Page 11 of Never Too Late to Date

Maeve’s questioning look made Vicky realise she was scowling.

‘I know Alex can appear a little … unsociable … at times.’

Vicky stayed silent.

‘But he’s a calm pair of hands, and a fantastic vet.’

‘Right. I’ve only really met him for a couple of minutes.’

Maeve tried to smile.

‘Give him a chance. He might grow on you.’

That was highly unlikely, but she didn’t want to contradict the woman when she was so upset.

‘And you haven’t told Angeliki what’s happening?’

It would be so much better if her friend was involved and could share the burden. Maeve’s expression became a trifle shifty.

‘Not yet… She’s a fantastic vet as well, of course, and as you know she’s full of passion… So full of passion she’s liable to go round accusing people of all sorts, which is just what we don’t need at this point.’

Vicky nodded. She could well imagine her friend flying off the handle and making things worse.

‘Of course we’ll let her know in due course. I hate to ask you this, as I know she’s your friend, but I’d really appreciate it if you could keep it quiet a bit longer. Alex is keen to do some investigating first.’

Maeve’s worried face had her rushing to reassure her. It would be hard keeping it to herself, but she couldn’t push this woman any further. She already looked like she was at breaking point.

‘Of course I won’t say anything.’

‘Thank you again.’

‘No problem.’

‘I’ll let Alex know I’ve told you.’

‘Fine.’ Vicky forced a smile.

It had to be him, didn’t it? The four of them were now in a bizarre circle of trust she couldn’t break. She’d only met the man a few hours ago, and now they were both privy to an enormous secret.

Just as she reached the door, she remembered what she’d come for.

‘Oh yes, and I’m supposed to let you know that I have extensive operating theatre experience. Only with humans, but Alex seemed to think it urgent I tell you.’

At least Maeve smiled the first proper smile of the day.

‘Ah, that’s a great bit of news.’

As she closed the door behind her and made her way to the kitchen, Vicky could almost taste the beer she was going to pour down her throat when she got to Suzie’s Star Bar in a couple of hours.

Suzie’s hand shook as she opened the email one more time and put on the reading glasses she only wore in private. She was shut away in her tiny office behind the bar, and had given strict instructions to her son, Kostas, that she wasn’t to be disturbed. She only had a few minutes’ grace before the hordes needed serving.

There was no doubt about it. It was all there in black and white. She hadn’t been imagining it. An invitation to join a five-night Eighties-themed tour in Athens in three weeks’ time. To be one of the main acts performing her old songs in Greece’s capital. Three weeks was no time at all. And there was Easter in between. Frank the promoter had already asked her to join the whole European tour late last year, four months of touring everywhere from Rome to Paris, and she’d turned him down flat.

That part of her life was over. She was done with singing. Now it was something she only did in the shower or at the very occasional karaoke night. Who’d pay good money to hear her warble away?

Although she had to admit the money would come in handy. The pay was good, and she wasn’t exactly flush at the moment. The bar was doing well enough, but she’d had to buy out Panos, her ex, as part of the divorce, and she still had the last few payments to go until it was all hers. It was a joke that he’d got half, as she was the one who’d built up his simple café up into what it was now, but she’d had to swallow that.

Frank must be desperate if he was coming to her this late. The email said that someone had pulled out after breaking their leg, and she was the first person he’d thought of.