Page 15 of Love Me Till Wednesday

When she emerged from the shower five minutes later, Pete was fully clothed and sitting on the end of the bed. ‘I don’t know what to do,’ he said. ‘You won’t tell anyone else about Andy, will you?’

‘No, I won’t. That’s up to you. But if you’re not ready to come out, we need a cover story for why we’re splitting up.’

‘I suppose we could say being a couple and working together was too much, so we’re going back to just working together.’

Nick woke up in bed alone. He rubbed his hands through his hair. He hadn’t drunk much last night, but he had a headache. It must be a lack of sleep, though not in quite the way he’d planned after that kiss in the cinema. Lisa was something else. He smiled to himself.

He headed out onto the landing. There was no sign of her in the bathroom or downstairs either.

Disappointing, but what did he expect? It was naive to expect her to stay for breakfast. She was used to luxury hotels, not this run-down Victorian terrace that shook every time a train went past the end of the backyard. As if on queue, the 7.30 am to West Ruislip rumbled by.

He hadn’t intended to ask her back to his crappy house share. Not that he was opposed to a one-night stand, but there was something about her that was different, and it wasn’t her terrible taste in socks or that she was a famous singer. He’d met celebrities before - some barely acknowledged his existence, others were polite. But Lisa had listened to him and seemed genuinely interested in what made him tick.

And then there was that kiss. He’d kissed loads of girls, but her soft lips on his had set his whole body on fire. After he’d rescued her from that incident with her manager, he’dplanned to take it steady, but after they started making out in the cinema, it was obvious there was no way either of them wanted to settle for anything less. Until she’d thrown up, that is.

He put the kettle on and stood looking out into the backyard, replaying last night in his head. He remembered when he’d first seen her on the balcony, the fading light in the sky making a halo around her deep red hair. He’d recognised her immediately. She was shorter in real life than she appeared when he’d seen her on television but no less striking. And when she’d smiled at him, it had made him catch his breath.

Come on, Nixon. Don’t give up that easily. She’s worth seeing again.

Lisa had said something about being in the studio later. Did that mean today or tomorrow? Not that it mattered because he had no idea which studio. It would be simpler to go back to the hotel and leave a note on Reception for her to collect when she checked out. He better get a move on.

He grabbed a pen and a sheet of his housemate Jenny’s flowery shopping list paper from the notice board in the kitchen. Not exactly perfect but it would have to do. Better than last night’s chip paper that someone had abandoned on the work surface. Grease stains didn’t exactly fit the occasion.

He got dressed and headed towards the underground station around the corner. Fate must be on his side as he heard the rattle of an approaching train as soon as he walked onto the platform. Grabbing a seat, he composed the note on his knee as the carriage creaked and groaned its way to Kensington. Nothing gushy – he sensed Lisa wouldn't appreciate that.

Can I see you again? Call me on this number at 6 pm tonight if you fancy another drink together.

He added the number of the phone box at the end of his street and signed his name. He hesitated for a moment before adding a couple of kisses. Then he folded the note and tucked it in on itself so no one could casually read it.

Five minutes later, Nick emerged from the tube station and started to walk the short distance up the side street to the hotel. As he turned the corner, a woman walked out of the main hotel entrance. Lisa. He was going to be too late. He was about to break into a run when he noticed a tall, dark-haired man following her. The keyboard player in her band. Nick heard Pete call, ‘Back to ours then?’ before putting his hand proprietorially on Lisa’s waist as the doorman held open the door to a black cab.

You bloody fool, Nixon. Did you really think she was interested in you?He scrunched up the note in his pocket and quickly retraced his steps before they noticed him.

‘You did what?’

Lisa had turned up at Mel’s door two minutes ago, clutching her overnight bag. She still had a key to the flat, but it didn't feel right to just walk in.

‘I went home with a waiter’ Lisa said as she followed Mel into the kitchen.

‘Whose home?’ Mel asked.

‘His home. He lives not that far from here.’

‘But what about Pete?’

‘He had his hands full with a journalist.’

Mel put the kettle on and grabbed a couple of mugs from the cupboard. ‘Not that busty blonde one who was eyeing him up at the record label Christmas do?’

‘No, he wasn’t that busty.’ Lisa waited for the penny to drop.

Mel looked up from making the tea. ‘What do you mean he?’

‘Pete also bats for the other side, it would seem.’ Lisa still wasn’t sure how she’d missed that after knowing him since sixth form.

‘I always thought he could be gay,’ Mel said.

‘Seriously?? Why didn’t you say if you did?’ She didn’t like it when Mel adopted full-on “I told you so mode”.

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