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“Doesn’t seem to be, not from the bit I’ve heard. He’s got a job. Agoodjob. A warehouse manager apparently. Divorced, two adult children, likes hiking and snooker and foreign travel.”
“Ideal step-daddy material.”
“Steady on,” I grinned. “And get this, he’s teetotal. Doesn’t drink a drop.”
“Well, that is good news, surely?”
“I can hope. She seems really happy. He doesn’t want to move in yet or anything, happy in his own place. They met at bingo, when Auntie Syl dragged Mum a few weeks back. He was there with a neighbour, keeping her company. It went from there.”
James raised his glass, leaning forward across the table until it clinked into mine. “Well, that does sound promising. Here’s to Mr Bingo, and all the happiness love can bring.”
“To Mr Bingo,” I smiled. “And tous, James, to our beautiful, screwed-upthing.”
“I note you didn’t use the word relationship.”
“Would you want me to?” I asked, eyes hard on his.
“I’ll let you know when I know.” He winked at me, and it set my stomach into a dither. “Sensible James is ironing a few things out, give him a chance to get his bearings.”
“He can take his time.” I reached across the table for his hand, and he didn’t pull away. “Thingwill do just fine for the moment.”
“To ourthing, Lydia,” he toasted afresh.
“To ourthing,James.”
Except it wasn’t just a thing to me. Not at all.
***
In the shadowy alleyway across from Explicit, James Clarke transformed to Masque. He’d slicked back his hair before we’d left the restaurant, transformation phase one complete, now it was just the mask. I smiled as he fixed it on, heart fluttering at the promise of what lay ahead. Unlike usual, Masque wasn’t dressed in low-slung jeans. Masque was dressed to perfection in a fitted black suit, hugging his frame in all the right places. He took my hand unprompted as we crossed the road.
“I’ve never arrived here with anyone, Cat, not since Rachel.”
I smiled up at him. “Well, then I’m honoured, Masque.”
“Your half of the bargain now,” he whispered as we made our way up to the main floor.
“You really want me to do this?” I shot him an expression full of squick, and he smiled at me.
“It will surprise you, Cat, I promise. You’ll enjoy it.”
The lights on stage started up as we sipped our drinks, but this time Masque didn’t move us. I watched the shadows play out, a woman’s scream cutting loud across the music. I leant into the man at my side, breathing in the hot musk of his neck. “One day I want you to take me up there,” I said. “Like you did, Violet.”
“You want me to gape your cunt in front of an audience? You really are coming along, Cat, I’m impressed.”
“I want you to cane me up there,” I said. “I’m not sure about the gape thing.”
“Last week didn’t put you off all that much, then?” he grinned. “I am glad. The cane’s a favourite of mine.”
“You took your mask off for me,” I whispered. “I won’t forget that.” I slid my hand along the hard ridge of his thigh.
“I won’t be making a habit of it.”
“Even so, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Cat.” He tipped my wine glass as I was drinking, forcing me to glug it all right down.
“Trying to get me drunk?”
