Page 21 of Five Things I Love About You

‘Away?’ He twirled pasta on his fork, his forehead more lined than ever in the late-evening sunshine.

I swallowed again and attempted to look confident. ‘I’m going to live in Newcastle for a bit.’

He tipped his head to one side and studied me more closely.

‘Newcastle? For work?’

I shook my head. ‘I just…’ I trailed off, the confidence seeping from me like water from a leaking pipe.

I was about to mumble something about wanting a change when his eyes had lit up. ‘Oh, you’ve met someone, haven’t you?’

I wasn’t sure how I felt about the fact he seemed so happy about it. But then I guess it had been a long time since we’d meant anything romantic to each other – and let’s face it, I hadn’t had anyone serious in my life since. Maybe he genuinely was just happy for me.

‘I… sort of.’ Oh God, this was excruciating.

‘Ooh, tell us more!’ Josie said.

‘I…’ I put my fork down and picked up my wine. ‘There’s not much to tell. He’s called Jay, and he lives in Newcastle.’ Even saying those words out loud made me feel like a fraud, as if I was claiming to know him.

‘How exciting,’ Josie said, her eyes shining. ‘How did you meet him? Online?’

‘Yes,’ I said. The easiest explanation.

‘And have you met him yet? You know, in real life?’

‘Yes… well, no.’ God’s sake, Miranda, pull yourself together. ‘We met once, but it’s about more than that,’ I said. ‘I just feel like it’s a good time to try something different. Try and work out what I want in life.’

‘Well, it sounds very romantic,’ Josie said, sighing.

Before I could correct her, Nick spoke. ‘But what about work? And what are you doing about the house?’

Damn him and his concern. Why couldn’t he be more like other ex-husbands and not care a jot what I did?

‘I’ve got some supply work lined up until the summer, and I’m renting the house out for a few months,’ I said. ‘It’s nothing to worry about, honestly. I have thought this through.’

Nick didn’t say anything else, and we spent the rest of the evening chatting about the kids, and work. But as I went to leave, Nick followed me to the door.

‘Are you really okay, Mazza?’ he said.

‘Course I am. Why?’

‘You just seem… I don’t know. A bit frantic. Like you haven’t slept properly for a while.’ He studied me for a second, then shook his head. ‘I just feel as though there’s something you’re not telling me.’

I shook my head, suddenly desperate to get out of there.

‘Honestly, Nick, I’m fine, I swear. The kids are on the other side of the world, I’m eternally single, and my job’s gone up the swanny. I just fancied a change. And this seemed like the ideal opportunity to do something different. You know, kill two birds with one stone.’

‘And this guy, Jay. You’re not pinning all your hopes on him, are you?’

‘No, I’m not. I promise.’ I lay my hand on his arm. ‘But thank you for caring.’

‘I’ll always care about you,’ he said. ‘I just want you to be happy, Maz.’

‘I know.’ I hitched my bag onto my shoulder. ‘Anyway, I’d best be off. Please thank Josie for dinner.’

Then I’d let myself out and hurried down the road, not daring to look behind to see whether Nick was watching me.

8

---