‘I don’t smoke,’ I said. ‘Although, to be honest, if I ever do get round to a date, I’d be so nervous, I’d wish I did… Ah, not…?’
‘No, Jess,notcigarettes. You see,’ she added sagely (as if we were back in Year 7 once more and she was explaining, as she had, to a wide-eyed gaggle of us in the school canteen over sausage and chips, the apparent intricacies of fellatio), ‘men don’t always take responsibility for their sexual health. As such, we need to do it for them.’
‘I can assure you, particularly on a first date, there will be no need to be even considering such things.’
‘Ah, that’s what you think,’ Serena said smugly. ‘Being out of practice, as you so obviously are, you’ll have forgotten what it’s like…’ She broke off as we were about to go into The Dog and Duck, hearing running behind us.
‘Shall we get straight off, Jessica?’ George, his hair still wet from the shower, joined us at the pub door. ‘Unless you’re desperately thirsty of course?’
‘No, that’s fine.’ I smiled, turning away from the pub, ignoring the look on Serena’s face.
‘I’ll ring you,’ she said pointedly.
‘You do that.’ I laughed. Actually, probably a bit mean to laugh; I should have explained George was just using me in an advisory capacity.
‘You smell nice,’ George said as he opened the car door for me. ‘Jo Malone? Orange Blossom?’
‘Well done.’ I was impressed.
‘Mina’s choice of perfume.’
‘Right. My Christmas present from Robyn and Fabian…’ I trailed off.
‘Nice couple,’ George said. ‘Not easy for Robyn teaching at St Mede’s with what’s going on at the moment.’
‘With what’s going on? You mean you and your family’s intention to pull the place down and build another Frozen factory?’ I said, my tone accusatory.
‘I actually meant with the place going down the toilet. The kid’s accident can’t have helped?’ George reversed and exited the car park at speed.
I turned to look at him, taking in the olive skin, the black hair, the beginning of dark stubble on his jaw. And, for some unfathomable reason, my heart did a little somersault. You know, that lovely feeling you get when you’re in close proximity with a very gorgeous man? George Sattar? Very gorgeous? What on earth was the matter with me? One – slightly – handsome man just a few inches from me and I was having fantasies about what it would be like to kiss him? Was I so deprived of sex (or was it love and affection?) I was now looking at this man I’d berated for the past few weeks as a candidate to fulfil the void?
‘Jessica?’
‘Sorry? Sorry!’ I brought myself back to the moment.
‘You OK? You’ve gone very quiet? That seatbelt bothering you?’ George asked as I started to adjust the belt for something to do with my hands.
‘Sorry, no… Yes… The accident? Blane Higson – that’s the boy on the bike…’
‘I know.’ George stared ahead.
‘Oh?’
‘Dreadful business. That poor kid… If I’d just been a few seconds later or earlier…’ He trailed off.
‘So, any injuries yourself?’ I turned back to him – a good excuse to have another examination of his profile. He appeared to be all in one piece.
‘Only slightly to the car. In for minor repair at the moment – I get it back in the morning. It was a shock, I can tell you. Must have been worse for you with him sliding off your windscreen?’
‘You know about that?’
‘Of course. Robyn told me. I see a lot of her at school. She’s doing a fabulous job at St Mede’s what with this production she’s putting on. Although I hear that’s all off now? Her Danny Zuko going off to Benidorm or somewhere?’
‘Well, hopefully with Joel…’ I trailed off. Should I be explaining about Joel’s whereabouts? Andy had said probably best not to broadcast that I now had a lodger.
‘Joel?’ George continued to watch the road ahead, but I could sense immediate interest at his name. I recalled Joel’s apparent surprise at seeing George at Kamran’s place.
‘Oh, nothing. Just something and nothing…’ We drove on in silence, George seemingly deep in thought. Eventually, once we were out on the road towards the Pennine hills that surrounded Beddingfield, I ventured, ‘So, where are we going and why are you takingme? Why on earth d’you thinkI’mgoing to be able to advise you about anything?’
