Page 111 of Love You Like That (Excess All Areas 4)

“You’re all in.”

“I am. I can’t explain it, but I’ve never been more excited about anything in my life. Not even playing.”

Alex slid his hand around the back of her neck and squeezed tenderly. “This birthday just keeps getting better.”

“It’s strange. I got some news that would usually have floored me the other morning. But an hour later, I was lugging the three djembe drums from Heaton Moor on the bus, reading a message from you, and was feeling deep down happy.”

The kettle boiled and she stepped away to make two cups of tea, one extra strong how Alex liked it. “Here,” she said, offering him his cup.

“Thanks. What was the news?”

“My hearing has really deteriorated in the last twelve months. I can’t hear anything below ninety-five decibels which means it’s profound. I mean, it’s not a total shock. I knew it would all go eventually. I went to see my audiologist to get new hearing aids. It’s a process. A faff if I’m honest. I’m not even sure they’ll be any use for much longer. But it didn’t derail me.”

Alex sipped his tea, then put the cup back on the counter. “Are you getting the best help money can buy?”

Zoe shrugged. “NHS. But it’s all been good.”

“I’m sure they are great. But let’s find a private specialist. See what the latest and greatest devices are you can use.”

“I’m fine.”

“I thought we agreed you weren’t going to say that word.” Alex rolled his eyes, but the smile said he wasn’t mad. “I know you are fine. But in the same way you did this for me…” he gestured towards all the instruments stacked up behind them, “…this is something I can do for you. Do the research, Zoe. Find the best specialist. Then let’s get you an appointment, yeah? One I can drive you to and pay for. If they can’t help you any more than the NHS, then okay. But let’s at least try.”

“You know a time’s going to come when they won’t help at all, right?”

He gripped her wrists and pulled her to him. “I know. You want to stop using them now, we’ll work it out together. But, please let me be in this with you.”

Zoe swallowed, deeply touched by his words. “There are definitely sexier hearing aids than these,” she said, touching the ones she currently wore.

“Yeah, but there’s nobody sexier wearing them than you.”

She laughed. “Sweet talker.”

Alex shrugged as he finished the last of his tea. “You know. Coming here, coming home to you was one of those spur of the moment I-just-gotta-go decisions. But it was worth all of it just to be here to have this conversation with you face to face. I’m going to have to send Willow a huge bouquet of flowers or something.”

“Willow?”

“Well, she used our song in that app, which took us to Detroit, which is where we met Cerys, and through Cerys, I met you. So, if you think about it, Willow is responsible for us.”

“Send it from both of us.”

“I will. And another thing. Do you have your driving licence?”

Zoe nodded. “I do.”

“I have a car sitting outside Nan’s house so she can keep an eye on it for me. I’m going to get you the keys, and you should use it. You don’t need to carry djembe on the bus. Or got to the centre on the bus. Or go into town on the tram. Just use my car. I’ll get you added to the insurance tomorrow.”

That would make her life so much easier. “Thank you. I’m not a fan of driving or trying to park in the centre. But I’d love to use it outside of that.”

“Good. Now. It’s nearly three. Finish your tea, and let’s go to bed. Because I need to hold you some more while I’m still here.”

And she smiled as he led her up the stairs.

“I’ve got a confession to make,” Nan said as soon as she opened the door.

He loved the easy way Nan hugged Zoe. And Nan’s cheek was cool to his lips as he kissed her. “What did you do?”

“Well, Willow set me up with some of those social media accounts so I could follow pictures of the band.”

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