‘Thanks for inviting Grace. The timing couldn’t have been better as it means I’m sorted for my date with Lyle at the weekend.’
‘Happy to help. So, is he as nice as Ruby told me?’ Jules asked as they headed for the bench that face the water.
‘He’s lovely, Jules. But at this point I’m waiting for him to be awful in some way.’
Jules frowned. ‘How do you mean?’
Caitlin sighed. ‘I don’t know… He just seems too good to be true. He’s attractive, a single parent like me, employed with a stable job… Things like this don’t happen to me, Jules.’
Jules nudged her shoulder. ‘No, but they should. That’s all this is – you getting what you deserve at last.’
Caitlin narrowed her eyes. ‘Hmm. I’m not so sure about that. But I guess I’ll just go and see how it pans out.’
‘Just enjoy it. It’s about time you had someone to share your life with. Kids grow up so fast and head off to uni or college and then us parents are left with empty nests, so I think it’s nice to have someone to look forward to things with. I wish you all the happiness in the world, lovely.’
Caitlin’s throat tightened with emotion at her best friend’s words. ‘Thank you. That means a lot.’
* * *
Once back home, Grace disappeared to her room to read, and Caitlin settled down with a cup of tea in front of the TV. She flicked through the channels and was almost tempted by the rerun of a series ofBake Off, but a text pinged through to her mobile to distract her.
Hi Caitlin, it’s Lyle. I was wondering if you’re free for that drink tomorrow at all? Cora is going to her aunty’s house for dinner. I understand if you have plans but I’m hoping you don’t. Lyle xx
He typed kisses at the end of the message, Caitlin mused with a flutter of excitement. She hit reply.
Hi Lyle. Great timing! Grace has just been invited over to her friend Evin’s for a BBQ. Shall I meet you at the Coxswain? What time suits? Cait xx
She paused before adding the kisses, but eventually decided, seeing as he added some, she would do the same.
A few moments later, another message arrived.
Wow! That is good timing. Fantastic. Shall I meet you outside at 7 p.m.? L x
A wide smiled tugged at her lips and she hit reply.
Sounds good! See you then. Cait x
She placed her phone down and sighed contentedly. Maybe this single life was about to be not so single? It was all a very exciting prospect, and she couldn’t wait to see what the future held. Although, she still couldn’t help the niggle of doubt playing around in the back of her mind. When things seem too good to be true, they usually are… aren’t they?
* * *
The following evening, after an excited text conversation with Ruby with instructions to report back on everything, Caitlin walked Grace over to Jules and Reid’s house for the barbecue. Grace talked nonstop about how cool it would be if she and Cora ended up living in the same house. Caitlin wanted to tell her to stop getting her hopes up, but she couldn’t get a word in. The last thing she needed was to end up with both herself and Grace broken-hearted. But she batted the negativity away.Let’s just see how it goes… no pressure…she told herself.
‘You look really pretty, Cait. That top is gorgeous! And I’m so excited for you,’ Jules said, beaming, when Grace and Evin had run through to the back garden.
‘Thanks. I’m so bloody nervous. I feel like a teenager. My palms are sweating, and my stomach keeps doing flip-flops.’
‘That’s a good sign, though. You clearly like him a lot if he has your stomach in knots.’
Caitlin smiled and nodded. ‘I really do. I’m just scared to get my hopes up, you know?’
Jules reached out and squeezed her arm. ‘Just take things at your own pace. Don’t put pressure on yourself. Relax and have a lovely evening. It’ll be a good prelude to your dinner date.’
Caitlin pursed her lips and scrunched her brow. ‘I just hope we still have things to talk about on Saturday too. I don’t want things to fizzle out before they start.’
Jules narrowed her eyes. ‘What did I say about putting pressure on yourself?’
Caitlin rolled her eyes. ‘Yes, you’re right. Take things as they come. I need to make that my mantra, don’t I? Anyway… I’d best be going. It’s nearly seven and I don’t want to keep him waiting.’
