‘And what about Noah – does he have a girlfriend?’ Elle asked casually.
‘Noah? No. He’s young, free and single,’ Jessica answered.
Elle brightened up instantly, but felt a twinge of guilt for thinking he hadn’t been genuine towards her.
* * *
Once their plates were empty Arthur asked for the bill.
‘This is my treat,’ he insisted.
‘That’s lovely of you, Arthur. Thank you,’ Elle said gratefully.
‘Arthur and I need to get back to Buddy. I can’t leave that little rascal alone for too long. He’s already chewed his way through my slippers and a new pair of trainers – not to mention the leg of the kitchen table.’ Irene rolled her eyes as the waiter came back to the table with the card machine.
They all laughed.
Jessica glanced down at her watch. ‘I’ve got another forty minutes or so until Dan picks me up at The Little Blue Boathouse. Are you in a rush, Elle, or have you got time to stay for another drink?’
‘I’ve nothing planned.’
‘Fantastic, let’s move over to that table by the window. Those chairs look a lot comfier.’
After saying goodbye to Irene and Arthur they ordered a couple of glasses of wine.
‘I shouldn’t really drink in the afternoon,’ Jessica said with a twinkle in her eye. ‘It usually sends me to sleep.’
‘Me too,’ Elle agreed.
They settled into the seats by the oversized windows, which looked out over the bay. Elle swallowed. ‘I’ve got a confession to make.’
‘Sounds ominous.’
‘When you arrived, I was a little subdued because I recognised you from last night.’
‘Last night?’ Jessica asked, puzzled.
‘Yes, my friend Pippa and I were on our way to the library when the bridge was closed off due to an accident. When the police finally let us through and we arrived, I saw Noah leaving with you.’
‘Yes, Noah sent me a text. He said the night was disaster. Barely anyone turned up and, most of all, Noah had no word from you. He was gutted and kept checking his phone late into the night.’
‘I’d left my phone at home by mistake.’
‘He came out with Dan and me and got very drunk. All he did was talk about you. It’s been great that I was touring Glensheil and it coincided with Noah’s book signing – which he totally engineered, by the way.’
Elle raised an eyebrow. ‘What do you mean?’
‘He changed the tour plans because of you. He’s been thinking about you since you last met and your name is always popping up in our conversation.’
‘Noah talks about me?’
Jessica nodded. ‘Absolutely! He definitely has a soft spot for you.’
A huge smile spread across Elle’s face and a glow of happiness began to light up inside her. ‘I have a soft spot for him, too.’
‘Maybe that’s something you need to tell him – because between you and me he’s been waiting for a message from you.’
Just at that moment Jessica’s phone beeped. ‘That’ll be Dan, he was going to text me after—’ Jessica stopped mid-flow and looked up at Elle with wide eyes.
