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  ‘You… what?’ I grabbed his arm.

  ‘I got a commission. Someone contacted me in the week. We finalised details yesterday. They want some shots of the city for their new apartment in London; they both grew up here and miss it. They have some specific places they want images of but want something different from the normal things you tend to see for sale. They came across my blog and liked my stuff. So, I kind of said yes.’

  ‘You kind of… Charlie! That’s fantastic! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me – us – before now!’

  ‘It’s not a big deal.’ But even with his reserved manner, I could tell that Charlie was excited about this. It showed in those incredible eyes – they shone as he looked at me.

  ‘It’s a huge deal! I’m so proud of you!’ I threw my arms around his neck, stretching on tiptoes in my flat shoes, and felt his warm arms wrap around me.

  ‘Thank you,’ he whispered, his voice soft and low in my ear, before releasing me.

  ‘Well done, mate!’ Marcus and Alex chimed, slapping his back.

  ‘Of course, what he hasn’t told us is that the commission is for a series at the nudist beach,’ Marcus teased.

  ‘It is?’ Amy entered the conversation, a little worse for wear. Her eyes were huge as she looked at Charlie. ‘Oh, no! Charlie! You won’t like that! I don’t think that’s really your thing at all! Perhaps Libby could help out? She’s much more outgoing than you.’

  ‘Err, excuse me?’

  ‘I mean, you could go and take some photos down there for him.’

  ‘Ames, they want Charlie’s photos, not mine.’

  ‘All right, then,’ Amy continued, warming to her theme. ‘Then perhaps you could go when it’s really quiet and Charlie could take some photos there, and you could be the “random sunbather”!’ Amy looked incredibly pleased with this suggestion. I looked mortified. All three men looked thoroughly entertained.

  ‘I have never gone, and will never be going, to the nudist beach, and, as much as I support Charlie in this venture, I am not about to strip off for him!’

  ‘Well, I guess that answers my next question,’ Charlie said, calm and studied as always, as if he had just asked me the time.

  My mouth dropped open.

  ‘You should see your face,’ he said, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He shrugged. ‘So, I’m guessing Amy’s idea is a non-starter?’

  ‘How much have you had to drink?’ I asked him.

  He smiled. ‘Not enough. I’m pretty sure I should have started much earlier.’ A fleeting expression clouded his features.

  18

  ‘Are you sure you don’t want us to stay and help clear up?’ I asked Charlie’s mum, for the second time.

  ‘No, dear,’ she replied, patting me on the arm. ‘But thank you for the offer. Charlie and Alex have moved the tables back to the garage for me, and I’ll be setting the dishwasher to do its thing in a bit. There’s really not too much else to do.’

  ‘Well, if you’re sure. Thank you again for having me.’

  She caught my hand. ‘It was a pleasure! It’s lovely to meet you after hearing so much about you from Charlie. I have to say,’ her voice dropped a little quieter, ‘I thought there might be something more to you and Charlie initially. I mean, he’s not the chattiest of boys, we all know that. That’s just our Charlie. But I know you two have spent quite a lot of time together since Marcus started seeing Amy. Lovely girl, by the way. I do like her.’

  ‘Me too.’ I smiled. ‘But just so you know, there’s nothing between Charlie and me. I mean, other than friendship.’

  ‘Oh, no! I know. I asked him. I mean, I was sort of hoping he’d say yes because he’s always so cheery when he’s been around you. I can see why too now. You’ve a lovely, sunshiny personality. It brings out the best in him. His dad brought me out of my shell too when we first met. I suppose that’s what good friends do – bring out the best in each other. But, you know, I just thought I’d ask Charlie. Encourage him along. He’s a wonderful boy, but he does occasionally need a kick up the backside when it comes to women.’

  I laughed.

  ‘But he told me that neither of you were that way inclined towards each other, and just enjoyed being friends.’

  ‘That’s true. I don’t think I’m Charlie’s type anyway. I’ve never been the most academic in my family. I’m not sure we really have a lot in common in that area.’

