He screws up his nose. He looks tired, so I’m guessing that’s a no, but I don’t ask why.
‘Orange juice? Tea? Coffee?’ he offers.
‘The coffee smells good,’ I reply by way of an answer.
He grabs a mug out of a high cupboard, the bottom of his T-shirt riding up to reveal a brief glimpse of dark hair trailing from his bellybutton downwards.
I quickly avert my gaze, my heart quickening as I’m hit with a sudden flashback to the night we slept together. It was over six years ago, but it was pretty unforgettable.
‘Can I open your outside doors?’ I ask, feeling hot as I wander across the living room. His garden really is stunning. Compact, but gorgeous.
‘Sure.’ He comes over and unlocks the doors for me before pushing them open, letting a whoosh of cool air spill into the room. He goes back to the kitchen.
‘Full fry-up, right?’ he calls back at me.
‘Are you serious?’
‘Deadly.’
‘I’ll get out of your way after that,’ I vow. ‘I’m sure you’ve got a ton of work to do.’
He doesn’t respond.
Later, I help carry the breakfast things into the kitchen, looking around for a dishwasher.
‘I’ll take them,’ he says, our fingers brushing as I hand them over. I jolt, as though I’ve been given an electric shock, and his eyes shoot up to meet mine. Shaken, I walk out of the kitchen.
‘Well, it was good to see you.’ I’m attempting breezy, but my voice is wavering.
He clatters the plates onto the countertop and follows me.
‘Bronte,’ he says quietly, swiping my hand.
It happens again. The shockwaves quiver all the way up my arm. I pull my hand away.
He stares at me, helplessly.
‘Why do you have to go?’ he asks. ‘Spend the day with me.’
I shake my head. ‘I can’t.’
‘Why not? Polly’s at work. Why are you rushing back?’
‘I haven’t got any clothes.’
‘I’ll take you shopping.’
‘Really?’ I ask with a laugh, feeling all of a sudden weirdly tearful.
‘Really. We can go into Hampstead, go for a walk or something, have lunch.’
‘Haven’t you got to go to your niece’s birthday party?’
His face falls and he stares at the floor, lost. ‘I forgot about that.’ He glances up at me. ‘Come with me?’
My mouth drops open. ‘You’ve got to be kidding, right? Come hang out with your entire family for the day?’
‘Why not? Anyway, it’s not the whole day: it’s a couple of hours.’
