Stuart’s name thumped me in the gut. “Stuart is my ex-boyfriend. A nobody. He got someone else pregnant behind my back, I couldn’t give a fuck about him anymore.”
“That’s why I’m here!” she wailed. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, if you weren’t too busy with these weirdos to listen to your fucking messages!”
I folded my arms. “What are you here to tell me?”
“It’s Stu,” she said. “He’s not the father! Carly admitted it the other night, admitted it clean out. The baby isn’t his, Lyds, it was all lies. I doubt he even fucked her in that alleyway, not really. She may have sucked him off, sure, but I don’t think he took it all the way, he was too drunk to remember, and she took advantage. He’s not going to be a dad, Lyddie, he’s not, and he’s so bloody sorry, all he wants is to make it right with you. It’s his second chance, Lyds, he knows how bad he’s messed up.”
“I don’t want Stuart,” I seethed. “Baby or no, it makes no odds. I don’t love him anymore.”
She turned purple, her bottom lip jutting out in rage. “You’d rather a man that beats the crap out of you, would you? You’ve lost the fucking plot, lady, these people have fucked with your mind.”
I looked at the clock, horrified to find just ten minutes to spare. I lost my temper, needing her out and away before my twisted-as-sin chaperone crashed her little monologue.
“I’m happy, Steph. Just leave me the fuck alone, will you? I don’t want Stuart, I’m not coming back to yours, I don’t want your cutesy little life of peaches and cream and evening quiz shows. I want to be here.”
“You don’t mean that,” she screeched. “You don’t know what you’re saying!”
“FUCK OFF!” I yelled. “Can I make it any more clear to you?”
She slammed her mouth shut, eyes like cinders. “Fine, Lydia, I’ll leave, but this won’t be the end of it, not by a fucking long shot. You’re my friend, and friends don’t abandon each other, friends are always there!”
I marched her to the door. “I appreciate it, Steph, honest I do. We’ll clear this up another day, OK? I’ll call you.”
I slammed the door before she could object, praying she was well clear before James arrived.
***
James watched me across the table. He’d picked well, Italian cuisine over candlelight. His eyes looked darker than ever, sucking in all the light in the room.
“So here we are, Lydia, you and I out for dinner.”
I raised my glass. “So we are.”
“Talk to me, Cat’s eyes. Regale me with conversation, that’s what couples do over dinner, isn’t it? They talk.”
“What do you want to know?” I smiled.
“Besides from how your sweet your piss tastes?” he breathed, so low I could only just hear him.
“Besides from that, yes.”
“Tell me about little Lydia Marsh. What’s new, pussycat?”
I took a breath. “Well, my mum’s met someone,” I said. “He seems ok this time.”
“Really?” he smiled. “Not another loser out for money and free rent, then?”
“Doesn’t seem to be, not from the bit I’ve heard. He’s got a job. A good job. A warehouse manager apparently. Divorced, two adult children, likes hiking and snooker and foreign travel.”
“Ideal step-daddy material.”
“Steady on,” I grinned. “And get this, he’s teetotal. Doesn’t drink a drop.”
“Well, that is good news, surely?”
“I can hope. She seems really happy. He doesn’t want to move in yet or anything, happy in his own place. They met at bingo, when Auntie Syl dragged Mum a few weeks back. He was there with a neighbour, keeping her company. It went from there.”
James raised his glass, leaning forward across the table until it clinked into mine. “Well, that does sound promising. Here’s to Mr Bingo, and all the happiness love can bring.”
“To Mr Bingo,” I smiled. “And to us, James, to our beautiful, screwed-up thing.”
“I note you didn’t use the word relationship.”
“Would you want me to?” I asked, eyes hard on his.
“I’ll let you know when I know.” He winked at me, and it set my stomach into a dither. “Sensible James is ironing a few things out, give him a chance to get his bearings.”
“He can take his time.” I reached across the table for his hand, and he didn’t pull away. “Thing will do just fine for the moment.”
“To our thing, Lydia,” he toasted afresh.