Page 44 of The Ex

But then the Guildhall is so much nicer, so iconic… and he could book a hotel somewhere nearby – maybe even see if they can get a room at the Pig on the Beach over in Studland.

A hotel. Thick white bedlinen, champagne, room service. Himself, peeling Naomi’s dress from her lovely shoulders, placing his lips on her collarbone.

His breath staggers. They have yet to spend a night together or share anything beyond a kiss.

And in that moment, a flash of inspiration comes to him.

‘Yes,’ he whispers to himself. ‘Yes.’

While the thought almost makes him wince in frustration, Naomi might appreciate it if they did things the old-fashioned way,like… like a courtship. For two people who already know each other intimately, it would prove his respect for the boundaries she talks about, plus it would give their wedding night a real sense of anticipation. It would make their first night together extra special: a fresh start, almost a rebirth.

Hell, it would be almost like the first time.

(Except he would know what he was doing a bit more.)

It is not indecisive to ask Naomi what her preference is. It is considerate. He is simply involving her in the choice. Yes. Right. Good. A good pretext to call her. He will call her later, after work.

‘Nomes,’ he says. ‘It’s me.’ His stomach feels hollow. He has not been able to eat very much this evening.

But, ‘Hey,’ is all she says, her tone familiar, warm, as if no disaster has occurred, no disaster whatsoever.

‘Sorry about last night,’ he says. ‘I shouldn’t have come over without texting.’

‘Oh my God, yeah, what was that about? Sorry, I was a bit worse for wear.’ Still her tone is neutral. Amused even.

He sighs, so hugely she asks if he’s OK.

‘I was worried I’d upset you. I know you said about boundaries, and that was—’

‘What? Don’t be silly. I mean, I’d prefer it if you let me know first, obviously, but I wasn’tupset– it’s not a big deal. I was a bit hammered when you texted, you know what Jo’s like, and my tolerance is shot these days. Did you say you had a gift for me or something?’

She is not angry. She never was. He has wound himself up into a state, but now he could dance, he could, and in fact he does, there in his gran’s hallway. ‘I do have something for you. Something a bit special actually. In fact, can I come over later? I could try again.’

‘I’m intrigued,’ she says, giggling. ‘Jo’s here at the moment and I’ve just asked if she wants to stay for dinner, so…’

‘Maybe at the weekend then?’

‘Sure. I can’t really afford a sitter, not twice in one week, but you could come over on Saturday? Do you mind?’

‘I can pay for the sitter if you want to go out?’

A pause. ‘That’s so sweet, but the whole mask thing gets me down, and half the places are shut with people isolating. We can order a takeout if you like? I can let you pay for that. Cheeky Indian? We love a cheeky Indian, don’t we?’

He laughs. ‘Deal. We can discuss money for Toms. You’re good at that stuff, and there’s… there’s something else I need to run by you too.’

He closes the call, feels boneless with relief. Saturday night, they will sort out the practical side of things, really take things forward. Even if she asks him to stay, he will say,No, let’s wait. Let’s wait until we’re married like they did in the olden days, like characters in a novel by…

Jane Austen! He hasn’t read her himself, but he knows from Joyce thatPersuasionis the one set here in Lyme Regis. It’s the perfect gift for the perfect proposal, which he will repeat, properly this time.

‘Perfect,’ he says aloud. ‘Just perfect.’

CHAPTER 38

On Saturday, late afternoon, he calls in at the bookshop on Marine Parade, where the nice assistant whose name badge saysTamsintells him he’s made a good choice before dashing to find him the paperback. As she rings up the purchase, he tells her it’s for his ex-girlfriend, that they are back together. Tamsin smiles and replies that this makes the book extra perfect because it is about a second chance in love, which makes him glow to the roots of his hair.

He arrives at Naomi’s at six, loaded with two large bottles of Singha beer, the book and the ring. Naomi is wearing loose black velvety trousers and a casual grey sweatshirt that falls off one shoulder. She has pinned up her hair and he kisses her on the neck.

‘You smell amazing,’ he says, in that moment resolving to pick up some of her favourite perfume: Chanel No. 5, which she once told him she wore because it was Marilyn Monroe’s favourite. It’ll have to be a small bottle. There’s not much left in his account after buying the cot and all the other stuff. He might have to borrow some cash from Joyce.

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