‘I’m on it,’ he said as he rummaged in her bag. He pulled out her phone. ‘Well, well, well,’ said Jay and Nora’s interest jumped a notch higher.
‘What? Who is it?’ she asked with a couple of quick glances in his direction.
‘Liam wants to know if you would like to meet him for a coffee.’
Nora wasn’t sure if she was pleased or not. ‘Coffee? That’s not a date, is it? Coffee is… what is coffee?’
Jay pulled a face. ‘Friends have coffee. My nan has coffee with friends.’
It wasn’t the response she’d been hoping for but at least Liam had got in touch. She was trying to stay positive. ‘Exactly. But it’s better than nothing. And he didsay he was getting over a break-up. Please can you reply with something casual.’
‘I’m not replying straight away. That smacks of desperation,’ said Jay. ‘I don’t want him thinking that I’ve been hovering over my phone like a saddo. I mean, that you’ve been waiting for his message. He’ll think you have nothing better to do.’
‘Good point. There’s no rush. He’s kept me waiting. I’ll reply tonight.’
‘We could compose something for you at Renee’s.’
‘Oh heavens. Can you imagine what Renee would say?’ They both burst out laughing.
‘Bloody hell,’ said Renee. ‘Not exactlyFifty Shades, is it?’
Nora held her phone in her hands, ready to send a text to Liam. ‘That’s not what you suggest I put, is it?’
‘Nooo,’ said Renee. ‘Although…’ She tilted her head as if considering it. ‘No. I’d say something like. “Can do, but a large G&T is more my thing. Talking of my thing.” Then I’d put those three little dots.’
‘An ellipsis,’ said Jay.
Nora hesitated with her fingers over the keys. ‘That really doesn’t sound like the sort of thing I’d say.’
‘I think keep it simple,’ said Jay.
‘Bruce Willis had a great chat-up line. He used to ask, “What are you doing for sex later?”’ Renee pursed her lips. ‘Very effective, I can tell you.’
Jay was looking impressed. ‘You knew Bruce Willis?’
‘In between wives only,’ said Renee. As if that explained things adequately. Jay opened his mouth but seemed to think better of questioning further.
‘How about,’ began Nora, ‘“Sounds good. I’m free any time.”?’
Nora looked at the others for reassurance. Jay sucked in a breath.
‘Don’t imply you have nothing and nobody better to do,’ said Renee. ‘Even if that is the case,’ she added quietly.
‘Why is this so hard?’ asked Nora. ‘Come on. Tell me what to put.’
‘Maybe you could say: “A coffee sounds fine. Let me know when you’re free and I’ll check my diary”,’ offered Jay.
‘I like that,’ said Renee, giving him an approving raise of her glass before taking another swig. ‘Just the right level of interested, I’d say.’
‘Great.’ Nora tapped out the message word for word. ‘Should I add a kiss?’ She looked up at the waiting faces.
‘Did he put one?’ asked Renee.
‘No,’ said Jay quickly.
‘Then definitely not,’ said Renee.
‘OK. And send.’ Nora pressed the button and immediately swapped her phone for her cup of tea.
