‘I am,’ I said, sounding none too happy about it.
‘You know you’re going to have to move whatever decision you make.’
‘I know.’ I let out a sigh, but still made no effort to move.
‘You can come back and sit in that exact position.’
‘It won’t be the same.’
‘Come on, Goldilocks.’ Charlie leant down and scooted his hands underneath my arms, then lifted me out of the sofa and stood me up.
‘That’s cheating.’
‘I want my wine.’
‘I said I’d get a cab.’
‘And I said I’d drive you. So, come on.’ He took my hand and led me down the stairs to where we’d both kicked off our shoes earlier.
‘So, what’s the plan?’ Charlie asked as he pulled up outside the flats. ‘Am I waiting now or what?’
I’d opened the door and had one leg out.
‘I—’
‘Well, don’t you just keep getting better and better?’ Rula’s husky voice drifted in as she stopped by my open door and bent to look in at Charlie, running her hand sensually over the paintwork of his Aston as she did so. I squashed myself back in my seat to avoid losing an eye. The low-cut sundress was apparently the only piece of clothing being pressed into service right now. A wrap dangled from her hand but she made no move to put it on. Bearing in mind the cooler night air, it might have been a good option. Or not. Depending on who you spoke to. Either way, it was pretty clear that Charlie was being treated to the full spectacle.
‘Evening,’ he said.
‘Isn’t this beautiful?’ she said, drawing her hand over the car again.
‘Thank you. I like it.’
Rula threw me a look. Friendly. Assessing. Trying to work out whether I was sleeping with Charlie. I was pretty sure she came up with a negative answer because she carried on flirting for another few minutes, with me feeling very much the third wheel and unable to do anything about it as she leaned across me and batted her false eyelashes at Charlie. Every time she laughed, she threw her head back and I got a mouthful of hair whilst Charlie got a full eyeful of her cleavage standing to attention.
‘We’d better get going,’ Charlie said, at the first opportunity that didn’t feel like an immediate brush-off.
Rula gave one last rake of her eyes over his body. ‘Shame. But you know where I am.’
‘Um hmm.’ Charlie smiled brightly, and I stifled a laugh.
Rula stood and smoothed down her dress as I exited the car. Charlie stepped out the other side and the doors locked.
‘Have a good evening,’ I called as she turned to go.
She flicked her gaze between us. ‘And you. Oh, by the way, there’s no hot water in our block. They’re supposed to be sending someone out tomorrow. Apparently.’ She gave a wave of her hand as if to say she would believe that when she saw it, which was sometimes the case in these circumstances.
‘Great,’ I said.
‘There’s your decision, then. Grab your stuff and you can come back to my place and I don’t have to detour in the morning.’
I chewed my lip and looked at him.
‘There’s lots of lovely hot water at my place…’ he said, and began to mime taking a shower, with the sort of enjoyment noises you heard on shampoo commercials.
I nudged him. ‘You twit. And if Rula hears you making those noises, she’ll have you up against that wall before you know what’s happening. And don’t expect me to come to your rescue.’
Charlie glanced at the wall.
