Page 30 of Not in a Million Years

‘Multi-skilled or what?’ Then I added, almost thinking out loud, ‘He must be with Ash. He’d never go to some eco retreat thing like that on his own.’

‘Maybe. I guess we’ll soon find out.’

‘And Ash must be pretty special to him,’ I went on. ‘I can’t actually remember the last time Andy was serious enough about anyone to spend more than a few nights with them, never mind travel halfway across Europe for them.’

‘I could say the same about you.’ Daniel wasn’t smiling any more – his face was serious.

‘What? What do you mean?’

Before he could reply, the waiter appeared with plates of food. There was salad made with ripe tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese and olives. There was a basket of pillowy bread and bowls of hummus and taramasalata to dip it in. There was a vast platter of huge prawns with rice, fried potatoes and gauze-wrapped lemon halves.

‘I don’t think we ordered enough food,’ Daniel joked, tearing a piece of bread and scooping up some dip.

‘Yes, we’ll starve for sure.’ I speared an olive and ate it, then filled up our wine. ‘What were you saying, just now? About me?’

Daniel shrugged. ‘Just that you’ve been single for ages too. Same as Andy. No one serious in your life.’

I felt my face flame and reassured myself with the knowledge that there was no way he’d notice, thanks to the sunburn.

‘Yeah, poor me. I lie alone every night thinking about getting old and shrivelled and then no man will ever want me, because what other purpose in life could I possibly have?’

‘I didn’t mean that. God, Kate, you don’t have to be so defensive.’

‘I’m not being defensive. Am I not allowed to question the idea that because I’m not half of a couple I’m somehow failing at life?’

‘And I didn’t say that, either.’

‘I’ll have you know there are plenty of men in my life, anyway. I’m dating a guy I met at my last job. He’s called Claude. He’s French. Lives in Chelsea.’

‘That’s what I’ve always admired about you, Kate. You’re not one bit shallow.’

‘And you’re not one bit funny,’ I retorted. ‘He’s also highly intelligent, successful and does triathlons for charity.’

Daniel peeled a prawn and ate it, then presented the head to a passing cat, which immediately stationed itself under his chair, hoping for more. Seconds later, three of its friends joined it.

‘Wow. Sounds like a lovely guy. How long have you been seeing him?’

I gave the cats a prawn head, too, mostly so I could briefly hide my face behind the tablecloth. I felt like I’d walked into a trap.

‘Umm, not long.’

‘How long’s not long? I mean, tell me to butt out if you want. I’m just making conversation.’

Which meant I now couldn’t tell him to butt out without making it sound as if I didn’t want to have a conversation.

‘Like, a week. Only since I left my last job. But I’ve known him a while, because we worked together.’

‘And how many dates? Two? Three? Just curious to know how fast the guy moves.’

‘Only one. If you must know.’

‘And how did it go? What did you do? I’m thinking coffee, bowling, movie?’

‘We’re not fifteen, you know. Actually, he took me on a hot-air balloon ride.’

Daniel’s mouth twitched. ‘Really? Bet that went down like a bucket of cold sick.’

I couldn’t help laughing. ‘It wasn’t the best call ever, I’m not going to lie. But it’s not his fault I can’t stand heights. When I get back after… after this, I’ll probably see him again and hopefully that won’t be some death-defying extreme sport.’

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