Page 47 of Be More Capybara

‘Yeah, all mine. The dealer delivered her yesterday afternoon.’

So that’s why he’d been reluctant to meet up for lunch.

‘Is there space in there for my sports bag?’

‘Unless you’re bringing a full-size suitcase, it will fit in the boot. It’s deceptively big.’

She wasn’t convinced, but she’d soon find out. ‘I’ll be out in two minutes.’

She rushed back into the kitchen. ‘Harry! Have you seen my trainers?’

‘They’re in here by the back door.’

Of course. She’d used them to go outside with Rocky earlier. She would’ve remembered that if she hadn’t been so distracted by what to wear.

She quickly put them on and grabbed her bag. ‘I may be out a while,’ she said to Harry before heading outside.

Nigel was leaning against his new car, his arms folded, like a retired Formula One driver posing for a magazine cover. It looked like he’d invested in a new fitted winter jacket too. Very flattering. ‘What do you think?’ he asked.

That you’re looking far too hot for me to behave myself with you. ‘Since when have you preferred driving a sports car?’

‘Our jaunt in Mum’s Triumph reminded me how fun it could be, so I did my research, found this beauty at the dealer in Exeter, gave her a spin, and now she’s all mine. I sense you disapprove?’

He sounded slightly disappointed.

‘No, not at all. It - sorry, she - is beautiful.’ Helen stroked her fingers across the paintwork on the bonnet, enjoying the warm feel of the metal. ‘You’ve just surprised me, that’s all. After that practical old Volvo you used to drive around in, it’s not what I was expecting.’

‘I’m done with being practical. I’ve earned some fun.’

Was that a meaningful look he was giving her? You need to find a way to get him to realise you’re even more fun than a sports car.

He took her bag and stowed it in the boot. It fitted perfectly.

She walked round to the passenger door.

‘Let me do that.’ Nigel grabbed the handle and opened the door wide.

‘I could get used to this level of attention,’ she said as she settled down on the soft leather seat.

He looked like he was about to say something but changed his mind.

‘Let’s go,’ he said as he headed back to the driver’s side.

‘And this is our state of the art gym,’ said Tasha, who was showing them around the facilities. It was full of people of all shapes, ages and sizes. What they had in common was that they were concentrating hard on their various exercises.

‘Excuse me for a second.’ Tasha headed over to one of the trainers.

‘This is all looking rather too much like hard work to me,’ Helen whispered when she was out of earshot.

Nigel glanced at her. ‘You don’t need to spend hours in here. You’re fit already.’

She felt her cheeks redden. Nigel looked away.

‘How does it compare to the gym in the middle of Dashford?’ she asked.

‘Much bigger, more equipment.’ He nodded at the long wall of windows that looked over the golf course and the rolling hills beyond. ‘And that view’s more inspiring than the bins behind the church.’

‘You might join then?’