‘Well, I can see how that would curtail your social life.’
‘It’s fine. I think it came at a good time, actually – gave me a chance to take stock. I was getting tired of playing the field anyway. I think I’m ready for something more serious.’ Wow, she had no idea where all this material was coming from, but she liked it. Turned out improvisation was her thing! Who knew?
‘Well, at the risk of sounding even cheesier, may I say I’m glad to hear that?’ he said, with a slow smile.
Claire smiled back. ‘So, what about you?’
‘Well, I’m a publisher, as you know. Thirty-two. I run. I live in Highgate with Millie and we have a pretty volatile relationship?—’
‘Millie?’ Claire was surprised by how disappointed she felt.
‘My cat. I told you about her.’
‘Oh yes! The feline one.’ She smiled in relief. ‘How is she?’
‘I’d like to say she was jealous about me coming to meet you, but she’s not arsed, as usual. Sometimes I think she’s just using me for my money. She has very expensive tastes.’
‘You should ditch her. She doesn’t deserve you.’
‘I know, but I’m a besotted fool,’ Mark said, putting his hand on his heart and pulling a pathetic face.
‘What about your family?’
‘I’m an only child. But don’t believe the propaganda,’ he said, with a grin. ‘We’re a much-maligned group.’
‘So youweren’ta spoilt brat who thought the world revolved around you and didn’t know how to share?’
‘Well, I have to admit I’m not good at sharing. I was a nightmare at playschool.’
‘What about your parents? Do they live in London?’
‘They moved to Cornwall when my father retired. I visit as often as I can, which isn’t often enough.’
‘So… girlfriend?’
‘No. I’ve been dating a bit, but nothing serious. I broke up with my last girlfriend about six months ago. Sophie,’ he added, with a faraway look in his eyes. ‘She was even more high maintenance than Millie.’
‘Had you been together long?’
‘About five years, off and on. Mostly on.’
‘That’s a long time. What happened?’
‘We were fighting all the time. We made each other miserable. So we decided to call it a day.’
‘Well, at the risk of sounding cheesy, mayIsay I’m very glad you did,’ she said. She couldn’t believe how easy she was finding it to flirt with him. She hardly recognised herself. She didn’t know what had got into her, but whatever it was, she liked it. It was fun, dressing up, flirting her socks off with Mark, seeing the admiration in his eyes when he looked at her. She was really enjoying being this person, and she was delighted that the spark between them was still there in real life. She liked Mark, and she felt they already had a connection that went way beyond a superficial Twitter flirtation.
When the mains were cleared away, Mark became more business-like again.
‘Do you have an agent?’ he asked her.
‘No. Do I need one?’
He shrugged. ‘It’s up to you, but it would probably be advisable. It shouldn’t be hard to get one when you already have a deal on the table.’
‘And do I?’
‘If you want one.’
