’m honest, all I have to do is click.’ He clicks his fingers. Spud jumps up, paws on Spencer’s thigh, eyeballing the packet of peanuts.
‘I’m not that well trained, Spence.’
‘But with you…’
‘So, it’s all about the chase. But when you get your wicked way, what happens next?’
‘Well, let’s see, shall we?’
I don’t stop him from ordering a second bottle.
‘Sometimes, Spence, just sometimes,’ I hiccup, ‘I think I missed out on my twenties.’
‘Doing the mum thing.’
‘Don’t get me wrong, I gained a lot too, I wouldn’t change anything, but…’
