HELEN
‘Top up?’ he asked, holding the almost empty wine bottle.
‘Yes, please.’ She offered him her glass. Their fingers briefly touched as he took it from her.
‘Are you ok?’
‘Hot flush,’ she said.
He looked puzzled.
‘Madison is probably too young for those.’
‘Oh. Sorry, I see what you mean now.’
Well done, Helen. Make him feel awkward AND highlight that you’re older than his soon-to-be ex. That’s a guaranteed turn-on.
He shared what was left of the wine evenly between their glasses.
Helen gulped hers down.
‘So what are your plans for the rest of the weekend?’ she asked.
‘I’d not thought about it. Anything you want to do?’
‘Together?’ Getting forward now, Helen. The alcohol’s definitely kicked in.
Nigel smiled. ‘Yes, together.’
‘The traffic will be a nightmare. If you thought today was bad, you haven’t seen anything yet.’
‘Worse than it used to be on a summer weekend?’
‘Yes, half the tourists have got big SUVs now. The cars have grown, but the lanes haven’t.’
Why are you prattling on about traffic, Helen?
‘We could stay in,’ he suggested. If Angus had looked at her that way, there would only be one meaning to that suggestion.
She moistened her lips. Don’t ruin it now!
She stood up and offered to take his plate.
‘I’ll clear the rest of the table,’ he said.
They loaded the dishwasher together. When Helen slammed the door shut, they were facing one another.
Now or never. She leaned closer to him, but he beat her to it, tenderly stroking his lips over hers, before pulling her into a deeper kiss.
For one perfect moment, it was 1999 all over again. The good part, anyway.