Page 77 of So, I Met This Guy . . .

‘Well, I would have thought you of all people would be into that. What with your new business?’

There’s a split-second pause.

‘Oh right, yeah . . . well, it’s a totally different use of AI technology,’ explains Theo. ‘To be honest, I leave that side of things to my tech guys; they’re the experts.’

‘I see. Wow, fascinating,’ nods George.

‘Yeah, it really is,’ agrees Theo.

George catches my eye and I smile, pleased to see both men getting on so well and agreeing on something, finally. And as the waiter returns with the card reader and hands me my receipt, I feel a swell of happiness. Maybe they’ll be besties after all.

We leave the restaurant and we gather outside on the pavement for a few minutes, saying our goodbyes. Everyone is in a good mood, all smiles and hugs, and we fill the warm May evening with the sounds of warm wishes and laughter.

‘Are you sure you don’t want my sofa bed?’ I say to George, but he shakes his head.

‘You two lovebirds don’t want me snoring and farting on your sofa bed, now, do you?’ he protests, bashing away the invite. ‘Talk about a passion killer. No, one of the cabin crew has given me his Airbnb for the night, mates’ rates.’

He grins broadly and Theo laughs and we all hug and say goodbye, waving each other off, as he jumps in a cab and everyone goes their separate ways.

We set off walking in the opposite direction. It’s not far to my flat, only fifteen minutes, and buoyed up by such a lovely evening, I reach for Theo’s hand. We always hold hands when we’re walking down the street, that’s one of the things I love about him. How he’s so affectionate.

That’s when I first sense that something is up. He has his hands in his pockets.

‘So, that was a lovely evening,’ I say as we set off down a side street. I go to link my arm through his instead. I’m imagining it. Being silly. I am a bit tipsy, after all.

Silence; then, ‘Well, it was until you showed me up.’

It was like the sound of a chord in a minor key.

‘Sorry? What?’

I look at him. It’s late and dusk has fallen, but it’s still light. The warm smile that’s been on his face all evening has vanished and he looks pinched.

‘You heard.’

It’s like all the geniality and warmth of the evening has disappeared. Like it was an illusion. Even though it’s a summer’s night, it’s as if there’s a sudden chill in the air.

‘I’m sorry, love, have I done something wrong?’

I frown, not quite understanding what I’ve done to cause his good humour and affection to be so suddenly withdrawn.

‘If I said something to offend you somehow, I didn’t mean to—’

‘You and your mate George, making fun of me.’

‘We weren’t making fun of you,’ I reply, astonished he could think such a thing. ‘It was just George, messing about—’

‘It was patronizing and belittling. You tried to make me look like a fool.’

‘I did? No, don’t be silly, I didn’t—’

Everything is unravelling.

‘Silly? I’m being silly?’ He fumes, breaking apart. ‘I think you’ve said enough.’

‘No, please, Theo, don’t spoil this evening.’

‘Me, spoil this evening?’ He turns on me now, his face furious. ‘I think you need to look at your behaviour, Maggie, not mine; the only person spoiling anything is you, showing me up, showing yourself up, flirting with everyone—’