Page 57 of Never Too Late to Date

‘As requested, my lovelies.’

None of them were his lovelies, but they were all very grateful for the food.

‘Thanks so much, Frank.’

Suzie moaned with delight as she unwrapped the pitta stuffed with succulent pork pieces, salad, tzatziki and chips, the perfect combination of naughty and nice.

Frank seemed a little shocked at the frenzied way all three of them fell on the gyros, as if he’d never seen hungry, tipsy women before.

After the first few bites, with the taste of the combined ingredients exploding in her mouth, Suzie realised Frank was still there.

‘Not having one yourself?’

Frank shook his head and walked off.

Carol made for the fridge.

‘Got any water in there? Think it’s probably time to give the booze a rest if we’re going to be in any fit state to sing again tomorrow night.’

Suzie nodded, an over-large mouthful of gyros making it impossible to speak.

Carol pulled out three small bottles of water and put one in front of each of them.

‘Here you go.’

Both Suzie and Teresa gave a thumbs-up, too busy eating to waste time talking.

With the gyros demolished, and the thought of the final performance ahead weighing on her mind, Suzie stood up and hugged each one of them in turn.

‘Thanks for tonight. I’ve had a lovely time, and I hope you have too.’

Teresa linked arms with Carol.

‘We certainly have. And I’m serious about coming to visit you on your island one day.’

Carol nodded her agreement.

‘Me too. And now, we’d better all get some sleep. See you on the other side after the show. Then we can really let our hair down and par … ty.’

‘Amen to that. See you both tomorrow.’

Suzie threw the gyros wrappers away and stacked the empty bottles ready for the cleaner in the morning before messaging the car service, and was told her lift would be five minutes.

Gathering up her coat and bag and dreaming of a hot bath, she went to switch off the lights and almost ran slap bang into Frank, who’d appeared from nowhere as usual. He moved past her into the room.

‘Is your party over?’

He said it as if there could possibly be people hiding in the wardrobe.

‘Hardly a party, Frank. Just a couple of old friends having a chat.’

‘Good. I was waiting to get you on your own.’

The way he said it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

‘Really? Why?’

‘Two reasons.’