Page 58 of Love Me Till Wednesday

‘Sorry,’ she said. ‘It’s none of my business.’

‘Let’s just say I’ve realised she’s only interested in my bank balance and my contacts.’

The cafe was filling up now. One of the men at the table opposite kept looking across.

Nick whispered to Lisa. ‘I think we’ve been rumbled. Shall we go for a walk?’

Lisa looked at the rivulets of rain running down the cafe window. It wasn’t the best night for walking. ‘I only live a couple of streets away. Shall we go there?’

Nick grinned. ‘I’ve heard that line before.’

It broke the tension. Lisa blushed at the memory of the first time she’d invited him back to hers. ‘Your virtue’s safe with me this time.’

The rain became heavier as soon as they stepped outside the cafe. Lisa only had a hoodie. She’d soon get soaked.

‘Take my coat,’ Nick offered.

‘No. It’s not far. I’ll get changed when we get to mine.’ Lisa set off down the road. ‘You’ll recognise this street,’ she said as she turned left at the end.

She was right. He did remember it. The flat she used to share with Mel was on the top floor of number 22. ‘You didn’t move far, then,’ he said.

‘Why would I? We loved it around here.’

Was “we” referring to the two of them or to Mel and Lisa?

As they turned into Paradise Crescent, Lisa picked up the pace. ‘I’ll run ahead to get the door open.’

He recognised this street, too, with its mix of different styles of Victorian villas. Lisa walked through a gate and up a path to some steps leading to one of the largest houses in the row. He recognised it immediately. This was the one she’d always admired when they walked past it to go to the pub sometimes. It looked a lot more loved than it had then, but it had a SOLD board outside. He caught up with her as she fumbled in her pocket for her keys.

‘You bought your favourite house then?’

‘Yes, with the royalty cheque I finally received about four months after you left.’

‘But you’re moving?’ he asked.

‘I’ve lived here a long time. I need a fresh start now I’m on my own.’

So she was single again. He looked around while she selected the front door key. There was a man walking past who looked vaguely familiar, but he wasn’t sure why.

Lisa turned the key in the lock and opened the door. ‘Welcome to my humble abode.’

The large hallway she led him into wasn’t humble at all. It was dominated by a large pre-Raphaelite style painting in anornate frame contrasting with the modern, quirky half-moon table underneath. It looked like something designed by Salvador Dali. Lisa threw her keys into a bowl on the table. He recognised it as one he’d bought her all those years ago from Portobello Market. Seeing it took him straight back to that sunny afternoon when they’d gone for a stroll to get some fresh air after a fun morning in bed. Interesting that she’d kept it. Did it evoke the same memory for her?

‘Hang your coat up on the rack over the radiator and make yourself at home in the kitchen,’ she said, indicating a door at the end of the hall. ‘I’ll be back in two minutes.’

As Lisa ran upstairs, Nick took off his damp coat and then opened the door to reveal what an estate agent would describe as a spacious modern kitchen diner. With its large central island, long dining table and well-loved sofa with a television opposite, he guessed this was where she and her family spent most of their time. She’d managed to make it feel stylish and welcoming at the same time.

He made a beeline for the sofa and sank back into its soft cushions. He felt at home here. The jet lag was catching up with him. He risked shutting his eyes for a moment.

The sound of a door opening jolted him awake. Pete sauntered into the kitchen. He was rubbing his soaking wet hair with a towel. ‘Hello, mate. Fancy seeing you here.’

‘I was just thinking the same thing.’ Surely Lisa and Pete weren’t a couple again? She’d definitely said she was on her own a few minutes ago.

‘Do you want a coffee?’ Pete asked as he got a couple of mugs out of a wall cupboard. From the way he quickly found what he was looking for and deftly managed the coffee machine, it was obvious he lived here. Tonight had been full of surprises, and this was going on the list of less than welcome ones.

‘Are you ok?’ Pete asked.

Nick had obviously done a bad job of hiding his disappointment. ‘Sorry, just tired. That’s all.’

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