Page 76 of Love Me Till Wednesday

‘We spent ages catching up. Then we watched a film and we nodded off.’

Jules chuckled. ‘Oh yeah!’

‘On the sofa!’ Lisa emphasised. ‘We lost track of time, that’s all. He’s so easy to talk to.’ Like a soulmate.No, don’t think like that!

‘But there’s no spark any more?’

Lisa hesitated, remembering their parting kiss. ‘There is. And I think he feels the same way.’

‘But that’s fantastic. What’s the problem?’

‘He’s worked his way through so many women, I don’t want to risk getting hurt.’

Jules looked thoughtful. ‘Sometimes you have to take the risk, or you spend the rest of your life wondering what might have been.’

‘That sounds like you’re speaking from personal experience.’

Jules stared into her tea and started slowly turning her mug around. ‘There was someone once. I thought he was a risk, so I settled for dependable Martin.’

‘But you and Martin are ok, aren’t you?’

‘I love Martin. We’re good together. And I’m grateful for all this and the boys, but sometimes I wonder what might have been. Anyway, we’re here to sort out your love life, not mine. What have you got to lose if you and Nick get together?’

That was easy to answer. ‘My independence.’

‘Is he the controlling type then?’

‘He never used to be, and I don’t think he is now. But I’ve got used to being on my own.’

‘And you’ll be happy being alone for the rest of your life?’

A good question. ‘No. I’d love somebody by my side, fighting in my corner, someone to enjoy life with. It’s just the whole dating thing that’s been putting me off.’

‘But you already know Nick. It wouldn’t be like dating a stranger. Are you saying he wouldn’t look out for you?’

‘No. He used to be really good at that. That’s how we got together originally.’

‘So you’re attracted to him. He’s attracted to you. You can talk to one another for hours. He’s got your back. He’s loaded, so he won’t be leeching off you, and, let’s face it, he’s still drop-dead gorgeous. Where are you going to find someone better?’

Jules had a point. ‘I’m not, am I? But what if I’m imagining it all?’

‘When are you seeing him next?’

‘Tomorrow. He’s coming round for Sunday lunch.’

‘Perfect. You’ll see how he behaves with the rest of your family. You’ll soon work out where you stand.’

37

Brad parked the Range Rover outside No 39.

‘You seem on edge,’ he said as Nick undid the seatbelt.

‘I’m just about to play the most important part in my life,’ Nick replied. This felt worse than waiting to go on stage to a packed Broadway theatre on an opening night. He’d been worrying about it ever since he’d made the soulmate gaffe with Lisa yesterday.

Come on, Nixon. You usually charm everyone you meet.But today, the stakes were high. Screwing up this encounter would be a disaster. He might have won Jim over, but now he was about to meet the rest of Lisa’s family, including Jim’s fiancée and their children. His grandchildren. He let that sink in. And then there was working out where he stood with Lisa.

Nick walked up the steps to the dark blue front door and pressed the doorbell. He heard light footsteps quickly running on the wooden floor, followed by slower, more purposeful ones. Jim opened the door with a curly-haired child clinging to his leg. The little girl grinned at Nick, half hiding behind Jim’s leg.

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