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‘You can’t have an “ish” flat,’ Jen laughed.
‘Well, I do.’
Jen’s features narrowed as she studied Holly’s face. ‘Let me guess. A girl’s involved?’
‘I told you, I don’t want a relationship.’
‘Doesn’t mean someone isn’t waiting in London.’
How was this woman reading her like a book? Was she that predictable?
‘There was.’
‘Hah!’ Jen said with a genuine smile.
‘But not any more.’
‘Sorry.’ The smile fell and the blushed cheeks returned.
‘Nah, it’s fine. It happens. What about you?’
‘What do you mean?’ Jen topped her wine glass up and hovered the bottle above Holly’s. ‘More?’
‘Sure, why not? I mean, why don’t you date?’
‘Ah.’
‘You don’t have to answer, sorry.’
‘No, no. It’s cool. Same reason I hate London.’
‘I don’t follow.’
‘My ex fucked me over and moved to London.’
‘Ah.’
‘Ah indeed. It’s been three years, and to be honest, I quite like being alone.’
‘No one actually likes being alone.’
‘Well, I do.’
Just as things were thawing out she’d made it awkward again.Shit, come on, Holly.If they were going to spend four dates together she had to find something to keep conversation flowing. The new bottle of wine arrived, plus two cocktails they hadn’t ordered. God bless the conversational gods above.
‘From Annie,’ the waiter explained, seeing their confused faces. ‘Enjoy!’
‘What are these?’ Holly asked, examining the tall glass with a raspberry balanced on the rim. The drink was red but it wasn’t a martini she’d ever seen before; the liquid was almost ombre.
Jen looked equally perplexed. She twisted the glass in her hand, inspecting it from all angles. ‘A martini of sorts, but they’ve obviously added a twist.’ She thought for a moment, her eyes never leaving the glass apart from to have a sniff. ‘Pineapple juice, obviously. Chambord. Vodka, naturally. Maybe some champagne, going by the bubbles. But there’s something else. Can’t quite figure it out.’ She broke her stare, giving up on the puzzle and fixing her eyes on Holly’s. ‘Booze though, eh? Down the hatch.’ She held the glass high, waiting for Holly to join her.
Holly couldn’t help but smile as they clinked glasses. ‘To Lovefest.’
‘Nope. Hate the name, can’t bring myself to say it. To winning five thousand pounds.’
Holly nearly choked, laughing. ‘I know, right? Can you believe it? 5k.’
‘Barely. That’s a lot of money.’ Jen smiled, her shoulders relaxing as if the booze was loosening her. ‘So, when you’re not stealing parking spaces and shouting at the locals, what do you do?’
