Page 73 of Love Me Till Wednesday

A pity but he didn’t want to rush things. ‘OK. I’ll text Brad.’

‘Don’t you give that poor man any time off? I’ll get a taxi.’

‘After all the fuss online yesterday?’

‘A black cab will be fine. I’ve not got far to go.’

‘If you’re sure.’

‘Yes, I’m 100% sure.’

She got up and stretched. ‘They don’t warn you that when you turn 50, everything starts aching, do they,’ she said.

‘Let me know if you need anything rubbing,’ he said.

She smiled at him. ‘It’s been a lovely evening. Thank you.’ She gave him a chaste peck on the cheek.

‘My pleasure.’ He stood up and put his hand on her waist.

They gazed into one another’s eyes for a moment. She looked like she wanted him to kiss her, but he wasn’t absolutely sure.Don’t mess this up, Nixon.

‘Can I kiss you properly?’ she asked.

He didn’t need any further encouragement. He leaned in and brushed his lips gently onto hers. And then they were suddenly kissing like it was the last time either of them would kiss anyone ever again.

It felt so good, he didn’t want it to end, but she pulled away.

‘I have to go,’ she whispered. ‘I’ll see you on Sunday.’

Before he could reply, she was gone.

36

Lisa didn’t wake up until 11 am. The lack of sleep yesterday had finally caught up with her. She had a shower, pulled on her running gear, and went downstairs to the kitchen.

There was a note from Elise attached to the fridge with a magnet. ‘Used the last of the milk. Sorry! At Jordan’s. Back for Sunday dinner. Xx’

Lisa wasn’t going to get through the day without tea. She grabbed her phone and headed out the back door, down the garden and into the alley. It would only take a few minutes to get to the supermarket if she ran.

As she turned into the next street she felt like someone was looking at her. She spun round to see a middle-aged man on the opposite pavement, staring at her oddly. Had she accidentally ventured out in Greg’s Crocs again? She checked. No. She was definitely wearing her trainers. She looked normal. She was a little rough around the edges, maybe, with no makeup and her hair tied up in a messy bun but fully clothed. The man was holding his phone up now. Was he videoing her? Cheeky bastard. ‘Oi! What’s your problem?’ she yelled.

‘It’s a free country,’ he yelled back. ‘I can do what I like.’

Technically, he was right, but it was still intrusive. Sod that. Lisa darted down the back alley of the houses on the nextstreet to get out of sight of Mr Amateur Paparazzo. After a few seconds, she risked a glance behind her. There was no sign of him. She ran along the rest of the alley until she emerged onto the high street.

She checked behind her again. He hadn’t followed her, thank God. The pavement was filled with Saturday morning shoppers. It was too busy to run, so Lisa settled into a walk, enjoying the feel of the summer sunshine on her face.

As she paused to cross a side street, she noticed two women walking towards her. One nudged the other. They began whispering and staring at her. She gave them a fixed smile and waved. They quickly looked away and scurried past. At least, they hadn’t been as brazen as the first guy.

What a weird morning. The downside of being on television last night, she supposed.

Her phone started ringing as she walked into the supermarket. Jim’s name appeared on the screen.

‘Hi, darling’ she said.

‘Just checking you’re ok?’

‘Apart from being stared at by all and sundry,’ she said loudly for the benefit of another woman who kept surreptitiously glancing up at her over the top of the fruit and veg section.

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