‘I wish you would stay here.’
‘I meant on the ground,’ said Dixie, watching more flowers spring up around her.
‘That’s OK too,’ he said. ‘The whales won’t see us down here.’
‘Good thinking,’ agreed Dixie. ‘You’re very smart,’ she added.
‘You’re very lovely. I especially like your tail.’ He swallowed hard. ‘I think I love you,’ he added in a rush and then he kissed her.
*
Nora and Jay were in Jay’s garden enjoying the sunshine while Bruce lay with his legs in the air in the hope of someone scratching his belly. Nora sipped her Diet Coke and relished the rare feeling of warmth on her skin. She had expected to feel different at this point. Her review of her back catalogue of men was complete and she had achieved her goal, although she hadn’t. The review hadn’t delivered a definitive answer. Had she overlooked the one or had she made sound decisions with all of her ex-partners? There was still a large question mark hanging over Liam but for now she was going to sit with her friend and enjoy the tiny glimpse of summer because you never knew how long it would last.
She’d been thinking a lot about Jay. Mainly puzzling thoughts. She feared she was confusing friendship with something else. They were good together, there was no denying that, but just because they had the same sense of humour and a couple of things in common it didn’t mean they should embark on a relationship. Plus neither of them had ever given the merest inkling that they might be attracted to each other. She supposed she could just ask him. That would be the quickest way to find out how he felt, but was that the same as declaring howshefelt? The last thing she wanted was to make Jay feel awkward if he thought she fancied him but he didn’t feel the same. No, she would have to word it in the right way to get away without any impact on their friendship. That was too important to her to lose.
‘Just got an email. I might have a lead on Theo Carlisle,’ said Jay, interrupting her thoughts.
‘Ooh, exciting. Tell me more.’
‘Art gallery in Devon did an exhibition a few years back so I’ve asked if they can pass on my details. I said I was a solicitor in the hope that Mr Carlisle thinks it’s worth him getting in touch.’
‘Naughty,’ said Nora. ‘But also genius. I hope he takes the bait.’
Jay’s phone pinged and he opened a message, giggled and began speedily responding. Nora peered over her sunglasses at him. ‘I’m guessing it’s not your stalker?’
‘No. It’s just Tasha.’
‘You two seem to be getting on well.’ She pushed her sunglasses back up her nose and turned her face back to the sun.
‘Yeah we are.’ There was a brief pause. ‘She wants us to be exclusive.’
Nora had a sensation like she’d never experienced before. Gutted didn’t come close. It was as if someone had ripped out her major organs, dropped them in a blender and shoved the mush back inside, expecting her to carry on as if everything was exactly the same when it wasn’t. In that single sentence, everything had changed. All the possibilities had been deleted. If the house had suddenly landed on top of her it would have had less impact. ‘She wants what… So are you two… Obviously you are… How long?’ It wasn’t the most coherent sentence she’d ever put together butconsidering her discombobulated state she felt it covered the main points. Apart from the burning question as to how come she didn’t know anything about Jay and Tasha.
‘She was being really flirty the last time I saw her, but I figured I’d gotten it wrong and she was just being friendly. But she’s been messaging me ever since, and we have stuff on this week and a thing on Saturday.’
‘A thing?’ Nora almost spun herself off the plastic garden chair in her haste to see Jay’s face. What did he mean by ‘a thing’? Was it a serious thing, or just a thing?
‘You know?’ he said. ‘Press, radio and TV interviews. All very dull. And there’s theUndercover Bulletspremiere on Saturday night.’ He said it like it was an afterthought. Like when you say ‘extra cheese’ when you’re ordering a pizza.
Nora opened and closed her mouth like a goldfish taking its final gulps of air. ‘Premiere? As in posh outfits, red carpet, stars of stage and screen?’
‘Nah, not really. It’s a bit last minute because Tasha’s last film has done pretty well so they’re squeezing us in. Like I’ll be squeezing myself into my tux.’ He snorted and carried on texting.
‘Stop. Jay, this is huge.’ Nora waved a hand in front of his face.
‘Oh, did you want to come? I get a few free tickets. To be honest, we’ll probably be glad of bums on seats.’
‘But I’ve got Bruce most of this week, which is whyI’m working from home, plus I’ve got him on Saturday.’ She’d not realized exactly where Jay had been planning on going when she’d signed up to dog-sit. Her mind had been too preoccupied with ex-boyfriends to question it.
‘We can see if Renee’s available. Or there’s always next time. Let’s hope there is a next time,’ he said.
Nora felt uncomfortable: a little sweaty and anxious. ‘Did I miss something? With you and Tasha?’
He put his phone away. ‘If you did, I think I did too. I’m not sure what it is or even if it is anything but hey. It can’t do any harm, right?’
Alarm bells were going off in Nora’s head. Her biggest quandary was whether to share any of her fears with Jay. Tasha was big right now and he’d fancied her for ages. But how hadn’t he realized that he was in a relationship with her sooner? Perhaps she was looking for problems. Or maybe Jay was playing it down. After all, he didn’t owe her an explanation. He was her friend and she should be happy for him. She felt bad for not being instantly supportive.
‘You could be the next Brangelina,’ she said, trying to lighten her heavy mood.
