Page 87

FRANKIE, NOW

Ben arrived about an hour into the party, carrying a massive bunch of flowers and a bottle of wine.

Although Frankie was pleased to see Ben, she had no blow to the stomach feelings of lust; not like the ones she’d been getting whenever she’d glanced over at Jay that evening. Somehow Jay always seemed to be looking at her at the same time and they would then hold each other’s gaze in a rather loaded and sexy game of chicken until one of them looked away.

‘I’m sorry about standing you up on Saturday. I meant to rearrange but haven’t had a moment.’

‘It’s okay.’ Frankie realised she actually didn’t mind and that spoke volumes. It was time to rip off the plaster.

‘Can I be honest? I think we have more of a friends vibe.’

Ben looked slightly sheepish but then nodded. ‘Yeah, me too.’

‘But,’ Frankie continued firmly, ‘you still shouldn’t prioritise work over friendships. They’re important too. And when you do meet someone you really like, you’ll need to make compromises.’

Ben looked suitably chastised.

‘Luckily, you are in a perfect place to meet potential non-friend-vibe women.’ She took her arm in his. ‘Let me introduce you to a couple.’

Frankie led the way, walking round the room with Ben, making introductions, all the time aware of Jay’s eyes on her. To Frankie’s delight she saw Lily and Gary deep in conversation. Frankie had an excellent feeling about them both. She knew that Ricky and Ffion had missed the party to go to a special screening of It’s a Wonderful Life, which Frankie thought was a very positive sign too.

Then Frankie saw Rocco waving at her.

She and Ben went over to her brother and Catriona.

‘Do you need me to bring the ice in for you now?’ Rocco said.

Frankie was about to reply that she was perfectly capable of bringing in her own bags of ice when she saw his expression. He needed rescuing.

‘Please. I also need you to grab some more white wine. I hope you don’t mind me stealing Rocco for a bit, Catriona, but he offered to be my bar help tonight. This is Ben.’

Catriona seemed mollified by a new, handsome man to talk to.

‘Thanks, sis,’ Rocco said as he practically fled from the corner. He stopped to pour the wine in his glass down the sink.

‘Well, get to it,’ Frankie said.

‘Huh?’

‘Go get the ice and more white wine.’

‘Oh, that was just an excuse…’

‘I know, but now you’ve offered.’

Rocco looked outside.

‘It’s snowing.’

Frankie glanced out of the large glass windows and saw big white flakes drifting down from the sky.

She looked back to Rocco. ‘Be quick and your hair will be fine. And you don’t want to arouse Catriona’s suspicions.’

Off Rocco went.

Frankie stood surveying the room. She looked at the groups, and some of the folk who had paired off. Thinking back to the list, Frankie smiled to herself. It seemed to be working out well. Alison stood by the drinks table on her own, pouring herself a glass of red wine. Frankie really liked the pharmacist and the more she got to know her the more of Alison’s quirky dry sense of humour shone through. It was such a shame Bruno hadn’t shown one iota of interest in another dog. On paper, there was no obvious choice of partner for Alison either. But that was why Frankie had thrown this party. Looking around the room, Frankie’s eyes fell on Will who had just refilled his glass of mulled wine at the stove. What if…?

Frankie darted over to Alison to block her exit and caught Will’s arm as he walked past.