Page 133 of Love ad Lib
‘No, you’re not!’ she sobbed. ‘You’re never a problem. It’s that arseclown, Lucas.’
Libby got up and put her arms around her friend so she was held from every side.
She kissed the side of Claire’s head. ‘I’m going to be okay.’
‘How? It’s such a lot of money,’ she wailed.
‘I’ve got a new job.’
Claire lifted her tearstained face. ‘You have? What is it?’
She smiled. ‘I’m going to be a cat lady.’
27
From: Libby Fletcher
To: Jack Newton
Subject: Flat sitting
Hi Jack!
Thanks so much for the opportunity! Do you have any special instructions? I want to make sure I do the right thing.
Best wishes,
Libby
From:Jack Newton
To: Libby Fletcher
Subject: Re: Flat sitting
Hi Libby,
My work schedule is extremely busy, so please can you arrange everything with Henry? You’ll be fine.
Best,
Jack
Henry metLibby at Claire’s the next afternoon to help her move into Jack’s flat. He was immaculately dressed as always, and she had to swallow at how deliciously his shoulders filled out his tailored white shirt. He glanced at her boots and her tummy tightened with anxiety.
‘I’m glad to see you back in them,’ he said with a smile. ‘It reminds me you’re the kind of person to kick ass and take names.’
She snorted with laughter and relief. ‘As if.’
He grinned. ‘That’s what you and Claire did at Conqueror, just so subtly that none of us noticed.’ He glanced at her bags. ‘Have you got everything?’
She nodded, suddenly drenched with memories of the flood. ‘I don’t have much stuff left.’
A muscle in his jaw twitched, but he hid it behind a smile. ‘Okay, let’s get you settled in.’
As they drovesouth towards Soho, the roads got busier. Libby clutched the tupperware box containing her new starter like a comfort blanket, as if trying to hold onto a piece of the countryside. Somerset seemed very far away.
Henry glanced at it. ‘Have you decided on a name for Serafina mark two yet?’
