Page 23 of Finding Love in Micklewick Bay

‘Wow! It’s fascinating stuff. I’m surprised there’s not a little museum about it,’ said Alex, fighting a losing battle with his ice cream that was now running down his hand thanks to the heat of the sun.

Laughing, Stella popped the remains of her cone into her mouth and reached into her handbag, pulling out a hand wipe. ‘There you go,’ she said, chuckling.

‘Thanks,’ he said, taking it gladly.

They walked on, chatting away. ‘Right, this is me,’ said Stella, stopping at the foot of a flight of steps that curled their way up to the top prom.

‘It’s me too.’ Alex smiled at her, beads of sweat on his brow. ‘Do you have far to go after this?’

Stella shook her head. ‘I’m just along at Fitzgilbert’s Landing.’

Alex froze, his expression one of utter disbelief.

‘What’s the matter?’ she asked, concern firing inside her.

‘I live at Fitzgilbert’s Landing. I’m the architect who worked on its conversion.’ His voice was loaded with surprise.

‘What?’ Stella looked at him, his words sinking in. ‘You mean to say we live in the same apartment building?’

‘Seems we do.’ He gave an amused laugh.

‘Which floor is your apartment on?’ she asked.

‘The second, on the left-hand side. Why, where’s yours?’

‘The second, on the right-hand side.’

‘In that case, it looks like we’re neighbours.’ A smile broke out on his face.

‘It seems we are.’ Though Stella fixed a convincing smile to her face, she wasn’t one hundred per cent sure she was keen on that idea, for a whole variety of reasons.

‘At least I know where to call if ever I need to borrow a cup of sugar,’ he said.

‘Yeah,’ she replied, uncertainty filling her chest. Having Alex live so close had the potential for a whole load of awkwardness, especially when their dalliance ended; which it invariably would.

Reaching their floor at Fitzgilbert’s Landing, Alex turned to face Stella. ‘Here we are.’

‘Here we are indeed.’

‘Well, good luck with the unpacking, I dare say you’re way ahead of me. It’s chaos in there.’ He pulled a face, jabbing towards his door with his thumb.

‘I’m sure it’s not that bad.’ She forced a smile, telling herself to just focus on the here and now and not let their close living arrangements spoil their time together. They were both adults, and besides, she was still friends with most of her exes, evenworked alongside some of them. Ferdy was a prime example.Just enjoy your time with him.

‘Oh, trust me, it is.’

He leant in and placed a kiss against her cheek, sending her emotions into a frenzy and her doubts scattering.Calm your jets, woman!This was all so very confusing.

‘Thanks for a lovely afternoon, I’ve really enjoyed myself. Any time you fancy some company on a walk, just holler. Fred and I are happy to oblige, we don’t know too many folk around here yet.’

‘Thanks,’ she said, still recovering from his kiss, and half-expecting her knees to buckle at any moment. ‘Bye for now.’ She gave a small wave, turning to face her door. ‘Actually,’ acting on impulse, she turned back, ‘there’s a fundraising event on at The Cellar on Wednesday night. I’ve got a ticket going begging, you’re very welcome to join me and the gang, if you like?’ A colleague from chambers had asked Stella to get a ticket on her behalf but had discovered she was needed in the Court of Appeal in London that day and doubted very much she’d be able to get across to Micklewick Bay in time. Hence Stella being in possession of a very convenient spare ticket.

Alex’s face lit up with a smile. ‘Sounds fun, I’d love to, thanks.’

‘Great!’ Stella gave him the time and filled him in on what to expect. ‘Oh, and it’s likely to be packed so it might be best if you leave Fred at home.’

‘Fair enough. And I’m happy to walk down with you, if you like? Not pushing, or anything.’ He splayed his hands. ‘I’ll understand if you’d rather head out on your own.’

‘Not at all, I’d like that.’ She returned his smile. ‘See you later.’

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