Page 26 of Be More Lucy

‘I don’t believe in messing around, unlike half the men online, it would seem.’

‘Women are just as bad.’

‘What made you swipe right on yours?’

‘She had a nice smile. Just my type. Slim, brunette.’

‘Not her interests, amazing qualifications and her high-powered career?’

‘I’ve given up selecting on that basis. They exaggerate it all anyway.’

He was right. Lucy had pretty much given up on selecting on anything other than looks as well. ‘They invent everything,’ she said. ‘What’s the worst lie you’ve been told?’

He appeared to be mulling over her question. ‘I went out with someone who claimed she ran her own chain of hairdressers across the West Midlands. It turned out she’d got one mobile salon in a battered old caravan, which I suppose could move anywhere in the West Midlands if you’re being pedantic. How about you?’

‘The guy who claimed to be a 35-year-old gym instructor, which was probably true in the 1980s. He turned up here looking ready to claim his old age pension and walking with a severe limp.’

‘So you’d prefer someone with a full set of working limbs, then?’

‘Not necessarily. I once dated an ex-soldier who’d lost his lower left leg in Afghanistan. But he was honest about that at the start. We had a very enjoyable time until he decided to go back to his ex-girlfriend in Germany.”

‘What had she got that you hadn’t?’

‘His spare leg.’

He was chuckling now. ‘Are you making this up?’

‘Sadly, I’m not.’

‘So how about that coffee then? I can tell you all about the rest of my failed dates. But I warn you, I don’t think they’re are as entertaining as yours.’

‘Ok, then. A regular skinny latte, please.’

‘You look like someone who prefers a large one.’

Was that an attempt at double entendre? Judging by his cheeky grin, it was. Lucy shook her head. If he turned out to be a bore, a large latte might take too long to drink. ‘I’m fine with a regular - quality, not quantity.’

He moved the spare chair back to Lucy’s table. ‘I’m Josh, by the way.’

‘Nice to meet you, Josh. I’m Lucy.’

‘Don’t run away, Lucy.’ He made an obvious look at her legs under the table.

‘I’m not in a rush,’ she said, admiring Josh’s rather cute backside as he headed towards the counter.

16

Jack had promised to treat Em to dinner at the Fisherman’s Arms in the village. Now would be a good time to follow up on her conversation with Nancy that morning. He was often more talkative about awkward topics when they were walking side by side.

‘Did you enjoy your wedding?’ Em asked.

‘No. I’ve tried to wipe it from my memory.’

‘Nancy told me all about it.’

‘Good, that saves me from reliving it.’ He didn’t sound like he wanted to discuss it further.

Em decided to focus on the future. ‘What type of wedding do you want this time?’

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