Page 4 of Never Too Late to Date

Suzie noted the slight turn of the head and the smile disappear from Vicky’s face at the word dogs. There was definitely something going on there too.

‘I just find that animals are so much nicer than humans on the whole.’

‘Agreed.’

Suzie waved at their mutual friend Angeliki, who had finally broken apart from her boyfriend, Nick, now the smoochy music had stopped.

‘Ange, over here!’

Suzie leant over and whispered to Vicky.

‘I like to call her Ange and tell her she reminds me of the Ange who ran the Queen Vic, just to wind her up.’

Vicky laughed her rare laugh again, and Suzie saw how it transformed the woman’s angular face. She decided she was going to make it her mission to cheer up the new arrival.

Angeliki’s wild curly hair was flattened on one side where she’d had her head on Nick’s shoulder.

‘Don’t call me that! I’ve told you so many times.’

Angeliki gathered both women in a group hug.

‘Two of my favourite girls together in one place.’

Suzie leant in and sniffed at her friend’s clothes.

‘You smell of aftershave and man. We’re off the male species for good in this corner.’

Vicky caught Angeliki’s worried glance at Suzie’s jokey delivery. Her old friend knew Vicky’s marriage hadn’t been a happy one, but Vicky had always hidden the unvarnished truth from her. This was a new start, and she was determined that no one should feel sorry for her because of Ian. He wasn’t worth it.

‘Yeah! Who needs men? I’m sixty, single and proud of it!’

Vicky wasn’t quite sure why she’d punched the air as she’d shouted into the night, but she wanted to reassure Angeliki she was coping just fine. Putting on a brave face for other people had been hardwired into her DNA for so long, it had become automatic. Both women smiled.

‘We don’t need men’—Angeliki stole a look back at Nick, standing talking with a group of people—‘but they are quite nice to have around sometimes.’

Suzie put her arm around her friend’s shoulder.

‘It’s OK. You don’t need to pretend to be anything but madly in love with Nick. We’re pleased for you, honest.’

Vicky nodded furiously in agreement even though she’d only met the man this afternoon.

‘You’ve waited a long time for the right one, and he’s just what you need.’

Angeliki fixed her eyes on Nick.

‘You have to admit, he is quite cute.’

Suzie looked over at the ordinary-looking, solidly built, middle-aged Greek man, whose gaze had sought out his girlfriend at the same moment. It was sweet how in tune they were with each other. She’d never had that with anyone.

That wasn’t strictly true. She had had it, once, many years ago, but she couldn’t go there. That way madness lay. She was perfectly happy on her own, just a little bored and restless. It wasn’t a man she needed but a focus. Throwing herself into old age, like some people she knew, was her worst nightmare. It was like they hit their sixties and gave up on many of the things they used to love. No one was going to accuse her of slowing down.

‘Another drink, anyone?’

Vicky shook her head.

‘I’ve got to get up at the crack of dawn tomorrow and do some work. They’ve given me an easy ride so far. I’ve just been cuddling kittens and patting the odd dog. But that can’t last.’

‘Fair enough. Ange?’