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Apart from anything, thought Nikki, she didn’t have time for anyone else in her life.
Adam rolled his eyes. ‘People ask me that too. I find it really rude.’
‘I know! As if you’re incomplete without another person.’
‘I can’t imagine having anyone else in my life. I’ve got my kids, of course, but Eva’s in Berlin, ensconced in the art world. She inherited her mum’s talent. And Oscar’s working in finance in New York. My head for figures, I guess, but much better than me at making money.’ He ran his foot along Gatsby’s back. ‘Meanwhile, I’ve got Gatsby. He’s all I need. For the time being, anyway.’
‘I’d love a dog, but I’m out of the house too much. It wouldn’t be fair.’
‘I don’t know where I’d be without him, to be honest.’ Adam jumped up. ‘Let me get something to snack on or we’ll be footless.’
He disappeared off towards the kitchen, Gatsby shadowing him. Nikki sank back into the sofa, sipping her gimlet, feeling herself relax. It was bliss, after the last few days of chasing solicitors and poor Joel, wondering if the sale would go through or collapse at the last minute for some unforeseen reason, plus panicking she had overstretched herself and would regret buying it. It was an investment, she reminded herself, and the happiness it was bringing her already was worth every penny.
Adam came back with an earthenware bowl of home-made hummus, lemony and garlicky and strewn with pine nuts and fresh coriander. Nikki realised she was ravenous as she picked up a triangle of warm pitta and dug in.
‘Oh my God,’ she said. ‘This is the food of the gods.’
‘It’s my weak spot,’ said Adam. ‘It’s about a million calories a teaspoon but I could live on it.’
‘God, me too.’ Nikki hoped she didn’t seem greedy as she scooped up another dollop.
‘Fill your boots. It’ll stop me eating it. I really miss having someone to cook for.’ A shadow flickered over his face for a moment. ‘I could give you some to take home.’
‘I might have to get you to supply us for our grazing platters.’
‘What’s a grazing platter?’
‘You know, a big wooden board covered in charcuterie and cheese and fruit and dips and … well, anything you can think of, really.’
‘Maybe that could be my side hustle. Or I could just give you the recipe. Do you do all the catering?’
‘Not me. I’m a hopeless cook. I use a company that have a unit next to me. Though my mother does the cakes.’
‘What a lovely job that must be. Wedding cakes.’
‘Don’t underestimate the stress. There’s a lot of high emotion. But she loves doing them. It’s what gave me the idea for the business. She was getting swamped with orders, and we realised loads of people were coming here to get married. So, I set up The Seaside Wedding Company.’
‘Smart move. Smart name.’
‘Lots of people have jumped on the bandwagon since. But I was the first and I like to think I’m the best.’
‘Well, I’m sure you are.’
‘In the meantime, whatever you need, just let me know,’ she told him. ‘Chimney sweep, window cleaner. Log delivery. I’ll make sure you’re not ripped off. People can take the mickey if they think you’re from up country.’
‘And who can blame them?’ said Adam. ‘I’ll take you up on that. I might need someone who can look after Gatsby if I go up to London. I’ll need to go and meet clients once or twice a month.’
In response to hearing his name, Gatsby rolled onto his back on the Moroccan rug and waved his legs in the air.
‘My niece Juno is a dog walker,’ said Nikki. ‘She gets very booked up but I’ll put in a good word.’
‘I can’t believe I’ve moved in next to the person to know.’
Nikki looked at her watch and realised it was nearly nine. The time had flown by. She jumped up.
‘I’d better go. I need to get up at the crack of dawn and fill the skip. If you’ve got any rubbish you want to chuck in, feel free.’
Too much gin was making her babble. She didn’t have much head for booze these days. It was definitely time to go.
