Page 13 of One Night in Edinburgh

‘Cheers.’ Jamie lifts his plastic pint glass.

‘Cheers.’ I tap it with my own drink.

‘To new beginnings?’ His kind eyes probe mine with what feels like more than an attempt to find the positive in my crappy circumstances.

‘That sounds very appropriate.’ My stomach gives a little flutter, as he holds my gaze for way longer than would be deemed appropriate – and I can’t help wondering exactly where this night might be heading.

At one a.m., the band wraps things up and the street party comes to a close. Jamie and I haven’t moved from our spot, but there’s still no sign of Anna. I’m about to get my phone out to call her – knowing full well the networks will probably be jammed – when she appears out of nowhere, looking slightly dishevelled.

‘Do I evenwantto know what you’ve been up to?’ I survey her with a mock-appraising look.

‘Probably not. But let me tell you, it involved a tree and a very hunky Spanish man.’

‘Nice mental image, thanks for that.’

‘Calm down.’ She chuckles. ‘It was just a snog. A very raunchy snog, I must add.’

She gives us a sneaky wink, and Jamie laughs loudly while I shake my head in despair.

‘So, where to now?’ she asks.

Jamie and I look at each other uncertainly. We’ve been getting on brilliantly since I explained my situation. The banter has been in full flow, with plenty of turbo-charged looks and super-sexy flirtations (by my standards it was high-level flirting anyway). Now, an unspoken question lies between us: do we want to take it any further? He knows I’m very recently damaged goods, so to speak, and he’s got a good friend he hasn’t seen all night. On the other hand, I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. I’m basically fumbling around in the dark as far as my raw emotions and my experience with new blokes go.

‘Um… my mate will be ready shortly,’ says Jamie.

‘He’s the accordionist in the ceilidh band,’ I supplement for Anna’s benefit.

‘Ooh, I’ve never been with an accordionist. Is he single?’

‘Engaged,’ says Jamie. ‘Sorry to disappoint. We’re heading to The Shore to meet some of his friends.’

‘Perfect,’ says Anna. ‘We’ll join you.’

I flinch at her boldness, and look to Jamie for his reaction.

‘Great stuff.’ He grins at the two of us. ‘As long as that’s OK with you, Steph? I completely understand if you’d rather call it a night.’

He puts a reassuring hand on my back to let me know it’s fine whatever I decide, and that single touch is all it takes to make up my mind. All I can focus on is that hand, his lips, the question of what kind of body is under that puffer jacket… Maybe I should ease back on the drink for the rest of the night. I’ve gone from completely broken to full-on lust in less than twelve hours. That can’t be good – or healthy. But taking that out the equation, I know two things: in terms of hotness, he’s off-the-scale, and second, I don’t want this night to end yet, so we may as well join them. It’s more or less on my way home in any case.

‘Let’s go,’ I announce. ‘You got transport booked?’

‘My mate arranged a taxi earlier.’ Jamie flashes me a sexy smile that indicates he’s more than pleased with my decision and I don’t know if it’s just me, but the outside temperature seems to rise by several degrees in an instant.

‘Jamie, mate, how was your night?’ A man whom I recognise as the accordionist from the band bounds up to us, slicing right through the growing sexual tension between us.

‘Neil, buddy, you were awesome up there tonight.’ Jamie shares a handshake-cum-hug-cum-slap-on-the-back with his friend.

‘Thanks, pal,’ says Neil in his distinctive north of Scotland accent. ‘I enjoyed it. They’re a brilliant band.’

‘Neil, this is Steph and Anna.’ Jamie gestures towards us. ‘Steph’s been kind enough to keep me company for the last hour. They’re going to come to the pub with us. I assume that’s all right.’

‘More the merrier.’ Neil spreads his arms out in a welcoming gesture. ‘Steph, Anna, lovely to meet you. Shall we get our taxi then?’

Chapter 5

Twenty minutes later, we reach the rather charming urban area that is historic Leith, a.k.a The Shore, and bundle out of the taxi and into a pub: a traditional but also quirky establishment overlooking Leith Docks. The windows are clouded with condensation from the sheer number of people packed inside it, and there’s volume to match, both from the bass-driven music and the excited, chattering voices of the merry punters. I can tell immediately that it’s going to be good fun.

‘What can I get you?’ Jamie shouts over the noise. ‘It’s my round, remember?’

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