Chapter 26
Oxford
Hattie pushed open the door and emerged from the pub, to be greeted by a waggy-tailed brown and white terrier on a long lead, clearly hoping that she might have more snacks about her person than his owner, who was sitting at the nearest bench nursing a pint of beer.
She bent to say hello to the little dog, and apologised for not having anything for him to eat. Forgiving her, he carried on madly wagging his tail and dancing around her. Honestly, why couldn’t more men be as lovely as dogs?
Moving away, so she could speak without being overheard, she took out her phone. Kayla picked up before the second ring.
‘Just so you know,’ said Hattie, ‘I’m never going to forgive you for this.’
‘Oh no, not again.’ Kayla gave a snort of laughter. ‘Another one telling you how much he still loves his ex?’
Hattie sighed. This was what had happened on the last date Kayla had persuaded her – against her better judgement – to go on, with Peter the bitter bathroom fitter. And it was all very well for Kayla to crack up laughing, but she wasn’t the one currently trapped on yet another blind date from hell.
‘This one’s obsessed with his mum, for a change. And fish fingers. He’s shown me the spreadsheet he’s drawn up to demonstrate which ones are the best and worst, and why.’
‘You can’t blame me for that. He didn’t mention it in his list of interests. Where are you now?’
‘Outside the pub. We’ve ordered our food and he’s gone to the loo, so I came out to give you a quick update. Oh, no.’
‘No what?’
‘I’ll call you back.’ Hattie stared at the sporty red Mazda that had just flashed its lights and slowed to a halt twenty yards up the road.
As she watched, the car reversed until it was level with her.
The next moment, the driver’s door flew open and her ex-husband jumped out, beaming with delight.
‘Hats! I mean, Hattie, it is you! What are you doing here?’
Not again. Did this mean he’d somehow arranged for this to happen? Had he persuaded Frank the fish-finger fanatic to match with her on the dating app for a laugh?
‘What are you doing here?’ she countered accusingly, and Guy spread his hands.
‘I live up the road. This is my local pub. But if you’re stalking me, that’s fine, I really don’t mind. In fact, I’m flattered.’
‘Of course I’m not stalking you.’ They’d chatted a fair bit online but she hadn’t seen him in person since Venice.
‘Ah, that’s a shame. But you’re looking well. Here on your own?’
‘Actually I’m with a . . . friend.’
‘A . . . friend?’ He picked up on the hesitation, mimicking it and raising an eyebrow. ‘Sounds interesting. Got yourself a new man?’
Just her luck; if only he could disappear in a puff of smoke. Hattie shook her head. ‘No.’
‘So this is getting mysterious.’ His tone was playful. ‘Now I’m intrigued.’
‘Phew, you’re out here,’ exclaimed a voice behind her. And there was Frank, looking relieved. ‘When I saw the table was empty, I was worried you’d done a runner and left me! I thought, Not again!’
Guy looked shocked. ‘Has she run out on you before?’
‘Not this one. There’ve been others, though.’ Frank wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. ‘Internet dating, it’s a minefield.’
‘So this is the first time you two have met?’ said Guy. ‘How’s it going?’
‘Really well so far.’ Frank nodded enthusiastically.
‘Really well?’ Guy was visibly impressed. ‘Excellent!’
‘I was taking a call from a friend,’ Hattie said hurriedly. ‘We can go back inside now.’ She narrowed her eyes at her ex-husband. ‘Bye.’
Thirty minutes later, the terrible date was limping to its conclusion and even Frank had come to realise they weren’t a match made in heaven.
It was while he’d been reciting his long list of favourite coach trips and had caught her attempting to smother a yawn that he’d stopped and said accusingly, ‘Aren’t you even interested? ’
And how was she meant to respond to that?
As she prepared to do the polite thing and lie through her teeth, the door to the pub swung open, and there was Guy again.
This time his arrival didn’t seem like such a bad thing.
Spotting them and making his way over, he said cheerfully, ‘Thought I might have missed you. Still going well?’
‘Not really,’ said Frank. ‘I think I’m boring her. It’s usually what happens, no idea why.’
OK, maybe it would be helpful to tell him. Hattie swallowed her last mouthful of sticky toffee pudding. ‘To be frank, er . . . Frank, I think the lists aren’t the best idea.’
‘My mum said that too. But I like making lists. It’s kind of my hobby.’ He paused. ‘So do you two know each other?’
‘We used to be married,’ said Guy.
‘Oh!’ Frank looked alarmed.
‘Don’t worry, I’m not still in love with her. I just want what’s best for my ex-wife.’
