Carol’s eyes widen in panic as she looks at me. It is one thing having a bite to eat, but lobster and champagne will wipe out the budget for the week, if not the year.
Soraya looks at us as she awaits our response and then pulls out her purse.
‘Andrew’s credit card. I’ve got free rein. He’s insisted we enjoy ourselves.’
It doesn’t sit comfortably with me, but Soraya is grinning and calls the waiter over to order us a bottle of fizz.
‘This is far too generous. But after this, you must let me get some bits in the supermarket,’ I say.
‘Aww, is that so you can go back and see your knight in shining armour, or should I say, knight in shorts and T-shirt?’ teases Carol.
‘No. Will you give up about him, please? He felt sorry for me, that’s all.’
I turn to the waiter, who pours our champagne into proper glasses and not flutes like I have at home. Despite the restaurant being full of glamorous couples and ladies who lunch, it feels as though he is giving us his undivided attention. What a gorgeous place for our first lunch.
‘This is really incredible, Soraya. It’s a great way to celebrate your birthday,’ I say.
‘I know – but wait until tomorrow night! Andrew booked us somewhere he says we’ll love. I can’t remember the name now.’
As we all gaze out at the yachts, I can’t believe I am sat here drinking champagne after the horrendous time I have had with the loss of my job, Michael’s midlife crisis and then losing my sweet cat, Stella.
I take a sip of my bubbly to enjoy the moment, and I almost choke. The bubbles shoot out of my nose, and I start to cough as I hear a male voice.
‘Well, hello! All right there?’
Soraya and Carol sit with their mouths wide open.
I feel Carol’s sharp nudge in my ribs. They are both looking up at the man who is towering above us.
I take a swig of the water that is thankfully on the table beside the champagne and try to stop myself from choking further.
‘Hello,’ I wheeze out through my breaths.
‘Didn’t think I’d see you again this soon,’ he says.
‘No. Well, I did hear Monaco is quite a small place.’
‘It is indeed,’ says my knight in shorts and T-shirt.
‘Are you going to introduce us to your friend then?’ says Carol.
I look at my two friends with their cheesy grins and it takes me right back to secondary school. If I could get away with kicking them both under the table like I used to, then I would.
‘This is the kind gentleman who helped me this morning when I went out for the milk.’
‘Yeah, we guessed that. We’ve heard all about you. In fact, we were just talking about you.’
I shake my head at Carol, willing her to please shut up. If she continues, I am going to tell everyone here how her ex stole her knickers and put them on eBay!
‘Pleased to meet you. I’m Elias,’ he says to the three of us.
‘Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself to you this morning. I’m Lucy. This is Soraya and Carol.’
‘What a delight to meet you all,’ he says.
‘Anyway, look. I have my purse with me now. Please, let me give you the money I owe you from this morning. I can’t thank you enough for that.’
‘No. As I said, pay it forward. Help someone else in their moment of need.’
