She looked at me, a smile on her face, waiting for me to say what I was trying to say. I wasn’t entirely sure what that was myself so there was a good chance she might be waiting a long time.
Charlie’s mum smiled at me. ‘I know you’re not. Yet. Unlike Charlie, Alex is more obvious when he’s got the hots for some girl. I should know, I’ve seen them all come and go, over the years.’
‘There’s been a lot, then?’ I laughed.
‘Oh, no, not like that. I just meant I’ve watched these boys grow up and seen the various girls that have come in and out of all of their lives. I sometimes wonder when they might get around to settling down. They’re all such good lads. They deserve to find the right one.’
‘Maybe they’re still happy looking.’
She waggled her head in a ‘perhaps’ way.
‘Although I think you might be right about that with Charlie. He said something to that effect when I asked him why he wasn’t interested in Elaine.’
‘I’d agree with you there. Charlie’s never short of offers, like you say. But some of the girls he’s been out with? Well, you can tell they’re not interested in the real Charlie. Just what he looks like and what his money can buy them. He fell for it a few times, too. I think he’s learned that lesson now. It’s made him cautious.’
‘Poor Charlie. I hate to think of someone taking advantage like that.’
‘Yes. It wasn’t easy to watch, but it’s difficult to say anything, as his mother. It can backfire if they think you don’t like their choice of partner.’
‘I guess so.’
‘Perhaps you can keep an eye on him?’
I tilted my head. ‘I think he’s got things pretty sussed, to be honest. And whilst he’s reserved, I’m sure if he made his mind up to do something, or see someone, nothing I could say would have much effect.’
‘He can be stubborn when he feels he needs to be. That’s true.’
I rubbed her arm in a gesture of reassurance. ‘He’ll find the right person. I’m sure of it.’
‘I hope you do too, Libby. You’re a lovely girl.’
‘Thank you,’ I said, impulsively hugging her. She returned it, laughing.
‘Libs, you ready to go? The taxi should be here any minute,’ Charlie called over.
‘Yep.’ I nodded and we made our way over to the boys. Marcus and Amy had left a short time ago and Alex, Charlie and I were getting a second taxi back to our respective residences. We said goodbye and walked down the path, watching as car headlights came down the road. The cab driver saw us waiting and pulled into the kerb. From the corner of my eye, I saw Alex make a small head gesture at Charlie, and Charlie got in the front seat.
‘Where to?’ the driver said.
Charlie gave him all three addresses.
‘Any particular order?’
‘So long as the marina isn’t last,’ Alex put in.
I turned my head. ‘I don’t mind being last.’
He moved his hand across the seat and brushed my fingers. ‘Humour me.’ In the half-light I could see his eyes were serious.
‘OK,’ I said, my hand tingling from his touch. If I was honest, that wasn’t the only thing tingling. ‘As it’s you.’
His eyes hadn’t left me, and at my comment he flashed a smile.
Charlie was dropped off first. He leant back through the seats and slapped Alex on the leg.
‘See you tomorrow, mate.’ He twisted to me and patted my knee – it was kind of all he could do from that angle. ‘See you soon, Libs.’ And then he got out.
‘Charlie!’ I said, pushing open the door and climbing out of the car, and probably not at my most elegant. ‘Aren’t you jetting off tomorrow night?’
