‘It certainly can do. But you’re fine, and this is going to be wonderful. Just think, in a couple of weeks’ time, you’re going to get to wake up every morning to a beautiful view of the Thames and look out over the twinkling lights of London every evening. And share all that with the man you love. Plus, you get to cut out the crappy commute for a brief tube hop.’
‘There are definitely benefits. Although the view here of next door’s bins was one that was hard to beat.’
‘I hope the estate agent listed that as a feature.’
‘Why do you think I’ve had such a stream of viewings?’ Her grin widened and she leant over and hugged me. ‘Thanks, Lots.’
‘You’re welcome,’ I said, my voice slightly muffled by her shoulder. Sitting her back, I tilted my head. ‘Do you want some help with this?’ I nodded at the boxes surrounding us.
‘I’d say yes, but I know it’s your year of saying no, so I’m thinking this might be a trick question.’
I grinned. ‘No tricks, I promise. The saying no thing doesn’t mean saying no to everything—'
‘I feel like this is information I really ought to pass on to Seb Marshall.’
‘Oh shoosh. Look, do you want me to come round with my incredible organisational skills tomorrow and help you whip this lot into shape so you can stop tying yourself up in knots about it all?’
‘I do.’
‘OK. Good. We’ll be round at ten.’
‘We?’ Her eyes lit up expectantly.
I rolled my own. ‘If you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking, I’m pretty sure the way to Seb’s heart is not to ask him to come and pack up my best friend’s house as a first date.’
Jess shrugged. ‘He’s ex-military. They’re usually really organised and like things just so. Who knows? That might be a dream date for him!’
‘He’s been on quite a few dates since I’ve known him and, as far as I can remember, none of them have veered in the direction of moving someone’s stuff. It’s been more candlelit dinners and walks in the great outdoors.’
‘And yet he’s still single. Perhaps because none of those dates were the perfect one?’ My friend was nothing if not persistent.
‘I really don’t know. I know one girl got funny about his prosthetic when it came to… getting intimate.’
‘Getting intimate? You all right, grandma?’ Jess laughed. ‘What do you mean, anyway? She didn’t know?’
‘Oh, she knew. He’s upfront about that and lives in shorts half the time anyway, but… I don’t know. I guess she hadn’t clicked that he takes it off at night or something.’
‘How did he seem after that?’ Jess’ forehead wrinkled with concern and I loved her for it.
‘OK. Just took it in his stride – no pun intended. He said it’s not the first time someone’s been uncomfortable about it, and it won’t be the last. He wasn’t bitter about it and didn’t hold it against her. Said it just showed she wasn’t the one for him and that was OK.’
‘Sounds like he has a pretty healthy attitude.’
‘He does. Although he’ll be the first to admit he struggled with that when he was first injured. I think that’s why he’s so good at what he does with the charity. He’s been there, literally.’
Jess went quiet.
‘I can practically hear the cogs turning. What?’
‘Does it bother you?’
‘Does what bother me?’
‘His injury.’
‘Of course not. Why would it?’
‘I don’t mean now. I meant if something happened. You know, between you two.’