‘I don’t think I’m best for her.’ Hastily taking out his wallet, Frank called across for their bill and said to Hattie, ‘We’re splitting it, right? Except you had two glasses of wine and I only had a shandy, so you’ll need to pay the difference.’
When Frank had left, Guy said, ‘I hope you’re not too heartbroken.’
Hattie gave him a look. ‘What are you doing back here?’
‘Rescuing you. Also, offering you a lift home.’
‘Why?’
‘Because it’s raining and the buses out here only run once an hour.’ He paused. ‘It’s good to see you again. You’re looking well. And I’m saying that in a friendly way, don’t worry. Not trying to chat you up.’
On their last evening in Venice, he definitely had been trying to chat her up. Slightly miffed that he was no longer interested, Hattie said, ‘Because you’ve found yourself a new lady friend?’
There was that twinkle in his eye. ‘Let’s say I’m keeping my options open. So, how about that lift home?’
She glanced out of the window. The rain was now hammering down, bouncing off the road like shrapnel. Her flat was a good half a mile from the bus stop, and of course she hadn’t brought an umbrella with her. ‘Go on then. Thanks.’
In the car, Guy said, ‘So who’d’ve thought it, eh? Kayla and the gondolier, still going strong.’
‘I know. He flew over here a fortnight ago. And Kayla’s off to stay with him for four days next week. She’s even taking evening classes in conversational Italian, so she can really get to know his parents. If that isn’t true love, I don’t know what is.’
‘Good for her.’
‘How about Suze? Any updates?’
‘She’s back together with her ex. Apparently their break was just a blip.
’ Guy tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as they pulled up at a junction.
‘Which is fine by me.’ He gave her a sidelong smile.
‘Basically, I was an idiot. We weren’t each other’s type at all.
When you know what you like, it makes sense to stick to it. ’
Did that mean what she thought it meant? Was he hinting that maybe their own years apart had been a blip? Hattie guessed what would come next. But twenty minutes later, when he pulled up outside her flat, the expected invitation didn’t happen.
‘I’m sorry your date with Frank didn’t work out.’ He gave her arm a consoling pat. ‘But don’t give up. The right man’s out there somewhere, waiting to meet you.’
A consoling pat? The cheek of it!
‘Thanks for the lift.’ She waited for him to at least kiss her on the cheek.
But there was no kiss and Guy’s tone was brisk. ‘No problem at all. Happy to help. Bye.’
Which had the effect of making her heart give a little flip of surprise and, yes, pleasure when he called her three days later.
‘How’s it going with you and Frank, then?’ He sounded jovial. ‘Engaged yet?’
‘Not quite. I’m playing hard to get.’
He laughed. ‘Listen, no worries if you’re not interested, but there’s a new Indian restaurant in town that’s been getting some seriously good reviews. I wondered if you fancied giving it a go with me tomorrow night?’
Hattie took a breath; she and Guy had always loved Indian food and trying out new places to eat. Tomorrow evening she was free. And yesterday in her lunch hour she’d bought herself a new dress that flattered her figure no end.
Maybe a week ago she would have turned him down. But now it seemed like an offer she didn’t even want to refuse, and without hesitating, she heard herself say, ‘Sounds like fun! Why not?’
Bristol
Jamie’s agent had called him yesterday and said, ‘I know you’ll probably say no, but the Every Night Show has had a last-minute cancellation for tomorrow and they’d love it if you could step in to chat about the new sports quiz.’
And Jamie, having discovered how bleak and empty the days were without Leon around to share them, had said, ‘OK, may as well.’
Anything to take his mind off the current situation at home. The apartment had never been tidier nor felt more empty.
Now here he was, sitting in his dressing room, waiting for the popular live magazine-style TV show to start. He was due to appear in a few minutes, having been briefed earlier by Sadie Ingalls, the presenter who’d be interviewing him tonight.
But seven minutes later, diverting without warning from the subject of the sports quiz and the friendly rivalry between the teams, Sadie changed tack. ‘Speaking of friendship, can I say how very sorry we all were to hear about the tragic death of your friend Leon Spencer-Carr.’
What? There’d been no warning that this would be mentioned. Then again, why shouldn’t it be? Taken aback, Jamie said, ‘Thanks. Yes. It’s been a tough time.’
Sadie nodded sympathetically. ‘I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for you. And his family, of course. It all happened quite quickly, I believe.’
‘It did. A couple of months ago we were in Venice and everything seemed fine. Then the symptoms began.’ Jamie paused, cleared his throat. ‘And it went downhill after that.’
‘You and Leon shared a flat. He was your best and oldest friend.’ Sadie’s voice softened as she leaned towards him. ‘You must be missing him terribly.’