‘You’ll love that.’

‘They are going to be color coded!’ I grin. ‘So are you going away?’

Joe nods. ‘Yeah … as much as York. Only for the night time. It’s a piece factor.’

‘Sounds thrilling.’

‘It’s positively not.’ He smiles, earlier than firmly altering the topic. For the remainder of the night time we chat away nearly – however not fairly – like we used to do. Which is sweet. As a result of we’re two grown-ups and I feel we are able to transfer ahead from this. Perhaps I used to be simply catastrophising earlier than. One kiss isn’t going to result in the tip of our friendship. There’s a small voice that tells me neither of us are being fully trustworthy with one another, however I ignore it, as a result of it’s the one factor to do.

Chapter 26

Weeks cross and I realise that I nonetheless haven’t heard from Mark, to comply with up on assembly Lila. So I ship him a message.

Hello Mark, can we’ve a chat to debate how we’re going to introduce you to Lila?

Need us to be on the identical web page with every thing for Lila’s sake.

Additionally recommend we meet at our native playground one weekend morning for an hour.

Let me know when you possibly can chat.

Thanks, Sophie

Mark’s on-line as I sort and I see that he’s reads the messages, so I half anticipate a direct response, however nothing comes.

‘What are we consuming tonight?’ Poppy asks, strolling into the kitchen in my new Birkenstocks. ‘Additionally, isn’t it a aid that it’s lastly stopped raining? I imply April showers is one factor, however it’s June!’ Poppy flops down at my kitchen desk and helps herself to an apple.

‘What’s with the look?’ I ask, pointing at her ft. She’s teamed my sandals with coronary heart print socks.

‘It’s giving trendy-grandad, proper?’ She grins.

‘It’s giving stealing-from-your-own-sister, extra like.’

Poppy ignores this. ‘Adam’s being a ache within the butt.’

‘How so?’ I ask.

‘Urgh,’ she says, eyes rolling on the considered her flatmate, finest buddy and positively not should-be different half. ‘So, final night time we have been each within the flat and he’d picked up my favorite beer on the way in which house. He got here in, requested how my day had been and we ended up having a extremely good catch-up. I discussed that I’d been on a date with Akoni and he went all bizarre. I feel the phrases worldwide rugby star did one thing to his ego? Some bizarre man stuff I don’t perceive?’

‘Maintain up, you’ve been on a date with Akoni?’

‘Did I not let you know?’

‘No!’

‘He requested me out the final time I used to be at The Royal Oak.’

‘Mum mentioned you virtually lived there now.’

Poppy rolls her eyes at this.

‘So how was the date?’

‘Oh, positive I assume.’ This appears a tepid response from the girl who has been flirting with Akoni relentlessly for over a month.

‘You’ve painted an actual vivid image there, Pop. I really feel like I used to be on the date with you! When did this occur by the way in which?’

‘A few weeks in the past I feel.’

Supply: www.seynovel.com