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‘There’s still plenty of time. You’re not over the hill yet.’
‘No, but I’m quite near the top of the slope.’
That makes us both giggle.
‘Perhaps Dominic has a brother.’
‘He’s got more brothers than you can shake a stick at, but I think we’ll look for a new man for you closer to home.’ I raise one eyebrow and flick a nod towards Mike’s cottage.
Nina has the grace to blush.
‘Exactly what time did you leave Mr Perry’s home this morning, Mrs Dalton?’
She laughs. ‘That could have something to do with it. Seeing that there are actually nice people out there has made me more determined to leave. I don’t have to put up with Gerry’s crap any more.’ Resting her arms on the table, she sighs rather wistfully. ‘Mike is such a great bloke, isn’t he?’
‘I’ve been telling you that for years.’
Nina shrugs. ‘I’m going to take it easy. The last thing that I want to do is rush into another relationship, but I think there is something there.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it.’
Before I have chance to quiz her further, Dominic appears. He has a clean red robe on and he has shaved his head again, the ragged afro has all gone. He looks brighter, stronger, and much more like his usual self. ‘The smell of the cooking woke me up.’
‘Are you hungry?’
‘Yes. Very.’
‘Hello, Dominic,’ Nina says and, for once, she doesn’t shout at him like he’s an imbecile.
‘Hello. Jambo.’
‘Jambo,’ she echoes tentatively. My friend stands up and offers her hand to Dominic. ‘I want to apologise. I’m really, really sorry about what I said. It was me being a bitch. I didn’t mean it. I’m just so glad that you’ve come home safely.’
Dominic nods and then he takes her hand. ‘We should be brother and sister,’ he tells her earnestly. ‘You are Janie’s best friend and that is very important. That is just like family.’
‘I know,’ Nina says. ‘Janie and I go back a long way. I don’t want anything to come between us.’
‘That is not my intention,’ Dominic assures her.
‘Friends?’ Nina offers.
‘Friends,’ he agrees. And I’m so happy to see that his wide grin is firmly back in place.
‘Do you want to try some bacon, Dominic?’
‘Yes, I would like that. I have eaten many different things on the street – sandwiches, McDonalds and Flamin’ Hot Monster Munch.’
‘Great British cuisine then,’ I laugh. ‘I’ll call Mike. I’ve put some extra bacon in. He won’t want to miss a party.’
Nina looks strangely sheepish. ‘He’s coming round in a minute anyway,’ she tells us. ‘He’s just in the shower.’
‘Oh? You didn’t go home at all?’ No wonder she dodged my question about the hour of her departure.
‘I spent the night there,’ she admits. Now a fierce blush stains her cheeks. ‘We shared a bottle or two of wine and then, well, it was so late. I just crashed out on his sofa.’
‘Is that all?’
She grins. ‘Of course. Mike was the perfect gentleman. What else would you expect from him?’
That’s true enough. I know that if they do want to start a relationship, Mike would only consider it if Nina has left Gerry completely.
We’re all sitting round the table eating breakfast and reading the newspapers, teasing Dominic about his starring role. I sigh with contentment. This is how Sundays should be. Nina and Mike seem very comfortable in each other’s company and I’m glad to see it. I really hope that they do get together permanently as it would be so lovely for us all to get along well together.It’s early in the afternoon when they leave, tottering off happily together back to Mike’s cottage again, and I slump onto the sofa. Pulling Dominic down next to me, we cuddle together.
‘Are we OK again?’ I ask.
‘Yes,’ he says sincerely. ‘I feel that my heart has settled, Just Janie. I will make my life here with you and eat Flamin’ Hot Monster Munch and become a sophisticated Western man.’
‘I want you to be exactly as you are and sod the rest of them. Who else would bring the exotic into my life?’
Dominic grins. He takes my hand and is serious again. ‘I would like to take some classes, Janie. I think, perhaps, I would like to work in a job that helps homeless people.’
‘We can arrange that, I’m sure. You can get access to college courses and a work permit as soon as we’re married. Will you feel more like you belong then?’
