But it’s early days and I’m saying nothing – not even to her. It might be a one-off for all I know. And Mac’s been through a lot, and maybe he’s just lonely. And then there’s Drew… We’ll see. It’s all a bit new and scary. But nice. Really, really nice.
Went to the hairdresser’s as planned. Only intended to get a trim but ended up getting a cut and colour. I was a bit nervous, but it looks great. It was time for a change, I think.
I keep imagining Jenna’s face when she sees it.
Just imagine what she’d say if she ever found out about Mac kissing me! Oh God, what am I doing? Feels like everything’s moving very quickly and maybe I should slow it down.
But I’m probably getting way ahead of myself. It was just a kiss after all.
Bet he’s forgotten all about it.
25
Mac was quite glad to discover that Tricia wasn’t at home that evening. He liked her very much, but he needed to talk to Evan, and it was going to be awkward enough without having Evan’s wife bobbing in and out with cups of tea – as lovely as she was.
‘Tricia’s relieved you’re here tonight,’ Evan told him as he led him into the living room. ‘She’s going to one of them make-up parties at her friend’s down the road. I don’t know why she does it, you know. She’ll go there and spend a small fortune on eye stuff and lipsticks and whatever it is they wear, then she’ll come home and put it all in a drawer and it’ll never see the light of day. You should see how much of it she throws away.’
‘I expect it’s more of a social thing,’ Mac suggested.
‘It would be cheaper to go to the pub with her friends,’ he said with a grunt. ‘Anyway,’ he added, brightening, ‘she hasn’t cooked for us because I told her we’d get a takeaway. We never have takeaways and I’ve been fancying a Chinese for bloody months. What do you say?’
Mac smiled. ‘Sounds good to me.’
It was almost an hour before the takeaway was finally delivered, and Mac and Evan sat on the sofa, trays on their laps, tucking into various dishes and agreeing that this was probably the tastiest meal they’d ever eaten in their lives.
‘Don’t ever tell Tricia I said that,’ Evan warned.
‘I won’t. I won’t say anything to Alison either. She’s cooked me a few meals recently and I wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings.’
‘Terrible cook?’
‘No. Actually, she’s come on in leaps and bounds. We both have. But it’s all healthy stuff, and there’s something irresistible about a mixed curry with rice, isn’t there? And these little spring rolls. And those prawn crackers.’
‘Forbidden fruit always tastes the sweetest,’ Evan agreed. ‘Best to limit it to the occasional treat, though.’ He took a bite of a spring roll and chewed thoughtfully. ‘You’ve mentioned her a few times now – this Alison. Getting serious, is it?’
‘She’s just a friend,’ Mac said, his cheeks burning.
‘Hmm. Tell your face that.’ Evan grinned. ‘There’s no shame in it, you know. I’d be delighted for you. Just what you need, if you ask me.’
Mac swallowed a piece of curried chicken and took a gulp of water – not because the curry was hot but because his face was. This was what he’d come here for, wasn’t it? To talk things over with Evan. Get his perspective on a situation that Mac felt was running away with him.
‘Thing is,’ he said uncertainly, ‘it’s kind of moved on from friendship.’
Evan beamed at him. ‘Excellent! I’m so pleased for you.’
‘It’s complicated though, isn’t it?’ Mac asked desperately. ‘I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing.’
‘Whyever not? You clearly like the woman. You’ve certainly spent enough time with her recently. The two of you must be cordon bleu chefs by now!’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘When you say “things have moved on from friendship”, what exactly do you mean?’ He threw up his hands, almost knocking the tray off his lap. ‘No gory details, please! I’m an old man. My heart couldn’t stand it.’
Mac laughed. ‘Nothing like that. But… Well, I tend to walk her home after she’s been at mine, and – well – we kiss outside the caravan.’
‘Kiss outside the caravan?’ Evan roared with laughter. ‘Sounds like a teenage romance movie.’
‘I know. Pathetic, isn’t it?’
‘No, no! That’s not what I meant.’ Evan looked deeply apologetic. ‘I’m sorry. I really wasn’t making fun of you. It’s quite sweet. It just sounded so funny, that’s all. The way you put it. So, it’s just a kiss?’
‘Every evening I see her,’ Mac admitted.
