I didn’t think it was healthy for me to bring men home, only to have to explain to Ricky months later that things had ended, so I didn’t actively pursue anything again until Ricky started uni.
My last foray into dating was three years ago, whilst Ricky spent two weeks in Devon with his best friend and his family. Juliette encouraged me to sign up for a dating app (despite the fact that she never dared use them herself) and that was another epic failure. So after several disastrous dates, I finally decided to call time on looking for love for good. It was too much hard work for zero reward.
‘The idea of meeting someone sounds cool in theory, but after my last attempt at using dating apps, I’d rather stay single, thanks.’
‘Times have moved on since then, darling. Dating apps are not the only way to meet a man. I have arranged something very special to bring you out of your shell. I will reveal everything when Marjorie and Cordelia arrive…’ A cheeky glint flashed in her eyes. I was about to ask what she meant when the doorbell rang.
Juliette sashayed to the door. When she returned, our neighbours, Marjorie and Cordelia, were with her.
‘Hello, sweetie!’ Marjorie said as she air-kissed both my cheeks. She had short brown hair, white skin and was wearing her favourite bright pink lipstick, which matched the roses on her long floral-patterned dress.
‘Hi!’ I replied.
‘I brought the gift!’ Cordelia waved an envelope in the air before greeting me.
Like Marjorie and Juliette, Cordelia was in her fifties. She was dressed in a smart pleated blue dress. Her porcelain skin was plump and smooth, probably thanks to her regular high-end facials. And her blonde bob was always immaculate.
‘Fantastique!’ Juliette said. ‘I will tell Laila about it now before surprise number two.’
‘Surprise numbertwo?’ My brows furrowed. ‘What’s going on?’
‘I told you, darling,’ Juliette said. ‘I have organised some treats for you!’
‘Here.’ Cordelia handed me the envelope.
I tore it open and found a sheet of paper inside.
‘What’s this?’ I said, scanning the text.
‘It’s a receipt for a deposit to stay at the Love Hotel in Paris!’ Cordelia chirped.
‘Huh?’ I blinked rapidly.
‘The luxury resort where they find your perfect match!’ Cordelia clarified. ‘Juliette paid the deposit. Isn’t she just thebest? Always so generous! You know how much she hates doing stuff online, so I did all the techy booking bits.’
‘Once they’ve found your Mr Right, you’ll get to enjoy two weeks of rumpy-pumpy with a hot Parisian in a five-star all-expenses-paid hotel,’ Marjorie added. ‘Ding, dong! If I wasn’t married, I’d go myself!’
‘I don’t think it’sthatkind of hotel, Marjorie,’ Cordelia scolded. ‘It’s averyhigh-end establishment.’
‘The point is,’ Juliette added, ‘going to this hotel will allow you to enjoy the company of a manwithouthaving to use the apps, just like I promised.’
‘This is so generous – too generous. Thank you,’ I said. ‘But I can’t accept.’
‘Oh, but you must!’ Cordelia insisted. ‘The deposit’s non-refundable!’
‘But, if this is thedeposit, how much is the rest?’ My stomach tightened.
The balance had to be at least another thousand pounds, which was money I didn’t have. Although I had one less mouth to feed, the fridge and the washing machine were on their last legs, so they’d need to be replaced soon. As amazing as it sounded, I couldn’t afford to go swanning off to Paris.
‘Juliette has it covered!’ Marjorie said. ‘She’ssuchan amazing friend.’
‘I try,’ Juliette grinned. ‘I always like to help those in need and it is your birthday soon, so consider it an early present. Let us take a photo!’
After reaching into her designer handbag, Juliette swiped on a fresh coat of red lipstick, positioned herself in the centre of the group, then handed her phone to Cordelia.
‘Make sure that you get my good side,’ Juliette commanded. ‘And hold up the receipt, so that people can see what the gift is.’
‘Good idea!’ Cordelia added. ‘This could become a memento of the moment you first discovered you were going to Paris to find your future husband.’
