Love Me Till Wednesday (Sapphire Stars #1)

19

19

‘Hello, you.’ Lisa said as she opened her front door to Pete. She looked at the two large suitcases standing next to him. ‘I thought you were just staying for the weekend.’

‘I know I’m not officially moving in till next week, but I’ve brought a few things with me today so I can fit everything else in the car next weekend. That’s ok, isn’t it?’

‘Yeah, of course. Your room’s ready. You can start moving in whenever.’

‘Sorry, I’m late. The traffic was horrendous.’ He lifted his cases into the hall.

‘I was worried I’d have to see Ed and Tez on my own.’

‘They won’t bite,’ he laughed.

‘I know, but I’m not sure they’ve ever completely forgiven me for splitting the Stars up.’

‘You can make up for it now by getting us back together again.’ He hugged her. ‘I told you both of them were dead keen when I suggested it, so stop fretting. They wouldn’t be making the effort to trek over this way if they didn’t want to do it. But they might get pissed off we’re late, so I guess I better take these upstairs when we get back.’

‘Yeah,’ Lisa said.

‘Is anything else bothering you? ’

‘It’s just been a heavy day, that’s all.’ She didn’t want to go into the ins and outs of Adam Evans-Johnson’s offer. Despite being adamant about not selling to him earlier, now the anger was fading, she was beginning to think she should have accepted the ￡3 million to get it all over and done with.

’Sounds like a drink with old friends is just what you need to take your mind off it all.’

She laughed. ‘Let’s go.’

Pete held the pub door open for Lisa. She walked into a very different Butcher’s Arms to the one she’d set foot in when she’d last been here. Nick was with her then. Their favourite table was still in the righthand corner, but there was no jukebox next to it now. The sticky carpet had been removed, revealing the old floorboards. The dart board had gone, as had the snug. She grinned at the menu board, which started with ‘Pan-seared scallops served on pea puree’. All very gastropub. No sign of cheesy chips, ham and beans, which had been the band’s staple diet back then.

Pete walked in behind her. ‘Changed a bit, hasn’t it?’

‘You could say that. I preferred the old version. It’s like all the other pubs in London now. Impersonal. Someone should start a new chain of late 20 th century themed pubs.’

‘Complete with a jukebox you have to kick and a grumpy landlord. Give it a few years, and they probably will.’

A young waiter approached them. ‘Would you like a table for two?’

‘We’re waiting for some friends. We’re just meeting for a drink,’ she said.

‘That’s fine. The area over there is for socials.’ He pointed to some old leather couches arranged around low tables.

Pete picked the furthest couch. ‘You sit opposite me,’ he said .

‘You don’t trust me to sit next to you now?’

‘It’s not that. I don’t want it to feel like an us and them scenario.’

‘I thought you said they were keen?’

‘They are, but it would still be better not to split into factions. You can argue about it with Ed, if you like.’ Pete nodded towards the man walking in and looking around.

Ed waved. ‘Lisa!’

He marched over to her and pulled her into a hug. ‘I’m so glad we’re doing this. Tez gave me a lift. He’s just parking the car. What are we all having?’