‘Knocked him flat on his arse.’ I grinned; I couldn’t help it.
‘Hang on, I met Nick, didn’t I? Is he your deputy editor?’
‘No, you’re thinking of Gav. I couldn’t imagine him ever stepping in to defend my honour.’
She looked at me, waiting for more. After a couple of moments, I started feeling uncomfortable. ‘What?’
‘Who is this guy, who jumps to your defence like that? He must really like you.’
‘I didn’t think he liked me at all, not after last week when I...’
‘When you what?’
‘I kissed him, then ran out on him.’
Her eyes widened. ‘He must like you quite a bit.’
I picked up my coffee, then put it back down again without drinking.
‘That punch cost him his job – maybe his career. He got manhandled, and then hit, by Jonny’s bouncers afterwards, and when I went to find out if he was okay, he told me he had feelings for me.’
‘Good grief!’
‘That was my reaction. With added swear words.’
‘And this wasbeforeyou heard from Simon?’
‘There’s more.’
‘Did something happen at the hospital?’
‘Simon told me he regretted his time with Jess. He asked if there was still a chance for the two of us, because he’d suddenly seen the light.’
‘So let me get this straight – you hadtwomen tell you they’re in love with you in one evening?’
‘I know, it sounds unbelievable – like something out of a Regency novel.’
‘Let’s take them one by one. What did you say to Simon?’
‘He was groggy and a nurse came in before I could answer him. But the truth is, I have no idea how I feel about him. I don’t want to be his second rebound after his divorce.’
‘What did you say to Nick?’
‘Not much. I was speechless.’
‘Zoë Frixos lost for words?’ She smiled. ‘That’s a first.’
My guilt came flooding back. ‘I should have reacted better, told him something kinder. But then I got a call from Jess telling me Simon was in hospital, and all I could think of was getting to him.’
‘It was a medical emergency, surely he’d understand?’
‘But my reaction was awful before that. What on earth can I say to make things go back to the way they were between us?’
‘Are you close friends?’
It was a good question. ‘Half the time he drove me mad, but he made me look at things differently; and sometimes I felt he was the only person who got me.’
‘You’re talking about him in the past tense.’
