‘And now?’
‘I don’t think that matters. After Joyce rang, and it was all systems go to get to the hospital, he hasn’t brought it up again.’
‘Not even when he rang to check on Richard?’
‘That’s the other thing. He didn’t even check on me.’ I let out a deep, weighted sigh. ‘Which makes me wonder if I’d read the restaurant situation wrong. Although I suppose in the cold light of day he could’ve changed his mind.’
‘Maybe he panicked. Felt threatened by you renting a room to Alex, which prompted the conversation. Then he realised how daft he was being and backed off.’
‘Maybe.’
‘Weird he didn’t contact you though. To make sure you were all right.’
I scoffed. ‘It gets weirder. I saw him at Copington Christmas Market last night and he wasn’t alone. He was with Julia.’
Erin straightened up in her seat. ‘You’re kidding me?’
‘He said she was helping him choose my Christmas present.’
‘Do you believe him?’
‘I want to.’ I twisted round slightly to face Erin. ‘But it’s like he’s given me one doubt too many and what little trust I have left is hanging on by a thread.’
Erin handed me another mince pie.
‘Unless I’m using him as a smoke screen because the problem’s with me. It’s not like I’m completely innocent in all of this.’
‘I take it we’re now talking about Alex?’
My stomach lurched. ‘What makes you say that?’
‘One, he fancies you.’
I rolled my eyes. She was beginning to sound like Gideon.
‘And two, when you’d rather sit on a bench in the freezing cold than go in there…’ Erin pointed to The Royal Oak. ‘…where there’s a real fire and a warm drink on offer, I have to assume there’s something going on between the two of you.’
‘There’s nothing going on. Not really.’
Erin looked at me like she knew better.
Despite wishing I hadn’t, I told myself I’d started the conversation so I may as well finish. ‘When you dropped me off at my flat other night, I couldn’t face going in, so I called at the pub. I hadn’t realised it was closing time, but Alex offered me a drink anyway.’
Erin’s eyes widened. ‘Just the two of you?’
I nodded.
‘Now things are getting interesting.’
‘Nothing happened. I was missing Gran and Alex was happy to listen. Then we danced.’ I smiled, as I pictured us. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed like that. ‘Then this slow number came on and…’ I fell quiet.
‘And what?’ Erin didn’t even try to hide her eagerness.
‘And nothing.’
Erin appeared confused.
‘I realised what I was doing, and I ran out the door.’
