Page 53 of It Was Always You

He bit his lip to stifle the laugh trying to erupt. ‘No, no, not yet. We’ve only just arrived. Don’t worry about it.’

Lily was clearly enjoying his discomfort. ‘So back to mine for a take-away then, eh?’ She would pay later.

Pulling his eyes into a frown in a bid to appear serious he replied, ‘Oh yes, that would be a good idea. Yes, you’d better give them a call about that.’

Milly’s expression showed concern.

‘Right, I’m on it like a car bonnet, Adders. Indian or Chinese?’ Lily asked.

He didn’t really care what they would be eating. He just wanted to leave. ‘Oh, I think maybe the first option would be the more acceptable.’

Lily was still laughing. ‘Okay, I’ll order your usual. See you in ten.’

‘Yes, yes, ten is good. See you soon. Take care,’ he said, mustering up as much sincere concern as he could.

He was about to hang up when Lily stopped him. ‘Oh and Adders?’

He held his hand up in apology to his date and responded to Lily. ‘Yes? Yes?’

After a brief pause Lily snorted long and loud down the line into his ear. He burst out laughing and covered his mouth, disguising his hysteria as a cough, and hung up.

Milly sidled over and patted his back. ‘Oh, Adam, are you okay? Should I get you a drink?’

He shook his head. Once he had composed himself, he sat up straight. ‘I’m so very sorry, but that was my… erm… sister. She’s… erm… broken down and I have to go help. She’s… erm… going to ring her insurance company, but I need to go and… well, you know… help out.’ He was a terrible liar. He knew that his story was full of holes, but thankfully Milly was clearly quite oblivious as she patted his knee.

‘Oh no, that’s terrible. You should go. Family is clearly very important to you. We can do this another time.’

Guilt needled at him, but it was brief.

They said their goodbyes and he took her number, feeling yet another twinge of guilt as he knew there was no way on earth he was likely to call her.

Ever.

He got into his car and drove over to Lily’s.

Adam leaned on the doorframe, suddenly feeling drained, and pressed the doorbell.

Lily opened the door and burst out laughing at him.

He scowled. ‘Shut up, you cow.’ He shoved past her in a major strop.

‘Oh, come on, Adders. It can’t have been that bad.’

‘Oh yes, it bloody can. Honestly, Lil. She snorted after every sentence. I swear at one point I expected her to tell me she lived in a house made of sticks!’

Lily held her stomach as she laughed. ‘That’s so funny!’

He slumped onto the sofa. ‘Funny for you.’ He sniggered, suddenly allowing himself to see the funny side. ‘Oh God, Lil, don’t do that to me again, eh?’

She plopped down beside him and smacked his leg. ‘It won’t be like that every time though. Whether it’s from the website or anywhere else, eventually you’ll have to give someone a chance, you know?’

His humour faded and he turned towards her. ‘Lil, why are you so hell-bent on matchmaking for me?’ He caught her eyes in his gaze, and something appeared to crackle in the air between them. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again.

After what felt like an eternity she jumped up. ‘Ooh, I bought wine! You can sleep in the spare room if you like,’ she called as she skipped off to the kitchen.

After their take-away had been delivered and they had eaten their fill, they sat in silence drinking red wine. They had already sunk two bottles, and Lily had bought a third. Adam knew he would feel shocking in the morning. But he was a big boy… he’d cope.

Feeling emboldened by the imbibed alcohol, Adam decided to ask the million-dollar question. ‘So, Lil, have you ever actually been in love?’