Okay, I’d had two cocktails and a glass of Prosecco but I wasn’t imagining things. ‘You were rude to him.’
‘Just making small talk.’
‘While I’ve clearly done something to spoil our friendship, like – I don’t know – saying I don’t want to engage in some casual fling with you, that doesn’t make it okay to act like a caveman in front of every man who talks to me.’
‘Talks to you? He was practically drooling. If I’d not intervened you’d have had no chance at sticking to your man-free plan.’
‘I think I could have held him off for a couple more hours,’ I snapped, tears pricking at the backs of my eyes.
‘What?’ Sam frowned.
‘This is the last item on the Dream List. As of midnight I can date, kiss, do whatever I like with whoever I like.’
There was a stony silence. Sam was completely still.
‘And he’s the person you’ve been waiting for?’
‘What’s it to you if he is?’
Sam rolled his eyes. I felt a giant urge to kick him in the shin. ‘He’s a sleaze. That comment about how he’s hoping he’s already found someone, five minutes after he’s met you.’ He shook his head in contempt. ‘I can promise you he’snotinterested in the kind of relationship you’ve been dreaming of.’
‘Well, I’m so pleased you were here to work that out in the two minutes you stood there and glowered at him!’ I said, grateful that the Frea-K Three-K were building to a loud enough crescendo that no one would hear me on the brink of yelling. ‘Equally, how wonderful that you seem to know the exact kind of relationship I want. Please, do enlighten me.’
‘You said yourself that you’re not looking for anything casual.’ Sam’s voice had grown quieter now, his eyes boring into mine.
‘Maybe I changed my mind,’ I flung back at him, my own words softening in line with his. ‘Maybe I just didn’t want anything casual with you.’
Sam jerked back as though I’d slapped him. He froze there for a long second, before regaining his composure. ‘Okay, well, I’m sorry for interfering. I was trying to be a good friend. Trying to protect you from a lecherous creep who you’ll be stuck living next door to once you’ve realised he’s nowhere near good enough for you.’
‘Okay, well, apology accepted!’ I said, almost choking on my unshed tears. ‘Maybe next time you want to be my friend, try harder! Try letting me enjoy my first ever party, rather than ruining it!’
At that, I turned and clattered back into the garden just in time to see the Frea-K Three-K’s human pyramid topple into a holly bush. When I glanced back into the kitchen, Sam had gone.
Good. I was fuming with him. If I wanted something casual with my new sexy neighbour on my birthday, that was none of his damn business. It was my party!
Only before I could get back to it, Steph came and grabbed me. ‘Ollie, you need to come with me.’
‘I don’t want to come with you, I want to enjoy my party.’
Acting as though I’d not even spoken, Steph dragged me back into the kitchen. There in the doorway to the hall was a sight that sobered me up instantly.
Leanne clutched at her jacket, her face contorted in fear and panic. ‘Ollie, tell me she’s here!’
‘What?’
‘Joan. She’s run away. Please tell me she’s turned up here for a birthday surprise.’
It took a few minutes for Leanne and Peter, who’d been finding somewhere to park clear of the partygoers’ cars, to explain. Joan was supposed to be at a sleepover with a girl from her school, but when Leanne called round to drop off a forgotten toothbrush, the girl’s parent said that Joan had cancelled.
‘We got straight in the car and came here. I’ve been calling you every ten minutes since we left.’
‘My phone is in here. I’ve been outside.’
‘We tried Pia, a couple of my other old clients, but no one answered. I didn’t want anyone else to know what was happening.’
When we asked Leanne if she’d called the police, she had the same excuse. ‘If I’d called the police, they’d have involved social services, and I can’t bear to relive that nightmare unless I have to. I felt sure she’d be here.’ Leanne’s face fell. ‘Where else would she be?’
And then it clicked.
