‘Two more messages. And I have a date.’ I couldn’t keep the excitement out of my voice as I did a little dance round the lounge.
‘Really? When? Who?’
‘He’s called Steve Turner. I’d put him in my favourites and he got in touch last night. We’ve exchanged a few messages this evening and we’re going to the cinema tomorrow night.’
‘Can I come round and help you get ready?’
‘If you want. I could probably do with some wardrobe advice.’
‘We can discuss a strategy for what to do if he’s creepy or boring and you want to escape. Not that he will be, of course,’ Elise said, ‘because he may well betheSteven.’
‘I know.’ I did another little dance round the room. ‘I’m so excited.’
‘What about the other message?’
‘Some bloke called Darren. He sounds nice, but I haven’t replied yet because I was too excited about hearing from one of my Stevens. I might wait until after the cinema then get in touch.’
‘Remember he’s not a Steven, though.’
‘I know. But he sounds nice.’
‘Sarah!’
‘I know. I need to be strong.’
‘I know it’s tough, but if you spend time with Darrens it’s time you’re not spending with Stevens. And if you’re deviating into non-Stevens, I suspect there’s a Nick who may be top of your list.’
As usual, she was right.
16
?? From Auntie Kay
Good flight over to Canada and settled in our hotel in Vancouver. Have you and Nick got your act together yet? I know he’s not called Steven but surely you can see he’s perfect for you xx
?? To Auntie Kay
Can’t believe you’re thousands of miles away and you’re still meddling! I have a date tonight. With a Steven. So ner! xxx
I checked my watch as I hurried down the cliff path to the seafront. Whose stupid idea was it to wear high-heeled boots? Hurrying in heels wasn’t easy and I was late. It wasn’t even my fault. As I was leaving the street, one of Auntie Kay’s neighbours stopped to congratulate me on being the new owner of Seaside Blooms and ask me whether Auntie Kay was enjoying her travels. Despite my protests that I had to meet someone and that Auntie Kay had only left yesterday, Mrs Bailey kept me for nearly fifteen minutes talking about the time she’dalmostbooked a long weekend break to New York before deciding on a static caravan in Cleethorpes instead – not quite the same thing.
As soon as I rounded the corner, I spotted Steve, immediately recognisable from his online photo. He raised his hand, stared at his watch, shook his head then turned to stare down the seafront in the opposite direction from my approach. Hmm, if my interpretation of his body language was correct, Steve Turner was not a happy little bunny at being kept waiting.
I took a deep breath and tapped him on the arm, declaring brightly, ‘Steve? I’m Sarah.’ I put my hand out to shake his and felt very small when he didn’t take it. Years of working in business made this a natural reaction on meeting someone new, but perhaps it wasn’t appropriate. Especially for a date I’d kept waiting. Especially a date with a face like thunder. Especially a date who was looking at me as though I was something unpleasant he’d just trodden in. Oh pants. It was going to be a long night.
‘You’re late.’
I self-consciously put my hand back down by my side. ‘I’m so sorry. I got held up. One of my?—’
‘It’s about to start,’ he interrupted. ‘You owe me £7.75.’ He put his hand out.
‘Sorry?’
‘£7.75. I’ve already bought the tickets.’ He moved his outstretched hand slightly closer to me and repeated, ‘£7.75.’
‘Erm, okay.’ I rummaged in my bag for my purse and handed him a tenner.
‘I haven’t got any change.’
