‘Holland Park.’
‘That’s just up the road.’
He nodded. ‘I even saw a couple this side of the roundabout.’
‘You mean you’d stoop so low as to have a W12 postcode?’
‘Yeah, I’d be roughing it. But Shepherd’s Bush has its upsides.’
‘The shopping’s good and it’s easy to get into town.’
He held my eye and I knew he wasn’t talking about Westfield or the transport links.
‘I’m sorry about lying to you, Si.’
‘No, I’m sorry for losing my temper. You didn’t deserve it.’
It was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. ‘Let’s not argue again.’
‘Deal,’ said Simon. He pulled out his phone. ‘I’ll give Jess a call.’
I froze. Did he want me to apologise to her too? I slumped onto the counter. ‘Why do you need to ring her?’
‘To arrange that get-together with us and Nick.’
Relief flooded through me. This was more than I’d dared hope for. ‘You’re okay with that?’
He walked over to me and clasped my hand. ‘I want to help you, Zoë. It’s the least I can do after being a jackass.’
I squeezed his hand back. ‘Thanks, Si. I appreciate it.’ I’d been leaning against the counter, but now I stood up taller. ‘I need to take a shower. Can you amuse yourself for a while?’
He nodded. ‘Of course. As long as you trust me with that open window and yourTV.’
The postcard had worked after all. I should never have doubted Zak.
I’d showered, blow-dried my hair and was eating a cheese and pickle sandwich that Simon had rustled up from the contents of my fridge. It gave me a warm glow that he was so comfortable in my flat.
By the time we were ready to leave for Georgia’s, everything was back to normal between us. Simon looked amazing in his Indiana Jones get-up. He hadn’t shaved that morning, and his stubble added an extra layer of authenticity, not to mention sexiness.
His hotness contrasted with my sexless Dorothy costume. A baby-blue and white gingham pinafore – honestly, could I have chosen a more virginal outfit?Sonot the image I wanted to project tonight. I’d planned to style my hair into two plaits but – with apologies to Judy Garland – sod that. I’d wear my hair loose and wavy.
The sparkly ruby slippers did their bit to vamp up my anaemic costume, but only just. I added a layer of gloss to myMACRed lipstick, just to jazz things up a bit.
‘You’re looking mighty fine, Frixie,’ said Simon when he saw me frowning.
‘Really? I feel a bit frumpy.’
‘Mother of God, you must be kidding. You’re prompting a rather uncomfortable adult reaction to a favourite childhood character. And these pants aretight.’
I felt my cheeks colour instantly. He was joking, right?
Don’t look at his crotch.
Don’t look. Don’t look. Don’t look.
I looked.
Inconclusive. But I could only peek for a split second.
