He smiles, meeting my eyes so that my stomach does a somersault. I avert my gaze, guiltily.
‘You look different,’ he muses after a while.
‘You look the same as I remember you.’
‘I wasn’t sure you’d remember me at all.’
‘Of course I would,’ I tell him.I remember you every day.
My nerves haven’t dissipated yet, and every so often I experience a tingling sensation rippling over my face and down my arms. Unwittingly, I shiver.
‘You’re not cold, are you?’ he asks.
‘No.’ I look around.
The waiter approaches our table. ‘Can I get you anything else?’ He enquires snootily.
‘Do you want to move on?’ Ben asks me.
‘Yes,’ I tell him. ‘The bill,’ I say to the waiter before turning back to Ben. ‘Where do you want to go?’
‘Are you hungry?’
I couldn’t eat a thing. ‘A bit,’ I lie.
‘I know a little bistro not far from here.’
‘Sounds good.’
The waiter returns with the bill and I try not to baulk at the fact that he deliberately chose to give me one of the most expensive wines by the glass.
‘Let me get this.’ Ben reaches for his wallet, but I wave him away, slapping down some money. I follow him out of the venue.
‘It’s only a ten-minute walk,’ Ben says. ‘Do you want to catch a taxi?’
‘No, no, I’m happy to walk.’
He sets off at a brisk pace, but I can easily keep up in my trainers. His hands are plunged deep into his pockets. I fold my arms across my chest.
‘Are you sure you’re not cold?’ he checks again.
‘I’m fine,’ I assure him. A memory comes back to me and I can’t help but giggle. ‘Don’t give me your shirt, you’ll never get it back.’
He laughs out loud. ‘I know, you little thief. That was one of my favourites, as well.’
‘Was it? I’m sorry.’
He grins and nudges me. ‘If it was anyone else . . .’
I blush unexpectedly at his tone. ‘You can have it back now, if you like.’
‘Have you still got it?’ He regards me with interest.
‘It’s at my mum’s.’
‘No,’ he decides. ‘It wouldn’t fit me now, anyway.’ He indicates his chest. It’s definitely broader than it used to be. ‘Howisyour mum?’ he asks.
‘She’s fine. You know we left Michael and Josh after Michael proposed to her?’
