Page 127 of Never Too Late to Date

‘I’ll have you for this. You and your fancy man.’

Alex stepped in front of her.

‘Don’t even think about it, mate. Look behind you. There are plenty of witnesses to your disgusting behaviour; witnesses who’ll testify to the fact that you accidentally fell over while threatening your ex-wife.’

Maeve, Seamus and Aoife all nodded in his direction and waved goodbye.

Ian turned on his heel and wrenched open the back door of the taxi.

‘Pah! Forget it! I’m getting out of this dump once and for all.’

A round of cheers greeted the taxi’s exit onto the main road.

Vicky turned to the people ranged in front of her. In the short time she’d been here, they’d become her crew. People she cared deeply about and who cared about her. She didn’t want to think too much about how deeply she cared about Alex. She certainly wasn’t looking for a relationship, and seeing Ian again had brought it home to her what a lottery the whole thing was. Best to just stay friends with Alex. Not that her body seemed to understand the concept of friendship. Maybe friends with occasional benefits would work, but nothing more.

‘Thank you all so much. Sorry you had to see that.’

Seamus blew her a kiss, and Maeve stepped forward and enveloped her in a hug.

‘Come in for a cuppa, love. You need to sit down.’

Vicky nodded.

Aoife also came forward and reached up to hug her.

‘You were so brave. And you’ve helped me more than you’ll ever know. I’m so pleased you’re staying.’

The tears were threatening, but she still had to thank Alex for taking a stand.

Their eyes met over Aoife’s head, and her stomach turned over.

She mouthed the words ‘thank you’, but he waved it away.

‘I’ve got to get back to a sick hedgehog. I’ll see you tonight as planned.’

Suzie paced the flat for the umpteenth time but still jumped at the noise of the doorbell. Christian was on time for once. She’d prepared a little speech in her head, wishing him well for the tour. She just had to get through the next few minutes, share a quick drink, harden her broken heart against him, and then she could get back to normal. The bedroom door was firmly shut, so he didn’t get any ideas, and her plan was to whisk him straight out onto the balcony.

His panting at the door after climbing the stairs was uncomfortably reminiscent of last night, and she hurried him in. He’d come armed with a bottle of Limoncello. She hoped he didn’t think it was some sort of magic elixir that would have her knickers off in seconds.

‘You didn’t finish yours last night, so I’ve brought you some more.’

‘Thanks. Shall we take our drinks out onto the balcony?’

He seemed in no hurry to move, casting his eye around every corner of the flat.

‘Nice place you’ve got here.’

Suzie sloshed some ice into two glasses, poured generous measures of Limoncello on top, grabbed a packet of peanuts and loaded a tray before replying.

‘Wait till you see the view from the balcony.’

‘You certainly seem very keen on me seeing it.’

Suzie ignored his comment and opened the French doors.

The view did shut him up for a couple of moments, as they took their seats side by side and sipped their drinks.

‘OK, Top Trumps to you. This is spectacular.’