Page 49 of The Honeymoon Affair

That was quick

According to the report it’s worth about €5 million

I couldn’t say

I knew it would have a high street value, but €5 million is an excellent haul.

You must be pleased

Thrilled

Well done

Thanks

Are you in the pub?

He knows us too well.

Yes. But leaving shortly

I’ll be going past. I might see you there

What the hell? I don’t actually type this, but I think it. Steve dumped me with weeks to go before our wedding, and now he’s saying he’ll meet me where I’m having a drink with my colleagues. Plus he called to my house without asking and scared the living daylights out of me. Then he kissed me. We’re over. He wanted it that way. So what’s he playing at?

I type quickly.

I’m leaving now sorry

How about seeing you at yours?

Am going out

Where?

None of your business!!!!!

Chill out, Izzy. I want to be friends, that’s all

When I told Natasha that Steve wanted to be friends, she said that an ex asking to be friends is like a kidnapper asking to keep in touch after they’ve released you. It made me laugh, but she’s right. He broke my heart, for heaven’s sake. But this is him all over. He only sees things from his point of view, which in my case seems to be: I didn’t want to marry you but I’m quite happy to go out with you. I’m not in love with you but I expect you to be there for me. The truth is that a few weeks ago I’d have been over the moon at hearing from him. Those first days at the White Sands I’d even been wondering how I might get back with him. But now . . . now I have other options.

I look at my phone again and click Charles’s message. It’s brief and to the point:

Will I see you later?

It’s probably too late to reply. When he didn’t hear back from me earlier, he’ll have found something else to do. Or perhaps he’s working on his book again and won’t welcome an interruption. Besides, certain as I am that I don’t want to see Steve, I’m not sure about Charles either. Although we had a fabulous time at the Shelbourne and an even more fabulous time at his gorgeous house, I’m really uncertain about where this is going. I love being with him, but he’s not the sort of person I’ve ever imagined dating, and I’m pretty sure he’d say the same about me. I wonder if he simply feels obliged to keep thanking me for helping him unlock his writer’s block.

I start to tap the keypad.

Sorry. Busy day at port. Couldn’t get back to you earlier. I’m free later if you are. X

As I press send, I wish I hadn’t added that bit about being free. It sounds a bit needy. I definitely don’t want to come across as needy.

I finish my non-alcoholic beer and tell the team I’m going home.

‘Stay for another,’ says Ken.

‘I’d love to, but I’ve got to go. Might have a hot date tonight.’

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