Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Hartford
A week after we’d made our bargain, Joshua had clearly put our kiss out of mind.
I’d taken my cues from him in the days afterward, and he’d planted us firmly back in the friend zone.
It was a relief. When he’d offered to accompany me to Borehamwood to view a flat for rent that I’d found online, I’d been delighted.
We pulled into what looked like the forecourt of a fish and chip shop and Joshua killed the car engine and leaned forward to see where we were headed.
He didn’t need to spend his weekends helping me flat hunt, but he’d offered and I’d said yes.
He knew a lot more about London and property than me.
Plus he had a car, which meant I didn’t have to worry about dodging the thunderstorms that had been threatening all morning.
“I don’t think we can park here.” I rifled through my bag, trying to find my phone. I was sure the outside didn’t look like this on the estate agent’s website.
“You think they were kidding when they put the big P and the white lines here?” Joshua asked.
I glanced up and sure enough, saw the parking sign. “You think parking comes with the flat?”
“I think the aroma of fish and chips comes with the flat.”
“Don’t worry.” I nodded toward the dash.
“You have your halved lemon so it won’t ruin your interior.
” I nodded at the lemons I’d placed on the dash of his car and opened the door.
“Come and witness how the rest of the world lives, Joshua Luca. We can’t all be living in penthouses on Park Lane.
” It was six weeks until I left the flat next door to Joshua’s, but I needed to kick-start my search for a new place.
I had no idea how long it would take for me to find something.
“There’s a happy medium.”
“Don’t judge a book by its cover. You might love it when we get inside.”
Joshua slid his sunglasses to the top of his head and gave me a not-on-your-life glance.
I wasn’t going to be deterred. The agent had said this was about a hundred square foot bigger than what I’d normally get for my budget, and it was a five-minute walk to the station. I couldn’t wait to see what was inside.
I pressed the slightly grubby buzzer and without anyone answering on the intercom, the door released.
Joshua nodded for me to go in first and I stepped into the green carpeted hallway.
He was right, you could definitely smell fried food in here.
Hopefully it wouldn’t be quite so strong inside the flat.
“It’s on the second floor.” I started to climb the stairs.
“Two flights up and no lift?”
“Right. That’s good. It could have been four floors.”
The carpet on the stairs was worn and stained, but I was sure it was due a clean soon. A good scrub was bound to breathe some fresh life into it.
As we got to the top of the second flight of stairs, I came face to face with the agent.
“Jas?” I asked.
“Hartford,” he said. “Good to meet you. Welcome to your new home.” He stepped to the side so I could go in.
“Right,” I said, nodding at the living room that had a small kitchen space at one end with just a couple of units, a sink, a cooker, and a fridge-freezer.
What else did I need in a kitchen? At the other end was space for a two-seater settee, and in the middle, a small table with two chairs would fit under the window.
That was a bonus I hadn’t expected. I’d have somewhere to eat and set up my laptop.
“The fish and chip shop is immediately below us?” Joshua asked.
“No,” Jas replied. “The owner of the shop has the flat immediately below you and the shop is on the ground floor. Very convenient when you come home late from a shift at the hospital.”
“That’s just what I was thinking,” I replied, shooting Joshua a grin before wandering through to the bedroom. I could tell he was horrified, although he hid it well. “Oh yes. This is compact but perfectly doable.”
“There’s no bath in the bathroom,” Joshua called out.
“Doesn’t matter to me. I always have showers anyway. I think it’s great, Jas.”
“Would it be both of you on the tenancy?” Jas asked.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the idea of Joshua Luca—Mr. Park Lane—living above a chip shop in Borehamwood. “No, it will be just me. Joshua already has a place.”
“Like I said, you’re lucky to get a one bedroom for the price. In your range, it would normally be a studio.”
“What’s your budget?” Joshua asked, looking confused.
“Mind your beeswax,” I said, tapping my nose.
“It’s got a nice feel to it.” I wandered the three steps to the window and looked out over the rooftops.
“And I like that it’s unfurnished. Means I can put my own mark on it.
” I turned back to face the room. “Yes, I really like it. Do I have to decide quickly?”
“Even though it’s not available for five weeks, it will be rented by Friday. Like I said, it’s a steal. So if you’re interested, you need to let me know as soon as possible.”
I spent a couple of minutes going from the bedroom to the sitting room and then into the bathroom, trying to imagine myself in the space.
It was very different to a tent in Yemen.
For a start, it would be my own private space.
I got to close the door and spend time by myself.
That was a luxury I’d forgotten I enjoyed before I came back to London.
Joshua and I had very different ideas of what indulgence was.
To me, this flat was everything I needed.
The only thing missing was Joshua next door.
It was nice to have him so near, even though my forcefield kept taking hits and had suffered a severe malfunction when we kissed.
