Page 33 of Love Letters on Hazel Lane

‘You’re giving up dating?’ she said when Jo phoned her later that morning. ‘Why?’

As Jo related the story of Tarquin and his clumsy pass at her the previous evening, the tears began to roll. She hastily moved a stack of A4 paper out of the way before it got soggy.

‘That’s terrible, Jo,’ said Gemma. ‘But at least you got rid of him. You stood up to him, made him leave. Good for you.’

‘Yeah, I did, didn’t I?’

‘But not all guys are like that.’

‘The trouble is, I don’t know how to recognise the good ones. Hang on.’ She put her hand over the phone as footsteps approached. The sound of David’s voice, getting closer. He seemed to pause by the door, but then continued on his way, his voice growing fainter. ‘It’s okay now. The coast is clear. My boss was going past but he’s gone now.’

‘Where are you?’

‘Stationery cupboard. Oh, hang on…’

Leona’s voice now. ‘It would be good for my career development…’ Jo could hear her saying.

‘Of course.’ That was Caroline.

Jo didn’t catch any more. ‘Okay, they’ve gone now,’ she said to Gemma as the voices receded.

‘Giving up completely seems a bit drastic. Just because of a few bad dates.’

‘But it hasn’t been a few bad dates, has it? It’s been a lifetime of choosing the wrong men. I’m like a magnet for them, for some reason. Dan. Tarquin.’ Jo hesitated before adding, ‘Si.’

‘Well, perhaps that’s your answer. Fathom out why you choose those men rather than giving up completely. Then choose someone different. Someone who isn’t your usual type. Someone you feel comfortable with, can strike up a friendship with. Even if there isn’t immediate physical attraction – cos that can grow.’

‘I tried that,’ said Jo, thinking of Ras. She had never mentioned him to Gemma. Hadn’t wanted to let slip that she’d done exactly what she’d promised she wouldn’t do and got into a stranger’s car. Besides, there’d been no point; it had only been one date. One insignificant date.

‘Look, I’ve got to go, Gem. There’s a big shoot happening next week and I’ve tons to do – got to make sure everything is organised down to the tiniest detail. The director’s a stickler.’

‘And will you be going on the shoot? That could be fun. You might meet someone there. Some hunky actor.’

‘It’s documentary, not drama.’

‘Hunky cameraman then.’

‘No, you know I hardly ever get to go filming,’ said Jo. ‘Bye, Gem. I’ll text you later.’

*

Friday evening. Everyone else had somewhere to go. Leona had gone out for a pizza with the researchers. Sam, the producer, had gone last-minute shopping for a birthday present for his wife and David had practically skipped down the corridor, off on another Tinder date no doubt. Only Caroline and Jo were left, frantically tapping away on their keyboards, under the watchful eye of Mona.

‘Jo, have you got a minute?’ Caroline called over.

‘Sure.’

Jo went over to her manager’s desk. ‘How can I help?’

‘All organised for next week?’

‘Yeah, double-checking the schedule now and then I’ll email it out to the crew.’

‘Great, I can always count on you,’ Caroline smiled. ‘Can you book another hotel room? For the entire shoot – Wednesday through till Sunday. Leona’s going to go along to help.’

‘Leona?’

Jo frowned. If anyone should be going, it should be her. She’d organised everything for next week, knew all the arrangements off by heart. Leona hadn’t even been working on this particular programme.