‘It’s still raining,’ Lara said. ‘Did you walk here?’
‘Yes. There’s a large pothole in … it doesn’t matter. It’ll only take me a couple of minutes to get back.’
‘You’re welcome to stay the night.’
‘No! Thanks. Sleep well.’
‘And you.’
Jasper ran down the garden path and bolted down the lane. Lara watched him until he was out of sight and then she phoned Jenny.
‘You really need to get out more,’ Jenny said, laughing, after Lara had told her what happened. ‘Don’t you realise that when you said your bed was even more comfortable, and it feels like paradise, the guy thought you were propositioning him?’
‘No he didn’t. Did he? Why would he think that? He said, ‘So could I’ when I said I could sleep on the sofa all night, so he was the one flirting in that case.’
‘Maybe. But when you mentioned your bed was even more comfortable, can’t you see that he thought you were inviting him to spend the night with you in your bed?’
‘No. Because I wasn’t.’
‘But I think he thought you were. Most men would’ve taken you up on it, so it’s odd that he did a runner. Unless he’s married. Or engaged. Or has a girlfriend? I don’t suppose you know, do you?’
‘No. I only met him tonight and we spoke for less than ten minutes, I think. Should I text him to say I wasn’t trying to get him into bed, in case he thought I was?’
‘I don’t know. He might think you’re only saying that because he rejected you.’
‘He didn’t reject me because I wasn’t offering. Oh bloody hell. Why is this happening? It’s all so confusing.’
‘Sleep on it and see what happens tomorrow. You could text him and ask about Tom at some stage tomorrow and then see how he reacts and take it from there.’
‘That’s a good idea. I’ll do that. Now I am going to bed because my head is spinning. Thanks for the advice.’
‘Any time. Good night. And pleasant dreams.’
‘You too.’