When I moved, I couldn’t imagine why we’d have reason to see each other.
We hadn’t been friends before Yemen and like he said, he had a busy, full life.
I doubted I’d have a place in it once I was out of his immediate vicinity.
Even though I knew it was for the best, given my faltering forcefield, the thought curdled my stomach every time it surfaced in my brain.
We said goodbye to Jas and I promised him I’d call by the end of the day.
“Well, that didn’t take long,” Joshua said as we got back into the car.
“It’s a three-hundred-and-fifty-square-foot flat. How long did you want to spend in there?”
He laughed, that damn dimple appearing out of nowhere to give me a ripple of God-knew-what between my thighs. “I don’t get it, Hartford. We’re in the middle of nowhere—I mean, is this technically still London? And it’s tiny. And not that great. You have money. You’re a doctor, for goodness’ sake.”
“Right, but I don’t want to spend my entire salary on a place just for the sake of it. I’ve spent the last year on a fold-up bed. This place will be fine for me.” I liked to save. You never knew when there was a rainy day down the road. I’d learned that lesson the hard way.
“But surely you could afford somewhere the bed isn’t pushed up against the wall and you don’t have to spend your life smelling of fish and chips.”
“You think it’s worse than the smell of Yemen?” I was completely serious. I didn’t want to put off my patients by coming to work with an off-putting aroma.
“I think that’s why it’s a knockdown price.”
Maybe I could invest in some perfume or something. And anyway, the smell would probably wear off by the time I got to the hospital. “I’m going to think about it. It’s a good option.”
“Thank God I’m setting you up with these guys before you move in. The smell of fried fish can be a turn-off.”
I laughed. “You’re such a snob. If he’s the right man, he’ll want me, chip fat or no chip fat.” I wasn’t sure about that, but I’d be two floors up. How bad could the smell be?
“You’re ridiculous,” he said. “But speaking of your dating life, I’ve picked out your first lesson in love.”
It was like someone had unexpectedly bumped me on a crowded train platform, and I had to take a second to regain my balance. He’s being nice. He’s trying to help me impress Gerry. Maybe I’d even find someone to fall in love with.
“His name is Tom. And he’s a photographer.”
I groaned. “Tell me he’s not used to being surrounded by Kendall Jenner and Gisele the entire day.”
He flashed a grin at me. “Nope. He takes pictures of food. See, this is a thoughtful setup. You like cake. He likes to photograph cake. It’s a match made in cake-heaven.”
“How do you know him?”
“He’s my secretary’s brother.”
That seemed like a tenuous connection. Had he put up a poster at work or something? Wanted: Single man for a two-hour, strictly no-sex date with a frumpy doctor who at least doesn’t have a monobrow anymore.
“Have you even met him?”
“I insisted on seeing a photograph. He seems like a nice chap. Doesn’t live with his mother or, from what I can tell, torture animals in his spare time. You’re seeing him this Friday at seven thirty at Liliana’s.”
He was obviously excited. But there wasn’t one cell of my body that could muster up any kind of enthusiasm. I didn’t have the energy to make small talk with a stranger. “This Friday?”
“Yes, this Friday. So, who have you lined up for me?”
“Are we double dating?” That particular thought was horrifying.
Being friends with Joshua was fine. Nice even.
But it didn’t mean I didn’t think he was handsome.
It didn’t mean I didn’t secretly hope the occasional flirtatious touch or grin was intentional.
I didn’t want to have my inadequacies under a spotlight as I watched Joshua very intentionally flirt and charm the woman sitting next to me.
“No, I mean, we could if you wanted to.” He shrugged. “Could be fun. At least if you were there, I wouldn’t be bored.”
“Well, I’m glad I don’t bore you, but the woman I’ve lined up for you is not available on Friday. Unlucky for you, you’ll have to spend the evening without me.”
We stopped at some lights and he held my gaze with a grin. “Okay, so tell me, who is this woman?”
Truth be told, I’d not found anyone yet. But I would do. I’d just have to arrange it for Sunday. “I’m not telling you anything. But you better be nice to her. And no showing her your penis, like you promised.”
“You think I’m a closet flasher?”
“Who knows, Joshua. You and my brother were forever pulling down your shorts.”
“We were in the paddling pool. And we were, what, eleven?”
“Once a flasher, always a flasher.”
“I’m really not comfortable with you teasing me about being a sex offender, Hartford.” Joshua frowned, all mock hurt and seriousness.
I laughed and it seemed to be catching as he started to chuckle as well. “I take it back. I’m convinced you save your penis for private showings. But no sex is a rule, Joshua Luca. Let’s see if you can comply.”
We might only have a couple more months of friendship to look forward to, but I was going to enjoy it while it lasted.