She raised her eyebrows.
‘Maybe I should clarify,’ he said. ‘If you asked David that question– he’s the one over there in the green jacket– he’d probably tell you I’m about as gentle in my approach as a sledgehammer. But I’ve never agreed with that. I think I’m really relaxed. Unless it’s something I consider to be important.’
‘Who is David?’ she asked.
‘He’s my brother.’
She glanced across, noting the physical similarities. ‘He should know, then.’
‘Maybe,’ Gull said. ‘Do you have siblings?’
‘A half-brother. But I wouldn’t trust him to have any reliable opinions aboutmypersonality.’
‘You don’t get on?’
She laughed. ‘He’s … Well, let’s just say it’s complicated.’
‘You have an amazing smile, by the way.’
Tania frowned and looked away.
‘Maybe I am being a bit of a sledgehammer,’ he said and took a step back. ‘Sorry.’
‘No, it’s not you …’
‘Oh, Christ. We’ve got to the “it’s not you, it’s me” line already. And our relationship is only five minutes old.’ He mimed a stab to the heart. ‘Listen, before we split our assets and decide who gets the dog, why don’t we have something to eat?’
Tania couldn’t stop herself from smiling and nodding. ‘All right,’ she said. ‘But I’m keeping the dog.’
‘I don’t think Tania’s having lunch with us any longer,’ Rose said, as they watched her disappear into the restaurant with the hot tub guy.
‘I wonder what he said to win her round?’ Clara said.
‘Does anyone else want her hot chocolate?’ Madeleine asked. ‘If it’s going to go to waste, I’ll have it and forgo the pudding I had planned.’
‘Did you know about Rory Flannagan?’ Clara asked. The question was aimed in her direction, but Rose hesitated. She knew all about Rory Flannagan.
Madeleine licked chocolatey foam from her spoon. ‘The First Galaxy actor?’
‘Yes,’ Clara said, frowning.
‘He’s married, isn’t he?’ Madeleine said. ‘I read something about him recently, and some affair he was supposed to be having—’ She paused, glancing across to where Tania had been standing. ‘Oh … Was it …?’
Rose huffed a breath. ‘Don’t say anything.’
‘She told me it’s over. That she ended it,’ Clara said.
Rose nodded. ‘Yes. But I’ve never understood why she does that. Why she always goes for men who are ultimately unavailable, in some way. Or she dates them for two minutes and then dumps them. There’s always something that means it’s only ever destined for failure. Like that guy who was in training for the British Olympic ski team? Do you remember him?’
‘The fitness freak? Egg-white omelette man?’
Rose grinned. ‘Yes. Mr Navel Gazer. Told her he couldn’t have a proper relationship because it didn’t fit in with his training schedule. My point is, it’s always been the same. It’s as if she chooses the wrong men on purpose. Or chooses the right men but dumps them before she finds out if they have the potential to be long term. Perhaps she just prefers short term. She keeps saying she’s never going to fall in love.’
Clara drained her mug. ‘Do you think that’s why she’s talking to this guy? Because she’s ultimately not that interested in him?’
Rose shrugged. ‘Why change the habit of a lifetime?’
‘What will it take for you to allow me to buy you a drink this evening?’ Gull said.
