‘No need now, but thanks anyway!’ I tell Mondeo man. He looks disconcertingly crestfallen. ‘Oh, and by the way . . . it was 51.9%. Just for future reference.’
I skip towards Sam’s car and open the door to get in, unable to recall a single moment when I’ve felt happier to see another human being.
Then he smiles and a shiver sizzles up my spine. ‘Someone told me you needed a lift.’
As we hurtle towards Roebury, we talk about the tennis. It’s the most pressing matter, of course, and feels easier than themultiple bigger and more difficult issues that I know I’d really like to get off my chest at some point.
‘How did you know to come and get me? Did Rose give you a call?’
‘No, I was watching the action.’
‘You went to support the team?’ I ask, unable to keep the smile off my face.
‘Me and half of Roebury.’
Now I’m sceptical. ‘Seriously? Nobody ever goes unless it’s the Men’s A team.’
‘Well, it’s a full house tonight. I didn’t realise you weren’t playing though. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I’d have brought as many banners just for the others.’ He grins, glancing over at me.
Even then, I feel a sudden urge to get something straight in my head, whether I look like an idiot finding out or not.
‘Sam, can I ask you something?’
His hands tighten on the steering wheel. ‘Go on.’
‘Do I give you . . .the ick?’
A laugh gusts out of him. ‘The . . .what?What are you talking about?’
‘The ick. You know. A sudden pang of revulsion. Once you’ve got it, there’s no going back . . .’
We pull up at a red light. He puts on the handbrake. Turns to look at me. ‘I know what the ick is. I’m just wondering how you can possibly think I have it about you?’
The sight of his beautiful face suddenly makes my mouth go dry. ‘My angora socks.’
‘You have . . .angora socks?’
‘Idid. I got rid of them.’
‘Right. Let me get this straight. You think that all the stuff I said, about how I thought your heart wasn’t really in this – you think all that was a smokescreen and the real cause of me breaking up with you was . . . your socks?’
‘Well, they did have a hole in the middle toe.’
The corner of his mouth turns up. ‘No offence, but that might be the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.’
‘Is it?’
He nods. And in that moment all I want is for him to reach out and brush his fingers across my cheek, lean over like he did the first time and kiss me.
But he doesn’t move. A car beeps.
‘Come on,’ he says, taking off the handbrake. ‘Let’s get you to this game.’
Chapter 60
Sam screeches to a halt outside my house. I perform the quickest change possible, into the first mismatched items I can lay my hands on, a lemon-coloured top and red leggings, before heading down my path looking like Ronald McDonald on his day off.
Rose meets me at the gates of the club. ‘Am I glad to see you,’ she says urgently. ‘Let’s talk team tactics as we walk.’
