‘It’s funny,’ she murmured. ‘I spent years telling myself I was fine with the distance, that Adam was happier with his dad and I was too busy with work to be able to raise him properly. But hearing him say he wanted to visit made me insanely happy. It felt like a new beginning.’
Her eyes filled with tears and she wiped them with the corner of her napkin. ‘Enough of me,’ she went on, looking down at her plate. ‘Now, tell us about you, Cleo. Why are you glowing?’
Maya popped a forkful of food in her mouth and eyed her friend, who pretended to examine her nails.
‘Oh, nothing much has happened, to be honest,’ Cleo said airily.
‘Liar!’ Tash said immediately.
‘And a bad one at that,’ Maya added.
‘Fine,’ Cleo conceded, straightening up. ‘I’ve dipped a toe in the dating pool.’
Maya gasped and Tash squealed.
‘You absolute dark horse,’ Maya cried, leaning forward so as not to miss a single word of what was to come next.
‘I thought you were a bit frisky with that Achilles in Crete,’ Tash added, with a cheeky grin. ‘It was only a matter of time before you found someone here. But bloody hell, Cleo!’
Cleo held up her hands. ‘Before you get all carried away, I’ve only had a few dates. Just coffees, and one walk. Nothing dramatic. None of the blokes were remotely suitable. One had terrible breath and another droned on about his ex-wife and his bowel habits – sometimes in the same sentence.’
Tash nearly choked on a piece of burger. ‘Oh God, no. Stop – it hurts?—’
‘But,’ Cleo continued, laughing, ‘I needed some practice. It was so long since I’d dated anyone, I’d forgotten how to do it. To my surprise, it was quite fun.’
Maya nodded. ‘Well done. You deserve some fun, after everything you went through with your ex.’
‘And Erica’s being lovely,’ Cleo added. ‘We’re getting on amazingly well. I still have to be a bit careful about what I say or she might fly off the handle. But she’s trying and so am I. It feels…’ She searched for the right word. ‘It feels as if we both want the same thing and we’re both prepared to do our very best.’
‘That’s beautiful,’ Tash said. ‘Truly.’
‘It really is,’ Maya added. ‘I’m so pleased for you.’
Maya finished her last mouthful and put her knife and fork together before turning to Tash.
‘What about you? It’s your turn now.’
‘Hang on,’ Tash said, straightening up and pushing her fringe aside. ‘First, I want to hear what’s happened to Achilles. Cleo, have you and he been in touch?’
Cleo felt her cheeks redden. She’d decided not to mention a word to her friends aboutthatkiss. The memory felt almost sacred and she didn’t want to tarnish it with jokes and teasing.
‘Actually, yes,’ she said truthfully. ‘We’ve been writing to each other a bit. He sends his love to you.’
Maya inspected Cleo’s face suspiciously. ‘A bit? What does that mean?’
‘Well, a lot actually,’ Cleo admitted, with a sheepish grin. ‘I do really, really like him. But we’re so different and we live miles apart and lead such different lives. I don’t see how anything could work long-term.’
‘Why don’t you invite him to London?’ Tash suggested. ‘You could show him a good time.’
Cleo nodded. ‘I have. Sort of. But I’m afraid he won’t like it. I think he’ll hate the crowds and the concrete everywhere. And he’ll miss the sea terribly.’
‘Well, go and visit him in Crete then.’
‘He’s asked me to,’ Cleo said with a coy smile, ‘but I’m nervous.’
‘Nervous?’ Maya repeated. ‘Why?’
‘Because things were so lovely between us before, but the circumstances were highly unusual. I mean, I was only supposed to be in Crete for a week, of course, then there was the bloody great earthquake. Like any disaster, I guess, it threw everyone together and Achilles and I got quite close. If I go back now, I’m afraid it won’t be the same. He’ll see me clearly in the cold light of day and realise I’m a fifty-something woman with a load of baggage. What if he thinks –what the hell am I doing?Maybe it’s better just to hold on to the wonderful memories and leave it at that.’
