Page 94 of Never Too Late to Date

‘And Christian?’

‘What about him?’

Suzie was aware her voice sounded defensive. Since her day out living the high life and the scare with Kostas, she’d avoided the man. Rationally, she knew the two things weren’t connected, but the superstitious side of her wasn’t keen to push it.

‘Have you seen him?’

‘No, just text messages.’

‘Right. Interesting. Are you scared you’re going to burst into flames if you go anywhere near him again?’

Suzie resented Vicky’s implication that she didn’t trust herself around Christian. Even if there was a tiny grain of truth in it.

‘Funny. And what about you? Roaming the woods with the hunky vet night after night. Aren’t you tempted by a bit of al fresco passion?’

Vicky spat some of her beer out onto her leg.

‘No way. We’re looking for a psychopath, not spending our time flirting.’

‘He does come across as incredibly serious. He’s more likely to want to talk to you about new suture techniques than take advantage of the moonlight.’

Vicky’s frown made Suzie smile.

‘That’s not fair. He can be good fun, honestly.’

‘Gotcha! Defending him to the hilt as usual.’

Vicky stuck her tongue out. Suzie grinned.

‘You’ll get stuck like that.’

‘That’s what my mother used to say.’

They both had to smile when Alex, dressed all in black, came into the bar.

Suzie nodded in his direction.

‘Your Milk Tray man is here.’

‘Now that is ageing you. No one in here will know who that is. Or care.’

‘No, true. I will admit the adverts were a little creepy. He’d basically break into places, wouldn’t he, leave a box of chocolates for “the lady” and then disappear off again.’

‘These days we’d call it stalking.’

In unison they spoke the advert’s tagline in deep, sexy voices.

‘And all because … the lady loves Milk Tray.’

By the time Alex reached them, they were collapsed in a heap on the bar. His bemused frown made them giggle even more.

‘What’s so funny?’

Vicky wiped her eyes with a serviette.

‘Nothing, honestly.’

‘Are you still up for coming out?’