  His mum stopped in her tidying and looked at me. ‘Being academic isn’t everything, Libby. And from what I’ve heard and seen of you, you’re a bright, beautiful and creative young lady.’ She rested her hand on my cheek momentarily. ‘Don’t let anyone, including yourself, tell you any different.’

  I smiled and nodded against her hand and closed my eyes briefly, thinking how much my mum would have loved Charlie’s.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘In the meantime, I’ll continue to live in hope that he finds someone just as lovely as you. I have to say, it’s a bit of a shame, as I think you’d be really good for him.’ She gave me a wink and I felt a hint of colour warm my chest and face.

  ‘If it makes you feel better, I don’t think Charlie’s ever short of offers.’

  ‘I don’t doubt it.’ His mum glanced over to where Alex, Charlie and his dad were peering up at some tree lights. ‘I know he’s my son, so I’m probably a little biased, but he is a very handsome boy.’

  ‘I think that bias is perfectly acceptable. And yes, he is. No doubt about it. I think we just became really good friends super quickly – you know how that happens sometimes? And then, well, you don’t look at your mates as potential boyfriends or girlfriends any more. You sort of go past it. I don’t know. Does that make sense?’ I fiddled with my hair slide and tried to decide who exactly I was trying to convince.

  ‘It does, dear. It does.’

  ‘And Charlie will find someone lovely who deserves him when the time is right.’

  ‘I’m sure he will. So long as it’s not that temptress that lives in the flat next to him!’

  ‘Aha, the delectable Elaine! She’s quite something, isn’t she?’

  ‘She certainly is. And I’m far too polite to say what.’

  My eyebrows shot up and I rolled my lips together to stop the laugh bursting out. ‘I don’t think Charlie is planning anything in that direction, so I shouldn’t worry.’ I thought of our unexpected, but very enjoyable, day out along the coast that we’d taken for the sole purpose of helping Charlie avoid Elaine’s further advances that day.

  ‘Talking of directions, our Alex has hardly been able to stop looking in this one the whole time he’s been over there.’

  I glanced over at the boys automatically. As Charlie’s mum said, Alex was indeed looking this way. She pulled a move and fluffed her hair, pretending to soak up the attention. Alex grinned, and waggled his eyebrows. Charlie followed his eye line, then punched Alex on the arm.

  ‘He’s as good as one of my own, that boy. You’re in safe hands there.’

  ‘Oh! I’m not… we’re not…’

  She looked at me, a smile on her face, waiting for me to say what I was trying to say. I wasn’t entirely sure what that was myself so there was a good chance she might be waiting a long time.

  Charlie’s mum smiled at me. ‘I know you’re not. Yet. Unlike Charlie, Alex is more obvious when he’s got the hots for some girl. I should know, I’ve seen them all come and go, over the years.’

  ‘There’s been a lot, then?’ I laughed.

  ‘Oh, no, not like that. I just meant I’ve watched these boys grow up and seen the various girls that have come in and out of all of their lives. I sometimes wonder when they might get around to settling down. They’re all such good lads. They deserve to find the right one.’

  ‘Maybe they’re still happy looking.’

  She waggled her head in a ‘perhaps’ way.

  ‘Although I think you might be right about that with Charlie. He said something to that effect when I asked him why he w
asn’t interested in Elaine.’

  ‘I’d agree with you there. Charlie’s never short of offers, like you say. But some of the girls he’s been out with? Well, you can tell they’re not interested in the real Charlie. Just what he looks like and what his money can buy them. He fell for it a few times, too. I think he’s learned that lesson now. It’s made him cautious.’

  ‘Poor Charlie. I hate to think of someone taking advantage like that.’

  ‘Yes. It wasn’t easy to watch, but it’s difficult to say anything, as his mother. It can backfire if they think you don’t like their choice of partner.’

  ‘I guess so.’

  ‘Perhaps you can keep an eye on him?’

  I tilted my head. ‘I think he’s got things pretty sussed, to be honest. And whilst he’s reserved, I’m sure if he made his mind up to do something, or see someone, nothing I could say would have much effect.’

  ‘He can be stubborn when he feels he needs to be. That’s true.’

  I rubbed her arm in a gesture of reassurance. ‘He’ll find the right person. I’m sure of it.’

