‘Fair enough. Are you two getting on better now? Managing to find more time for each other?’
‘It’s not easy but we’re working on it. We had a brilliant weekend. We went to Winston’s on Friday night and then for a walk on the Heath with a picnic on Saturday.’
‘Ah, Winston’s. I remember those days well. Seems like a distant memory.’
‘You have other things to keep you entertained now.’
‘I will do soon,’ Liz replied, resting a hand on her stomach.
‘Susie was there,’ Jay said casually.
Liz raised her eyebrows. ‘Was she now? Did she make her presence felt?’
‘Tried to, but I told her again I wasn’t interested.’
‘Good for you.’
‘I know. Even though we’d split up, at first whenever I used to see her my heart would start to beat that little bit faster, but the last few times I’ve felt nothing.’
‘That’s good, Jay. Have you told Emma that?’
‘What?’
‘That you don’t feel anything when you see Susie.’
Jay frowned. ‘No, but she knows I don’t want Susie back.’
‘Tell her, Jay. Put her mind at rest.’
‘Why is she worried about Susie?’
‘Because Susie’s a model. Us normal beings tend to feel a little inferior when our boyfriend’s ex is a model.’
‘That’s daft.’
‘But it’s also true. So tell her.’
Jay nodded. ‘Yeah, okay, if you say so.’
‘I do. I think you and Emma are perfect for each other, so I’m sure you’ll be all right, but you just need to make more time for each other and make sure that you tell each other how you’re feeling. And ask her about the job, and in the meantime I’ll think about an alternative if she turns us down. We can have a catch-up next week.’
‘Good idea,’ Jay said. ‘Now, let’s get out of here before we incur the wrath of Tia again.’
* * *
To Liz’s surprise, Alex was already at home when she arrived and there was a delicious smell wafting towards her.
She walked into the gleaming white kitchen. Of all the rooms in what she thought of as a show apartment, this was the one where she was most at home, which was hardly surprising, considering her occupation. She pulled out a bar stool and sat down at the kitchen island.
‘That smells wonderful. What are you cooking?’
He shrugged. ‘Just a chicken casserole, nothing to your standard.’
‘I’m sure it will taste lovely. Especially as I haven’t cooked it myself. You’re home early.’
‘Yes. There wasn’t much I was needed for at the hotel today.’
‘All running smoothly, then?’
