‘Well? The suspense is killing me. Why didn’t you text? Was it awful?’ In the background the children are beginning to wail. She begs Alex to take them in the other room for five minutes.
‘Quite the contrary in fact…’ With a mirror this size in front of me, streaky or not, there’s no denying the sparkle in my eyes and the blush in my cheeks is one hundred per cent natural.
‘So, was our mystery man a surgeon or what? I need details, stop being so coy about it and spill before my children drag me away from the most exciting conversation we’ve had in years!’
‘He wasn’t a surgeon, no. Or a dentist for that matter. He was seriously hot though. Hot, funny, sweet, caring. He was the full fucking package – literally.’
‘Oh. My. God. Did you go home with him?’ Geri squeals.
‘No, he came home with me…’ When it comes to my best friend, I cannot hold anything back.
‘And?’ The noise level is escalating in the background, from the screeching and crying Alex seems to be struggling with the twins. I hear a door bang. ‘I’ve locked myself in the en-suite. Now quick… tell me?’
‘He came home with me and it was’ – my breath gets caught in my chest even thinking about it – ‘out of this world.’
‘Did you?’ Surprise rings in Geri’s excited tone.
‘Yes… and yes, several times.’ I can’t hide my own exhilaration, practically bouncing off the bathroom walls.
‘Fucking hell, Amy! Well done! I can’t believe you were compatible on paper and in the sack! That’s unreal! When do I get to meet this mystery man?’
‘I know. I can’t actually believe it myself.’ Someone bangs on the bathroom door before trying the handle. Footsteps disappear along the corridor.
Geri’s tone is almost smug. ‘I knew this was the best way to get over Ollie Quinn.’
‘About that…’ My voice drops to a hushed whisper, in case the person the other side of the door lingers within earshot.
‘Amy?’ Geri’s voice is thick with suspicion.
Dusting a little mascara across my eyelashes, I pause long enough to confess. ‘My datewasOllie Quinn. Apparently Eddie registered him on the site.’
‘Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! Holy fucking moly, Amy. You couldn’t make it up.’ Her voice is muffled like her fingers are clamped across her mouth.
‘He is everything I hoped for and more. And I have a teeny tiny suspicion the feeling is mutual.’ I can barely keep the ecstasy from my tone.
She smothers a giggle. ‘Well, at least you don’t need to worry about him ditching you to become a rugby groupie. And he really made you…’ Her surprise transfers across the line.
‘Last night and this morning. He was so perfect with me.’ I zip my make-up bag closed and drop it into my handbag.
‘And how did you leave it?’ she asks.
‘We’re on for a repeat tonight.’
‘Well, I am absolutely delighted for you!’ Her tone rapidly changes, heavy with caution. ‘Did you tell Eddie?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. He’d put a stop to it before it even started. We are going to think of a way to tell him, but not yet. Not until we are certain.’
‘You sound pretty certain to me,’ she says.
‘What’s the chances of getting matched for a blind date with the one person I really fancy?’
‘It’s fate. Just be careful, ok. I don’t want to see you getting hurt.’ Her Mam voice is back again.
‘I will don’t worry. And obviously you can’t tell a soul.’ I can practically see her rolling her eyes down the receiver.
‘Your secret is safe with me. I’ll put it with the rest of them,’ she says with affection.
‘Ok, I’ve got to go but I’ll call you later.’ Smoothing down my dress, I give myself one last glance in the mirror. Lust certainly provides a glow for the skin.
