“Then let’s do it. See where it goes?”
I nodded, held his gaze, smiled.
We sipped our final piña coladas. He looked at his drink. “I quite like these now. If I order one in a bar when we’re home, will you judge me?”
I laughed, stood on tiptoes and kissed him, dropping my sandals into the water and calling George “my hero” when he quickly galloped, sloshing his drink everywhere, to retrieve my shoes, which wanted so eagerly to be carried out to sea on the crest of a wave.
—
We land with a thud. The wheels bounce, sending the plane lurching into the air before it comes back down to earth again, securing its spot on the runway. George’s eyes open and he looks at me in bafflement.
“You OK?” I ask.
He blinks. “Yeah, I was having the best dream.”
“Which supermodel were you having sex with?” I prompt.
He leans over, whispers in my ear, “Don’t be a dick, Gallagher.” And then retreats to his seat with a smile.
“So what happens now?” I ask as we head through passport control and wait for our luggage. It’s early evening and I don’t want to be the one to suggest that we see each other tonight. We’ve spent ten whole days together. He must need his space. I’m sure I do. Only I’m not sure I want it just yet.
“Back to yours?” he suggests. “I’m not going to lie to you, Gallagher—your flat’s nicer than mine. Takeout and flake out?”
“Sounds lovely.”
We shower back at mine, freshen up, order take-out pizza to counteract all the wonderful Thai curries we’ve eaten over the last ten days. Tuck ourselves into a blanket on the sofa, eat, watch TV, and go to bed far too late, wrapping ourselves in each other as we sleep.
—
George is up before I have a chance to wake. It’s only just past 6A.M.and he’s already gone. I assume he’s taken his gym kit out of his suitcase, pulled it on, and gone to work. His case is still hereand it’s nice—a little part of George in my flat, in my life. I’m not sure how this is going to work now we’re home, back in reality and not basking in the glory of good sex and sunshine in a make-believe holiday land. I’m keeping an open mind.
I pull my jet-lagged body from my bed and begin getting ready for work. I could feel down about it, but there’s always something so reviving about returning to the office after a good holiday. As if my reset button has been pushed and I’m more alive. I am also tanned and my hair is lighter from the sunshine. I’m feeling quite good about it all now and I practically bounce into the office. Midmorning, Clare and I head to our local Italian café bar for some strong coffee and, even though I’m sure I’ve put weight on while away, I order white toast and Marmite, paying and waiting while they assemble our order.
Clare tells me about her new man, the two dates she’s been on with him and how he’s already bought her flowers and planned a night out with some of his friends.
I look up. “Meeting the friends?” I question.
“That’s the next step, isn’t it?” Clare suggests. “Meeting friends. That’s date four. We’ve got date three to get through yet.”
“And what’s that?” I’m handed my toast in a paper bag and I tuck in immediately, waving goodbye to the owner as we leave.
“He’s booked dinner at SushiSamba.”
“I’ve always wanted to go there,” I say. “They never have Groupon deals, so alas…”
“I will report back. What about you and your holiday with the man you said was only a friend?” she asks.
I look away guiltily.
“I knew it!” Clare says. “Seeing each other?”
“Yeah,” I say.
“It was inevitable,” she replies knowledgeably.
“Hmm, I’m not sure. But it did happen. And it is good.”
“Great,” Clare says as we sip our coffee. “Check us out: both of us with new men in the same month. Where’s your next date then?”
