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Be realistic, mate, these guys go back to uni. But it still needled him.
“Poll’s got great taste,” Carts said.
Solo focused on the psychedelic purple and pink patterns in the shirt. “This one’s a bit busy. I’d go for the first one. More sophisticated.”
“But which would impress you more? You know, if you were a woman?”
Solo felt his lips hitch. “I don’t know, mate. Women are a complete mystery to me.”
Carts sighed. “Okay I’ll go for the first one. Or maybe I’ll text Polly and ask her. What do you reckon?”
“Yeah,” said Solo, slamming the last packet of chips onto the bench. “Don’t trust my opinion. Ask Polly.”
* * *
Polly metJudith at the end of Carts’ street at 8.30 p.m. sharp.
Judith was wearing a flowing cornflower-blue dress dotted with little yellow flowers. She’d clearly been to the hairdresser. Her long hair hung in perfectly styled waves, bronzer highlighted her cheekbones and her lips were a perky candy pink.
“Wow, you look a million dollars,” Polly enthused.
“Thanks.” Judith gave her a quick hug. “I am soooo nervous.”
Polly stepped back. “You’re crushing badly, aren’t you?”
Judith bit her lip and gave a little nod. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to me. You know my antennae for these things.”
They started walking.
“Talking of antennae, my underdeveloped one has been sensing something,” Judith said. “Are you and Solo dating?”
Polly laughed too loudly. “God no.”
Judith glanced at her sideways and shifted a wave of blonde away from her face.
The blotchiness marched its way up from her cleavage. “We’re just having a bit of fun, that’s all.”
Judith gave a little nudge with her elbow. “Are you sure it’s only fun?”
“Why would it be anything else?”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you.” Polly said nothing, the heat intensifying into her neck, sneaking over her chin. “And the way you look back,” Judith finished.
Polly let out a snort.
“No, I have, Poll, you go all misty eyed. I’ve seen it across ward round, in the tearoom, when you’re—”
Her cheeks must now resemble a Californian sunset. “Okay, okay. Enough, I don’t do serious, you know that.”
“Oh, shame,” Jude sighed. “Maybe one day you’ll realise falling in love is worth it.”
Polly chuckled. “I can’t believe you, of all people, are saying that right now.”
“I’m not a cynic like you.”
Polly blinked. “I’m not a cynic.” Doubt lodged in the back of her throat. “Am I?”