  ‘I hope you do too, Libby. You’re a lovely girl.’

  ‘Thank you,’ I said, impulsively hugging her. She returned it, laughing.

  ‘Libs, you ready to go? The taxi should be here any minute,’ Charlie called over.

  ‘Yep.’ I nodded and we made our way over to the boys. Marcus and Amy had left a short time ago and Alex, Charlie and I were getting a second taxi back to our respective residences. We said goodbye and walked down the path, watching as car headlights came down the road. The cab driver saw us waiting and pulled into the kerb. From the corner of my eye, I saw Alex make a small head gesture at Charlie, and Charlie got in the front seat.

  ‘Where to?’ the driver said.

  Charlie gave him all three addresses.

  ‘Any particular order?’

  ‘So long as the marina isn’t last,’ Alex put in.

  I turned my head. ‘I don’t mind being last.’

  He moved his hand across the seat and brushed my fingers. ‘Humour me.’ In the half-light I could see his eyes were serious.

  ‘OK,’ I said, my hand tingling from his touch. If I was honest, that wasn’t the only thing tingling. ‘As it’s you.’

  His eyes hadn’t left me, and at my comment he flashed a smile.

  Charlie was dropped off first. He leant back through the seats and slapped Alex on the leg.

  ‘See you tomorrow, mate.’ He twisted to me and patted my knee – it was kind of all he could do from that angle. ‘See you soon, Libs.’ And then he got out.

  ‘Charlie!’ I said, pushing open the door and climbing out of the car, and probably not at my most elegant. ‘Aren’t you jetting off tomorrow night?’

  ‘Yep,’ Charlie agreed, taking the hand I was flailing as I extricated myself from the taxi.

  ‘And you think you’re allowed to do that without giving me a hug? I’m not going to see you for ages!’

  ‘It’s only a few days.’

  I huffed at him. ‘Well, I always miss my friends, however long it is. Even if you don’t.’

  The next moment I was dangling a foot in the air and enveloped in the biggest hug I’d ever had. ‘Bye, Libs,’ he whispered.

  ‘That’s better,’ I said, when he’d put me back down.

  He chuckled. ‘Take care, and I’ll send you some pictures from Singapore.’ I saw his glance flick to the waiting car and back to me. ‘Have fun and look after yourself.’ He waited whilst I got back in the car then closed the door. I waved out of the window and Charlie raised a hand in response.

  Traffic was light and it wasn’t long before we were pulling up outside my block.

  ‘Thanks,’ I said to the driver, before turning to Alex to say goodbye. He beat me to it.

  ‘Can you just wait here a minute, mate? I’m going to walk her up.’

  The driver shrugged. ‘It’s your meter running.’

  Alex looked at me and we exchanged a grin before getting out and closing the doors.

  ‘So nice to find someone who has such joy for his job,’ Alex commented.

  ‘Maybe he’s had a long day.’

  He pulled a face. ‘I think he’s probably just a grumpy git.’

  ‘Has anyone ever told you you’re too quick to judge?’

  ‘Has anyone ever told you you’re too nice?’

  They had actually, but I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of being right.

  ‘Yeah, I thought so,’ Alex smirked.

  ‘What?’

  ‘You’re very easy to read, Libby.’

  ‘I am not!’ I knew I was ridiculously easy to read. But it was the principle of the matter.

  ‘OK. Maybe not. Maybe it’s the extra training I’ve had in studying people.’ He made a point of running his eyes over me in a comical way.

  I rolled my eyes at him. ‘Yes. I’m sure that’s what it must be.’

  He smiled that gorgeous smile and I couldn’t help but respond in kind. ‘You really don’t need to walk me up. It’s only just here,’ I said, pointing. ‘Like he said, your meter is running.’

  ‘I’d prefer to walk you up for safety reasons. And I’d like to walk you up for… other reasons.’

  ‘Other reasons?’

  ‘Lead the way,’ he said, not expanding on his comment.

  I did so.

  ‘This is me,’ I said, stopping at my front door. ‘Thanks for the security detail.’

