Page 90 of Daydreaming at the Boathouse Cafe

‘It really is,’ said Ben, chalking the end of the snooker cue before looking at Alex. ‘I owe you.’

Alex found himself at a loss for words, not really concentrating on the conversation as he tried to think of how to find the words that came next.

‘It’s not like you to be silently modest,’ said Jake, teeing off. ‘Oh, no, wait, that’s me.’

‘Modest?’ Ben laughed. ‘As if.’

Alex stepped up to take his shot.

‘OK. So I’m the playboy and Alex is the good guy,’ said Jake.

Was he a good guy? Alex sincerely hoped so. Even so, he misjudged the ball so badly it flew off and nearly hit Frankie as she came in.

‘Howzat?’ she asked, catching it in one hand. ‘Thought the game was snooker, not cricket.’

She placed the ball on the table and carried on to the bar.

‘You OK?’ asked Jake, looking at Alex with concern.

‘Yeah, what’s going on?’ asked Ben, frowning. ‘I’ve never seen you play so badly.’

‘You’re making even me look good and I’m the worst player out of the three of us,’ said Jake, with a grin.

‘Nothing,’ said Alex quickly, deciding that honesty perhaps wasn’t the best policy. Perhaps he and Hannah were best staying in a private relationship after all. But then again, he hated having secrets from his best friends.

‘It’s definitely something rather than nothing,’ said Jake, studying him. ‘I’m trying to work out your lapse of concentration with this game. Business is great. So it must be personal.’

Jake and Ben looked at him with raised eyebrows.

‘I’m fine,’ replied Alex automatically.

‘No, you’re not,’ said Ben. ‘Let’s see if another beer helps loosen your tongue a bit. I’ll get them in.’

He wandered away and up to the bar to ask Frankie for another round.

‘Is it Hannah?’ asked Jake softly.

Alex looked at him and nodded.

‘At last,’ replied Jake, with a grin. ‘Is it serious?’

‘The most serious relationship of my life,’ Alex told him.

Jake looked delighted, however Ben returned before he had a chance to reply.

‘So what did you find out?’ asked Ben, looking between them. ‘And who is she?’

Alex and Jake exchanged a look.

‘Well, she’s beautiful, lovely and incredibly gifted,’ Jake told him.

‘Blimey,’ said Ben, amazed. ‘So come on. Where did you meet this goddess?’

Alex took a deep breath. ‘Right here,’ he said, finally deciding to come clean.

Ben’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Here? Is she a guest?’

Alex found that the words wouldn’t come and looked at Jake for help.