Page 83 of Be More Lucy

‘I love the way you bring everything around to sex,’ he laughed.

‘I don’t know what you mean. It’s that filthy mind of yours. When will you know?’

‘Hopefully, we can get it all signed and sealed in the next few weeks.’

‘You could be home that quickly? No more flying backwards and forwards to Spain?’

‘No more 3000-mile round trip every weekend.’

That would be amazing. She loved being with Mark, but the journey was tedious. But there was one thing she needed to clarify. ‘Where are you going to live?’

‘I haven’t worked that out yet. Do you know anyone who’s got room for me?’ He looked at her expectantly.

She pretended to think. ‘I might do. There’s space in my flat. Well, there isn’t, but I’m sure I could squeeze you in.’

‘Or we could get somewhere bigger?’ He was serious about living together then.

‘What would you do for a job? I can’t keep the two of us.’

‘The sensible thing would be to re-register as a solicitor. I’ve checked the process. It shouldn’t take long. And I’ve still got a few contacts. I’ve already sounded one of them out. I should be able to get a job in Birmingham.’

‘But is that what you really want? I thought you didn’t enjoy office life. I want you to be happy.’

‘I could get some locum work to try it out again. Or I could get into property development. I was planning to do it here. No reason I couldn’t do it in Birmingham.’

‘Are you absolutely sure? Swapping all this for living in the middle of a busy city?’

‘Yes. Home is where the heart is. And my heart is with you.’

Mark left after breakfast to sort out the jetskis for the day. Lucy went outside on the terrace. It was warm for late October but not warm enough for a bikini. She went back inside to put on her shorts and t-shirt, then headed out again to lay on the sun lounger by the pool. She wanted to make the most of the Spanish sunshine before Mark sold up and moved to Birmingham.

She’d brought a book with her, but she couldn’t concentrate on reading. Her inner voice insisted on haranguing her about how stupid she was to agree to move in with Mark so soon. But it felt right. What was so wrong with wanting to see him more often? He could cook, he didn’t snore, he made her laugh and feel wanted, he respected her, and he was a generous lover. Why wouldn’t she want to spend as much time with him as possible?

She needed to speak to Em. Not that Em would discourage her. She’d not exactly been subtle with her matchmaking as far as getting Lucy and Mark together was concerned. But explaining what was going through her mind to someone else usually made Lucy see things more clearly.

She FaceTimed Em. Come on, pick up. It didn’t usually take her this long to answer.

Just as she was about to give up, Em’s face appeared on the screen. ‘You pick your moments.’

‘What do you mean?’

Em waved a toilet brush in front of the camera.

‘Eugh!’

‘You did ask.’

‘Sorry, I forgot you’d be in the middle of a changeover.’

‘Lavender Cottage had a particularly feral family in it this week. Two under fours and a shaggy dog that looked more like a small horse. They’ve brought half the beach back to the cottage. It’s taking me twice as long as usual to get it clean.’ Em sighed.

‘I can phone back later?’

‘No, I could do with a break. Your location looks more bougie than mine! Is that a palm tree?’

‘Two, actually.’ Lucy turned the phone around to show Em the garden and the view of the Mediterranean.

‘Not too shabby. Do you want to see my view?’

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