  He grinned. ‘I live to serve.’ He bowed, making a rolling motion with his arm, like some medieval courtier.

  I shook my head, laughing. ‘You’re bonkers. And drunk.’

  ‘Not at all,’ he said, returning upright and gaining the height advantage over me once more. ‘OK, maybe a little. On both.’

  ‘You should get back to that taxi. It’s going to cost you a fortune!’

  ‘Probably. I’d much rather stay here with you though.’ He moved closer just as I stepped back, suddenly feeling awkward. Alex pulled a face. ‘OK. That came out totally wrong! I meant staying here now, not in there—’ he pointed at the door ‘—staying. I wasn’t implying that…’

  ‘Good. Because you’d be in for a disappointment.’

  He put a hand up over his eyes for a moment, then ran it back over his hair. ‘This went much more smoothly in my head.’

  I tried not to smile. ‘I see. So, you had it planned, then?’

  ‘No! Well, yes… I mean. Do you always have this effect on men?’

  ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘I never fluff up like this!’

  ‘First time for everything.’

  ‘I’m blaming you. You’ve scrambled my senses.’

  ‘But apparently your cheesy line delivery system is still in full working order.’ I looked up through my lashes at him, now unable to keep the smile off my face.

  ‘That’s pretty indestructible, thank goodness.’

  He looked down at me and took a step closer, taking one of my hands in his. ‘I really enjoyed meeting you today, Libby.’

  ‘I enjoyed meeting you too.’

  ‘Do you think there’s a chance you might enjoy meeting me again, maybe tomorrow night, for dinner?’

  ‘I think there might be.’

  ‘Shall I pick you up here, say seven o’clock?’

  ‘OK.’

  He stood looking down at me, the smile fading a little, my hand still in his. ‘I really want to kiss you goodnight, but I’m going to be a gentleman.’

  ‘OK,’ I said again, mostly because my thoughts were heading along similar lines and it was suddenly all getting a bit warm.

  He bent close, placing a kiss on my cheek, soft and chaste, but when he pulled away I saw the heat in his eyes that I knew was reflected in my own.

  ‘You should go,’ I forced out. ‘The meter.’

  ‘I’d be happy to walk home if it meant staying longer with you.’

  Feeling the shy smile on my face, I dropped my gaze. ‘I’ll
see you tomorrow.’

  He took a deep breath, and his own smile returned. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ he repeated, then quickly stole another kiss and grinned before jogging back towards the waiting taxi. Sliding the key into my lock, I turned as Alex called out, ‘Libby, wait! I don’t have your number.’

  I wasn’t going to be responsible for more time wasted on the grumpy taxi driver’s meter. ‘Charlie has it. You can get it off him.’

  Alex nodded, then waved again, a big grin in place.

  I shut the door, twisted the lock and put my keys in the ceramic bowl on the nearby console table. Glancing up at the mirror above it, I realised he wasn’t the only one wearing a big grin.

  19

  It was late afternoon before Amy responded to my text, and when she answered there was an emoticon with a sad green face and a single word. Ouch.

  I picked up my phone and replied.

  ✉︎ Is it bad?

  The app told me Amy was typing a reply

  ✉︎ It’s getting better. It started off at a 9 this morning but is about a 4 now. Marcus has been amazing looking after me.

  A heart symbol followed this declaration. I smiled. A man that uncomplainingly saw you through a hangover with care and attention was a rare find.

  ✉︎ Good to hear. I hope you feel better soon, honey xx

  I followed this up with a ‘hug’ gif.

  ✉︎ Thanks. Did you get home OK?

  ✉︎ Yep. Taxi with Charlie and Alex

  A shocked-face emoticon arrived. Followed by a devil one.

  ✉︎ Ha ha! Hardly. Although…

  ✉︎ Although what???????

  ✉︎ I’m going out with Alex tonight for dinner…

  My phone rang.

  ‘You are?’ Amy’s voice was raspy, hinting at her fragile state, but my news seemed to have trumped the hangover. ‘Where are you going? How did he ask?’

  I laughed. ‘I’ve no idea where we’re going, and he just sort of asked. He walked me up to the flat and kissed me goodnight.’