‘Thanks. I’m not raising my hopes, but it might be nice to go on a date. Like you say, it’s been a while.’
‘It has… so whatareyou going to wear?’
‘I’ve really no idea! I don’t know where we’re going. I’m going to have to hedge my bets, I think.’
‘Or just go all out and knock his socks off.’
‘Oh. I don’t know. I don’t want to set standards I can’t keep.’ I laughed.
‘Rubbish. He’s seen the floaty, day version of you. Now show him the vampy night version!’
‘I don’t have a vampy night version!’
‘Of course you do!’
‘And what if we go to a diner? I’m going to look ridiculous.’
‘I’ve a feeling that Alex isn’t going to take you to a diner on a first date. He’ll be wanting to impress you. Don’t you want to impress him?’
Did I?
‘I’m not looking for anything… serious. You know that. And I don’t want to pretend to be someone I’m not.’
‘You’re not. It’s just clothes and make-up, Libs. I can’t believe I’m telling you, of all people, that!’
‘Argh, I know, I know.’ I flopped down on the sofa.
‘Can I ask you something?’
‘Of course!’
‘What if something serious comes looking for you?’
‘Alex isn’t serious.’
‘You don’t know that. But hypothetically. Not necessarily Alex.’
I didn’t answer.
‘You don’t think someone will ever be worth the risk?’ Amy’s voice was soft and concerned.
My mind tumbled back to the look on my dad’s face as he caught Mum falling that day. The pleading in his voice as he performed CPR. The stunned, shattered expression he wore as he helped bear her coffin at the service.
‘It’s not that people aren’t worth the risk. It’s that I’ve seen what happens when luck turns its back on you. That’s what I’m not prepared to risk.’
Amy didn’t reply but I heard her sigh.
‘You should get some more rest.’
‘I’m OK. Do you want me to come round and help you get ready?’
I kind of did, but I thought of Amy, more than likely tucked up in a blanket with Marcus fussing around her as she recovered from her party head – and what might have been a long night, judging by the way she and Marcus were locked together when they left.
‘No, it’s fine. But thank you for the offer. You just concentrate on recovering.’
‘OK, if you’re sure. And thank you. It’s a shame you don’t know where you’re going. Can’t you ask him?’
‘I sort of like that it’s a surprise in a way. Besides, I don’t have his number. He’s going to get mine off Charlie today.’
