Page 37 of So, I Met This Guy . . .

‘OK, time to call it a night,’ yawned Flick, as they both slid off their bar stools and began making their way past the roulette tables.

‘Really?’

Flick glanced at Maggie, surprised by her reaction. She’d assumed Maggie would be more than ready to leave the casino and go to bed.

‘It’s been a long day, and we’ve got an early flight tomorrow. I’m beat.’

‘Yes, I know, me too.’ Maggie paused on the swirly carpet. ‘Except . . . we’ve got one night in Monte Carlo. We’re in the world’s most famous casino. Are we really going to go back home without having a flutter?’

Flick frowned. ‘With what? We’re both broke. After that bar bill, I don’t think it’s just you who’s lost their life savings,’ she wisecracked and kept walking.

‘C’mon, just one game of cards.’

‘You’re drunk.’

‘Yes, I am.’ She smiled tipsily. ‘And so are you.’

Maybe it was the three strong cocktails. Maybe it was being in Monte Carlo, away from real life. Maybe it was seeing Him again. But while she’d been reluctant to come here, now Maggie was reluctant to leave. As soon as she walked through that exit, the spell would be broken, and she’d be back to reality.

‘When am I ever going to get this chance again? You know, I used to be pretty good at cards. Dad taught me how to play blackjack. We used to play all the time when I’d visit him on his canalboat. I might not have got his watch back but I’d like to play a game of cards, just for him.’

Flick faltered. It was the mention of Maggie’s dad that did it. She knew what it was like to lose a parent. The things you remembered. The things you did to make them feel close again. The lengths you’d go to. Plus, let’s be honest, she was more than a little bit drunk herself. Those cocktails had gone straight to her head.

‘OK, why not?’ Why not humour her? At this point, it wouldn’t do any harm; plus, she still felt guilty not telling her the whole truth about the trip. ‘There’s just one problem – we don’t have any cash.’

‘Aha, well, that’s where you’re wrong. As luck would have it . . .’ Maggie opened her wallet and pulled out her emergency twenty-pound note. ‘Ta-dah,’ she said, brandishing it.

She knew it would come in useful at some point. All that talk about it being a cashless society. There would always be one place happy to take your cash: a casino.

OK, so perhaps happy wasn’t quite the right word.

A few minutes later, the cashier peered rather sniffily at Maggie’s paltry twenty-pound note. He was used to players with big amounts. The person in front of her had just exchanged enough for piles of chips. She handed over her money. She got one chip back.

‘That’s it?’

‘Oui,’ he replied, his face deadpan.

‘OK, then.’ She smiled brightly, undeterred. One chip was better than no chips. When the chips are down and all that.

Together she and Flick walked over to one of the blackjack tables.

‘How much are you going to bet?’ asked Flick.

‘There’s a minimum to play, so I’ll bet the lot.’

Flick nodded and felt rather pleased. She was tired and totally ready for their soft and lumpy bed. This should be over in no time. One game and Maggie would lose her money and they’d be going back to the Airbnb.

As Maggie took her place at the table amongst the rest of the players, she put down her chip and the dealer dealt her two cards. Stick or twist? She twisted and won.

‘Wow!’

As Flick watched the croupier hand Maggie her winnings, Maggie felt an unexpected shot of adrenaline. It was the first bit of luck in she couldn’t remember how long. The first time she’d won money, not lost it. She felt a buzz of excitement.

‘Let’s go again.’

‘Hello, can I have the old Maggie back?’ joked Flick as Maggie placed another bet and won. And then another. And another.

But what Flick didn’t know is this was the old Maggie. The Maggie who was adventurous and confident and fun. The Maggie she used to be before she fell in love with a fraudster who stole her life. She was back.