Page 26 of Love Me Till Wednesday

‘How ish?’

‘In a “he might only be 27” sort of way,’ Mel said tentatively.

‘That’s younger than Jim!’ Lisa couldn’t imagine getting naked with anyone that young. They wouldn’t be prepared for all your aches and pains, not to mention the saggy bits.

‘You did have Jim quite young.’ Mel was on the defensive.

‘Not that young. You’re still old enough to be Will’s mother.’

‘Age is just a number.’

‘And yours is a much bigger number than Will’s.’ It didn’t sound like a recipe for a long-term relationship. Please don’t let Mel get hurt again. It had taken her ages to get over her husband leaving her.

‘Will says he prefers older women. We’re less complicated.’ Mel had a dreamy look on her face as she sat down on the sofa.

‘That’s good then. I presume he wasn’t so athletic that you’ve still exhausted three days later.’

‘No. It has more to do with us spending most of the weekend in bed.’

Lisa laughed. ‘I couldn’t imagine doing that now. Twenty years ago, maybe, but it would probably trigger my sciatica now.

‘For god’s sake,you sound like my gran!’

‘But it’s true. Were you at your place or his?’ Lisa asked.

‘Mine. He’s living with his parents until he gets a permanent job.’

‘He sounds like a catch.’

‘You’re just jealous. Your bed’s been a barren wilderness as far as men are concerned for far too long.’

‘I’m perfectly happy, thank you. It has its advantages No more wrestling to keep my half of the duvet, or being serenaded to sleep by the sound of snoring.’

‘Yes, but three years without any male attention at all. How do you manage?’

Lisa raised her eyebrows. ‘We’ve had this conversation many times since Greg did a runner. I am happy as I am.’

Mel went back to the subject of Will. ‘I’m not planning on it being a long-term relationship. Just a bit of entertainment until the summer holidays. He’s planning a trip around Europe in the break.’

‘Perhaps he’ll ask you to come with him.’

‘I hope so.’

Mel looked like she was pondering what a trip round Europe with Will would be like. The pause in the conversation gave Lisa a chance to tell Mel her news. She broke it to her gently:

‘It’s a good job Will’s going to keep you busy as you won’t see much of me at weekends for a while.’

She had Mel’s full attention now. ‘Why? Who’s keeping you entertained?’

‘Pete.’

Mel nearly dropped the mug of tea Lisa had just handed her. ‘Pete Armstrong?’

‘Yep.’

‘You’re going back to Pete?’

‘Only in a songwriting sense. I’m going up to Keswick next weekend for our first session.’

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