I read it through one last time as I tuck into my pudding. Mila always says that a meal without a pudding is like a sentence without a full stop.
Hang on a sec. Date number seven and Ihavefound The One, just like that article said.
I grab my phone and make the call.
‘IT’S YOU,’ I boom.
‘Are you drunk?’
‘I’ve only had one wine! I’m on date number seven and I have found The One!’
‘Holy shit! Is he there right now? Should you maybe wait until later to call me?’
‘No, no, I’m on a date with myself. I’ve realised that The One has been staring back at me the entire time.’
‘What, Ben? I thought that was all dead and buried?’
‘IT’S YOU! Mila, you are the most wonderful best friend. All this time I’ve been thinking that I need a guy to share my life with but I don’t. I already have the most incredible person in my life. You’ve been there for me through all my ups and downs, cheering me on and helping me to refocus when I started to think that my life wasn’t getting anywhere. All of the amazing stuff that’s happened to me recently has been down to you. You’ve been championing me even when you had your own shit with Mike going on. Evenwhen I was being too much of a selfish dick to realise that your life isn’t always so picture perfect. I love you to the moon and back Mils.’
There’s a lump in my throat so I stop talking.
Silence down the phone.
‘Are you still there?’
‘Yep,’ she sniffs. ‘I love you too, Jazzy. And I am very proud of you.’
‘Do you want your score?’
‘Huh?’
‘You are one hundred per cent my type on paper. It’s a ten out of. . . seven?’
She laughs and we say our goodbyes. I take one last sip of wine before heading back to my hotel, my dress swooshing in the wind.
