‘Shit, Bertie, I thought you’d gone to bed.’
I take a breath and a step backwards.’ I decided I have space for a mug cake after all. What areyoudoing?’ Surely he can’t be washing up at this time?
He holds up his mug. ‘Getting more ice cream. Do you know how delicious this is?’ His frown turns to an expectant query. ‘There’s loads of it too, you’re welcome to come and share it with me?’
‘Thanks, but maybe not.’ In that tiny room. Him in his jeans and no top. My eyes automatically follow the trace of hairs on his stomach all the way past his belt buckle and down to the bulge in his jeans.
It’s almost dark, but that thing has happened where our eyes have locked on the same place in the same instant. In a bigger space strangers could get away with it. But crushed as close as we are and knowing each other as well as we do, it’s impossible to ignore.
I smile. ‘Nice Levi’s.’
He rolls his eyes. ‘The physical thing – it’s still there, isn’t it?’
I feel my jaw drop open. ‘Youfeel ittoo?’ And damn that I gave myself away there when I should have kept my mouth shut.
He shrugs. ‘Too many flashes of thigh, I guess.’ And obviously the alcohol has robbed him of his inhibitions hereandtaken the lock off his tongue.
At least one of us still has their reality goggles firmly in place. ‘As you say, it’s purephysicalattraction. We both know that means nothing by itself.’
His laugh is ironic. ‘Very true, Bertie. There’s a lot more to life than having the hots for someone. Even if it’s blistering.’
What I said about the lost inhibitions, times ten. I flatten myself against the wall so he can pass. ‘You’d better go before your ice cream melts.’
As he walks towards his bedroom his eyes are locked on my face. ‘Thanks for helping tonight, Bertie. You take my mind off the bad stuff in a way no one else can.’
‘You’re welcome – any time.’ I feel compelled to reassure him. ‘It will all work out, you know. If all else fails you can come back to London with me and do stand-up comedy.’ That was not at all how the reassurance was meant to come out, so all I can do now is make the whole thing sound jokey. ‘Or The Hungry Shark are looking for a warm-up man for their karaoke evenings. You could do worse.’
He gives a low grunt. ‘I’ll definitely keep an open mind.’
This really is my last hurrah here. ‘Good night then, and brace yourself for a stonking hangover in the morning.’
One eyebrow goes up in query. ‘Why wouldIhave a headache? The shots were for Elise,Iwas on Pepsi Max all night.’
There are times whenWhat the actual eff?doesn’t come close. All I can do is close the bedroom door, dive under the duvet and pull a pillow over my head.
29
Sophie’s ‘Be Whole and Happy’ Day
Pets at home and true confessions
Sunday, a week later
TheMamma Mia!evening turned out to be mega. Not only did it bring in the cash, but a whole week later people are still humming the tunes around the village. Luckily Ross carried on as if our late-night conversations never happened. For me, with three iced-donut evenings, finishing the village recipe book layouts for Sophie’s team, and pushing on with my own book, life has passed in a blur. As Ross hasn’t mentioned his appointment again, I completely respect that he’s thought better of it.
And now we’re on to the Siren House day, and Sophie – bless her heart – allocated Millie and Ross to help with my ‘Ice Yourself Happy’ sessions this morning, which were followed by an alfresco lunch of healthy salads followed by blow-out puddings. There’s a real mix of women here, and the house is perfect for making guests feel treated in the best way.
Now I’ve publicly faced most kitchen disasters known to woman and come out the other side, my nerves have gone too. What matters today is that people have a good time, so my focus has been on them; if they go away more confident in what they can do, that’s a win. And every single time that happens, the rush is so good it makes me want to do it again and again. As each session comes to a successful end, Sophie’s smile is getting wider and wider.
With my work over for the day I’m on to supporting Diesel in his starring role at Ross’s afternoon pet talks.
Plum arrives at my elbow as Diesel and I wait for our group to assemble on the lawn. ‘You’re looking fab now you’ve taken your pinny off. Is that a new dress?’
I haven’t been treating myself. ‘One of my old sponsors sent it by accident.’
Plum laughs. ‘Or they’ve noticed your new clips and like what they see?’
‘Me with icing up my nose?’ It definitely can’t be that.
