Page 40 of The Only Way Is Up

‘I think she likes her tennis players a little more professional,’ said Tom, knowing it was a cheap dig but not being able to help himself. He wished he had half of Marcus’s confidence and all of his six pack.

‘I know it’s hard for you to get your head around the idea that a woman might not want to shag you,’ said Justin, his voice laced with fake concern.

‘I honestly don’t think it’s ever happened before,’ replied Marcus, his brow furrowed in confusion. ‘Even the faithful ones soak up the attention.’

Tom laughed into his murky bowl of pork. ‘Yeah, I’m sure attention is something Daisy’s really desperate for right now.’

‘Still, maybe I’m losing my touch.’ Marcus’s eyes darted in all directions as he processed this worrying possibility.

‘Have you never thought about settling down?’ asked Tom. ‘What are you, thirty-four?’

Marcus looked mildly affronted. ‘Not until March. And, yes, I have, actually. I’m thinking about it right now. The Glorious Gloria.’

‘Is she the one from the tennis club?’ asked Justin.

‘Yeah,’ Marcus grinned. ‘Captain of the ladies’ team. Used to be married to Phil, the Club Treasurer.’

‘Isn’t that all a bit awkward?’ asked Tom, marvelling at the ease with which Marcus navigated the relationship trenches.

‘He’s left for another club.’ Marcus smirked. ‘Gloria sent a message to a friend on Facebook saying Phil should change his name because he couldn’t fill a tickbox, let alone a woman. But she accidentally posted it on the main club page instead.’

Justin honked with laughter. ‘And you think she’s the woman for you.’

‘Maybe,’ said Marcus with a shrug. ‘She’s dynamite in bed, is financially independent and thinks I have boyfriend potential.’

‘So, what’s stopping you?’ asked Tom, trying not to let his mind drift to Daisy and Tessa, who somehow didn’t cohabit well in his brain.

‘Not sure,’ said Marcus blankly. ‘I guess part of me was holding out for Daisy.’

Justin shook his head. ‘Yeah, I’m not so sure.’

Marcus grinned. ‘Do I look like a man who gives in that easily?’

‘Sadly not,’ said Justin, glumly chewing another forkful of pork.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

‘Mum!’ Ruby was standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips, looking very much like her father. ‘We’re starving. Can we get some dinner?’

Daisy glanced at her watch, then at the half-empty wine bottle, then at Melanie, who had tears rolling down her face at a story Daisy had just been telling about Dermot O’Leary and a static caravan.

‘Oh crap, I’m sorry.’ She just about suppressed a hiccup as Ruby’s eyes narrowed. ‘We lost track of time. Let’s go up to Eva’s. We can show Melanie the town.’

‘That will take about six minutes,’ said Ruby, rolling her eyes at Will. ‘It’s just one road. No nightclubs, no bars that are open late. How are we supposed to have fun?’

‘You’re both too young for nightclubs and bars,’ Daisy commented. ‘But when you’re eighteen you can pay for your own skiing holidays and go to places with as many nightclubs as you like.’

Ruby looked alarmed and started back-pedalling. ‘It’s fine, I like it here. Can I have a cocktail with dinner? As a birthday treat?’

Daisy pursed her lips, ‘Hmm. We’ll see.’

Melanie wobbled off to the bathroom as Will and Ruby pulled their winter gear back on and bundled out into the snow. Daisy glanced at her phone, but there were no more messages from Tom. She kicked herself for wanting to hear from him, but the thought of his body pressed against hers gave her a fizzy feeling in the pit of her stomach that had nothing to do with wine.

‘I just need to grab my bag,’ said Melanie. ‘I’ll be two minutes.’ Daisy quickly opened WhatsApp and tapped out a message before she changed her mind.

Just off for dinner and a play in the snow.

The grey ticks went blue within seconds, and Daisy realised she was holding her breath.