I smiled, enjoying his discomfort and the fact that we shared these sorts of secrets. “Size?”
“I have no issue with people knowing that.”
“The noise you make when you, you know - ”
“What noise?”
“That little squeak.”
“I don’t squeak.”
“Maybe my pet name for you should be Squeaker.”
He groaned. “Stop it, Rosie. It’s been a long day. Why did Laurie come round?”
As much fun as it would be having a girls’ night at The Ritz, it would be strange without Harriet, and what I really wanted was for it to be with Carter. Rather than overthinking it, I tapped into the streak of impulsivity that sometimes made me make the best decisions.
Or sometimes not.
“To give me a gift. The man from the bookshop, someone to do with her grandfather, gave you a wedding gift: a night in a luxury suite at The Ritz. Laurie gave it me to use.” I waited for his response, whether he’d find it odd, or something poetic about it.
He laughed. “We made a joke about that happening. What are you going to do with it?”
“Use it. I might never get another chance for a night at The Ritz.”
“On your own?” There was another question there.
“Maybe.” I left him dangling.
“It’s your choice. I saw your dad today.”
He’d saved that one. “Really? How was he?”
“His usual self. He asked me how we were getting on.”
“Did he say anything embarrassing?” I was sitting up straight now.
“It’s your dad; of course he did. He asked if I’d taken you out on a date yet.”
I almost choked.
“Rose, what’s happening?”
I managed to swallow. “Tea went down the wrong way. What did he say?”
“He asked if I’d taken you out on a date yet. Why would he ask that?” Carter sounded too curious. “Were you writing my name in love hearts on a steamed up mirror when you were fourteen or something?”
“Probably.” Bloody mother effing hell hounds.
“Ah, things are making sense. What are you doing tomorrow?” He moved the conversation on, but I knew it wasn’t finished entirely.
“Work and then a class at the gym. Nothing after that. It’s still strange without Harriet and it’s going to be like that for ages.” I told him about my idea of moving back to Borough or Southwark so I was closer to everyone, and we ended up jointly looking at houses online, passing comment on the state of the décor and the price until midnight struck.
“Do you want to see a film tomorrow?” Carter asked. “Hang out.”
I remembered everything I’d said about taking it slowly, and wished he was here with me right now, but part of that was down to Harriet’s absence.
“You can buy the popcorn.” I paused, waiting. “Do you want to share the night at the Ritz with me?”
