Page 34 of Things We Need to Say
‘Yes, they’re going to inform the sponsors. With any luck they’ll kick him off the judging panel.’
‘That will certainly make life easier for you. What did you think when he walked into the room?’
‘That I wanted to run away. But I’m glad I managed to calm myself down and I think I impressed the other judges.’
‘Too right. Who were they?’
Jay watched Liz’s mouth drop open as he told her.
‘Oh, Angela Markham has always been an idol of mine.’
‘Me too. And she’s so nice, but I am a little bit in awe of her.’
‘I bet you are. I’ve always thought that Philip Saunders was a bit of a silver fox. Is he as good-looking in the flesh?’
Jay grinned. ‘Oh, I should say so.’
‘So what’s next, then?’
‘Well, the rest of the heats need to take place until sixteen people have been selected. And then we’ll all go into more intensive heats to get down to eight and then the final four. But that won’t be for a while yet.’
‘Sounds like tough competition.’
‘It is. Who knows if I’ll get through, but it won’t be for want of trying.’
‘I’m sure it won’t,’ Liz said. ‘And I’m backing you all the way.’
‘Thanks, Liz. Looks like we’re both starting on a journey.’
Chapter Twelve
After work, Liz returned home to cook a dinner of seabass, oregano new potatoes and Mediterranean vegetables. When Alex arrived he immediately pulled her into his arms and kissed her. ‘So what have you been doing today?’ he said smiling down at her.
‘I had a lie-in this morning and later I went to help Jay for a few hours. And don’t worry, I haven’t overdone it.’ She sat down at the table.
Alex frowned. ‘I didn’t mean it like that. I’m interested in your day, that’s all.’
‘Sorry.’ She knew she was being touchy, but she hated it when he tried to wrap her in cotton wool.
‘I just know how much of a perfectionist you are. Maybe you should let Jay do more? He’s going to have to take control when you’re on maternity leave.’
‘Jay is doing more than his fair share of the physical work. As a compromise I’ve taken over more of the paperwork. Besides which, I’m pregnant, not brain dead.’
‘Yes, I know.’ He sounded contrite. ‘I’m sorry, I just worry.’
‘I know you do,’ she said, more softly. ‘And I understand why. I promise to be careful, but you have to let me be the judge of what I can and can’t do. Come on, let’s eat before our dinner gets cold,’ she added getting up again to dish up their meal.
‘Of course.’
They were quiet for a while — the only sound was the scraping of cutlery against plates. When they’d finished, Liz spoke. ‘Shall I tell you what else I’ve been doing today?
‘Go on.’
‘I’ve been looking at the house, online.’
His face lit up. ‘So tell me. What do you think?’
When they’d been to visit the house yesterday, she’d really liked it. It was a three-storey white-fronted building in the middle of a terrace. With four bedrooms, two en suites and one family bathroom, it more than suited their needs. It also had four reception rooms, two on the ground floor and two in the basement, one of which led straight out into a two-tiered garden. Although it had everything they needed on paper, it was such an important decision that she’d needed some time to think about it. This would be their first proper home together, where they would raise their family, and she wanted them to make the right choice. But as she’d looked at the rooms again online she remembered how they’d looked and how she’d felt there. She’d quickly realised that she had just been procrastinating.
