Chapter Fifty
It didn’t take long to unpack everything.
As I shut the cupboard door on my clothes, I realised it was a capsule wardrobe in every sense of the word. When I found my next home, there was going to be plenty of cupboard space and some serious retail therapy. It would be a priority.
‘This place smells musty,’ Lisa criticised, sniffing the air.
‘It does not,’ I retorted. ‘However, it is a bit nippy.’
I cast around for the gadget that operated the wall unit. Ah, there it was. Languishing on the kitchen worktop. Scooping it up, I pointed the remote at a contraption that doubled as both air conditioning and heating. Right now, the latter was required.
‘There,’ I said, setting the remote down. ‘We’ll soon be toastie. After all, it’s only a small space to heat.’
‘Indeed,’ said Lisa dryly. ‘Garden sheds are never ginormous.’
‘Oh, give over,’ I tutted. I flopped down on the sofa where Cindy was currently sitting. She was bolt upright. As a result, she looked rather temporary.
Are we sharing this bed later?
‘Yes,’ I said.
‘Yes what?’ Lisa frowned.
‘Er, sorry. Thought you said something.’
‘No, I didn’t. But don’t get comfortable. I thought you said we were going to the local pub.’ She glanced at her wristwatch. ‘I’m feeling quite peckish. Shall we have an early dinner?’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ I agreed.
‘And a bottle of wine. Or two,’ she added.
‘Sure. But don’t forget you’re driving later.’
‘Oh, sod it,’ she shrugged. ‘I can always crash out here with you. Didn’t you say this sofa converts into a double bed?’
‘Yes,’ I said reluctantly. I wasn’t sure I wanted Lisa staying over. I still felt tearful. Drinking lots of wine and then, later, having a good howl – alone – was high on my list of priorities. ‘Won’t Juan be expecting you to Facetime him tonight?’
‘Yes, probably,’ she sighed. ‘You’re right. I’ll pace myself with the vino, and then drive home.’
‘Good idea,’ I agreed, letting her believe the thought had been hers all along. ‘Come on then.’ I stood up, reached for the zapper again, and turned the heating down to low. ‘We’ll take Cindy with us. I don’t want her left alone until she’s settled in.’
I shrugged on my coat and reached for Cindy’s lead. Lisa followed me. Outside, the light was fading fast. She glanced over at Milo’s place.
‘Before we take ourselves off, shall we say hello to your sexy landlord?’
I followed her gaze. Starlight Cottage was in darkness.
‘I don’t think he’s in.’
‘Shame,’ she sighed.
‘Hang on,’ I teased. ‘I thought you were totally mesmerised by Juan.’
‘I am,’ she assured. ‘But there’s nothing wrong with a bit of window shopping,’ she added carelessly. ‘And having met Milo Soren previously, I can attest that he is very easy on the eye. Don’t you agree?’
I gave an indifferent shrug.
‘If you like that sort of thing,’ I said vaguely.
Thankfully the grey light hid my giveaway blushes. I let my hair fall across my face as I locked up the studio. The last thing I wanted was Lisa seeing my flaming cheeks, or I’d never hear the end of it.
‘Still, you must agree’ – she persisted – ‘it must be thrilling having a gorgeous guy on your doorstep.’
‘Not especially,’ I said, as Lisa opened the garden gate. We stepped out onto Starlight Lane and headed off, Cindy trotting obediently to heel. ‘As you said, he’s my landlord. Nothing more, nothing less.’
‘A bloody sexy landlord though, eh!’ said Lisa throatily. ‘Just imagine. There you are. Sitting on your sofa-cum-bed. Watching telly. Minding your own business. And then’ – she glanced at me with huge eyes – ‘a humungous spider parachutes down from the ceiling. It sends you into such a tizzy, you shriek loudly. And then Milo dashes along the garden path and bursts in, demanding to know what’s wrong. You’re now standing on the sideboard with your skirts hitched up. You say’ – she adopted a silly voice – ‘ Oh, Milo. Thank goodness you’re here. There’s a huge spider. On my bed. And Milo will give you a smouldering look before declaring, Fear not, Tilly. I am at your service. And then he’d dispose of the spider… and service you.’
She guffawed loudly at this imagined situation, blissfully unaware that I’d already had several scenarios play out in my head ever since Milo had handed over the key.
‘Yes, well, that isn’t going to happen,’ I tutted, suppressing a shudder at the idea of an eight-legged visitor descending from the rafters. ‘And even if it did, I have Cindy to protect me. She’s ace at catching spiders.’
There’s something very satisfying about flattening them with one’s paw.
‘Well don’t let on to Milo,’ said Lisa. ‘Sometimes it’s good to show your vulnerable side. I think men like that. It makes them feel macho and protective. Also, you could do a lot worse than him.’
‘Oh, please ,’ I said, rolling my eyes. ‘Don’t go all Mills and Boon on me.’
‘But you have to admit’ – she was thoughtful now – ‘it is rather opportunist.’
‘I’m not listening to this,’ I declared.
‘Think about it, Tilly,’ she said, suddenly excited. ‘You’re single. He’s single.’
‘ La la la ,’ I sang, sticking my fingers in my ears.
‘Oh, have it your way,’ she huffed, as the pub came into view.
‘I know you mean well,’ I said, patting her forearm. ‘But realistically I’m not ready for romance. Not sure I ever will be.’
‘Don’t be so negative,’ Lisa chided, as we approached the pub’s main door. She went on through. ‘Ooh, this is nice.’ She gave the cosy interior the once over. ‘And there’s a table right by the wood burner. Lovely!’
She made her way over to it and pulled out a chair. It was the same place I’d sat with Milo when he’d offered me his studio. With a pang of wistfulness, I followed her and sat down.