Page 101 of Another Lucky Number

He gives me a little wink, then dials Lottie and holds the phone out so we can both be in the frame. She answers quickly, her smiling elderly face materialising on the screen in front of us.

‘Hello!’ we greet her in unison.

‘Emma, James, how lovely to see you together. How are you both?’

We glance at each other coyly and laugh.

‘We’re great,’ I say. ‘We went on a catamaran cruise today. It was incredible. You should have seen the colour of the water we were snorkelling in. And all the tropical fish.’

‘That sounds wonderful.’

‘It really was.’

‘And now we’re going for champagne,’ says James. ‘It’s a hard life this, Lottie.’

‘Sounds like it.’ She chuckles. ‘And Emma, my love, how are you feeling? Your silence has pleased me because I assume it means you’ve been relaxing finally.’

‘Erm… I’ve certainly been enjoying the resort.’ I give James a side-glance and it’s clear he’s in agreement: I should wait until I get home to tell Lottie about my job interview. ‘Anyway, how areyou? You look like you’re doing well.’

‘I’d say I am. Even managed a short walk outside this morning with Archie and Eva’s help.’

‘That’sgreatprogress. You’ll be running laps of your cottage by the time we get back.’

‘Oh, I think my running days are well and truly over.’

‘Running’s overrated anyway,’ says James. ‘Here, look at this view, Lottie.’ He flips the camera, giving her a panoramic view of the coastline.

‘Golly, look at that.It’s quite stunning, James.’

‘Maybe we can take you somewhere like this at some point.Though perhaps a bit closer to home.’

‘I’m not sure you’d want an old crow like me tagging along with you.’

‘Rubbish,’ he tuts at her.

‘Yeah,rubbish,’ I repeat James’s objection. ‘We’ll have to make that happen.’

‘Well… that would be divine,’ says Lottie. ‘Anyway, it’s so good to see you together. You do make a lovely couple.’

James and I look at each other somewhat bashfully again, and he slips his arm around my waist.

We continue to chat to Lottie for a few minutes longer, before saying our goodbyes and heading into The Cave.

‘Sir, ma’am, come with me, please.’ The waiter leads us outside to the table closest to the water, which is perfectly situated for watching the upcoming sunset.

‘How lucky are we?’ I say, climbing onto my seat. ‘I’d have thought we’d need to book ahead to get this spot.’

‘I did,’ says James.

‘You booked it? When?’

‘A few days ago.’

I suck in my cheeks to suppress my delight at the thoughtfulness of this gesture. Then I remember that I don’t have to do that with James. I can show him the real me.

‘That’s so romantic. Thank you. I’m glad you didn’t cancel it when I had my mini-meltdown.’

‘I considered it.’ His gaze locks on mine, and I can almost see the indecision he felt. ‘But then I decided I should wait and see how things landed first. I’m not one for knee jerk reactions – unless some herculean creature is trying to steal my woman from me.’

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