Love Me Till Wednesday (Sapphire Stars #1)

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The vibration of a phone notification woke Lisa up. She’d nodded off on the sofa in the kitchen. What time was it? She rubbed her bleary eyes and focused on the clocks. 12.20. Was Nick still at Jim’s? She checked the screen. Neither of them had been in touch, but there was another message from Mel:

Just watched a trailer for tonight’s show. I didn’t expect Nick to be on there too.

Lisa huffed. She bet Mel didn’t. She was probably bricking it now, wondering what Nick had said to her. Lisa still wasn’t ready to speak to Mel but she ought to say something. She didn’t want her squeezing in a visit to No 39 on the way to the airport.

Neither did I. Andy engineered it.

She couldn’t bring herself to add a kiss on the end like she usually did. Three dots appeared.

Did you have chance to talk to him properly? x

She was fishing. Worried probably. Well, she could carry on sweating.

Have a great break in Malaga. See you on Tuesday evening. I’ll fill you in on the details then.

It would be very tempting to fill her in in every sense.

Nick stood in Jim’s hallway. ‘I’m sorry I’ve got to go, but I’m due at my mother’s at three thirty. Your grandmother’s, I suppose should say.’

‘I’d like to meet her,’ Jim said.

‘I’m sure she’ll be eager to meet you too once she knows you exist. I’ll break it to her gently this afternoon.’ Nick still wasn’t sure how he was going to slip that momentous news into the conversation without shocking his mum.

Jim nodded. ‘Well, safe journey to Birmingham and back to LA.’

‘Actually, I’ve decided to stop here for a few more days. Perhaps we can have another chat tomorrow?’ He hoped Jim would suggest meeting the rest of his family at some point, but he didn’t want to push it.

‘I’m going to a wedding tomorrow with Ally and the girls.’ Jim looked thoughtful. ‘Why don’t you come to Mum’s for Sunday lunch instead? The whole clan will be there.’

The chance to meet his grandchildren, Lisa’s cooking, and Lisa. Nick wasn’t going to turn down that offer. ‘I’d love to.’

Lisa could do with another nap before going to Nick’s hotel later. Otherwise, she’d be falling asleep in her dessert.

But first, she ought to work out what to wear. Nick wouldn’t be expecting her to dress up, would he ?

You don’t want to look too attractive. You won’t be able to resist his advances if he tries it on.

Which wasn’t very helpful, but sadly true. After this morning’s chats and the trip in the hearse, she was in no doubt how much she’d missed him, physically and mentally. But he’s not available, and you’re happy being single .

She went upstairs to go through her wardrobe. As she moved the clothes one by one along the rail, nothing seemed to call out to her. Just pick something!

She eventually settled on a turquoise loose silk blouse, which went well with her jeans. She always felt confident in that. And it would look smart enough to give the impression she’d made an effort, but not overly sexy. Perfect.

Her phone rang just as she was hanging it back up again. Jim. Her heart was in her mouth as she answered. ’Hi darling, everything ok?’

‘Yeah, more than ok. He was kind, and he seemed genuinely interested in me. I see why you loved him now.’

Lisa felt the tension ease in her shoulders. ‘I’m so glad. Are you meeting him again?’

‘I’ve invited him to Sunday lunch. I assume that’s ok.’

‘Yes, of course.’ Lisa tried to sound upbeat, but now she was going to have to worry about what to cook. At least it would take her mind off this evening.

Nick was woken up by the sensation of Brad gently shaking his shoulder. ‘We’re here, Nick’

‘Where?’ he asked, opening his eyes.

‘Your mum’s. You’ve been asleep since we got on the M40.’

‘Sorry I’ve not been sparkling company today,’ Nick said as he looked out at the house.

‘Don’t worry about it.’ Brad held the passenger door open for Nick to get out. ‘I’ll be back in an hour. ’

‘Yes. That’s fine. Thanks,’ Nick got out of the Range Rover and grabbed the bag containing Jim’s photo album from the back seat. He’d decided that going through that would be the best way to introduce Jim into the conversation.

When he turned towards the house, the front door was already open, and his mother was walking along the hallway towards the living room. Odd. She usually waited to greet him in the doorway.

He went inside and shut the door.

‘Mum!’ he shouted.

‘I’m in the lounge,’ she called.

She was sitting in her old armchair when he walked in. It looked tattier than ever. He’d offered to buy her a new one the last time he was here, but she insisted it was comfortable and that she didn’t want to change it. ‘You bought me a house. I’m not expecting anything else from you,’ she’d insisted.

‘Hello Dom, my love.’ She was looking thinner than he remembered.

He bent over to kiss her on the cheek. ‘Mum, are you ok? You sound out of breath.’

‘Don’t worry about that. Just old age catching up with me. I’ll be fine in a minute. How about you? You’re looking tired too.’

‘I’ve not had much sleep since I landed at Heathrow yesterday.’

‘All that jetting about isn’t good for you. I’ll make you a cup of tea when I’ve got my breath back.’

‘No, I’ll do it.’

She didn’t object like she usually did.

‘Do you still take one sugar?’ he asked.

‘Your sister insists I have it without. She says it’s bad for me. ’

That sounded like Paula. Always bossing everyone about. ‘I won’t tell her if you don’t,’ he whispered conspiratorially.

She laughed, which turned into a cough. She leaned back in the chair and shut her eyes.

‘Have you seen a doctor recently?’

‘Yes, yes. Don’t fuss.’

He went into the kitchen and started making the tea. While he was waiting for the kettle to boil, he sent Paula a text.

At mum’s. She’s not looking well.

His sister replied straight away.

I told you a couple of months ago that she’d had a stroke.

She had but his mother had downplayed it at the time. ‘Nothing a couple of days in bed won’t fix,’ she’d said when he phoned her.

You said it was just a minor one.

Paula replied.

It was but it’s slowed her down. You should have seen her the day after. She looked awful.

Nick felt guilty. He should have made the effort to fly over. He could’ve rejigged his diary somehow.

She sounded alright on the phone.

The three dots went on and off for a while. He sensed Paula was about to give him a bollocking .

Because she makes an effort for the few minutes when you speak to her once in a blue moon! Can you try to persuade her to have some help? She refuses when I suggest it but you’re her golden boy. She’ll listen to you.

A golden boy who neglects his own mother. She deserved a better son than that after all the encouragement she’d given him when he was younger. He’d try to make up for it now. He carried the mugs back into the living room.

‘Just put it on the table, love,’ his mother said. ‘We’ve got a lot to talk about.’

‘Yes, we have. Like you needing some help.’

‘That’s not what I meant. I’m talking about your boy.’

So much for worrying about how to break the news to her. Nick flopped down on the old sofa next to her chair. ‘How did you know about Jim?’

‘It was the talk of the church ‘knit and natter’ club this morning. I felt such a fool when Rosemary pulled out her phone and showed me a photo of you sitting next to a young man who looked the dead spit of you. I was so shocked I dropped several stitches. I had to unravel three rows to get back on track again.’

‘I’m sorry. I knew nothing about him either until last night.’

She leaned forward in her chair and held his hand. ‘Oh, my poor Dom. Do you know much more now?’

‘We spent all morning talking.’

‘Good. Tell me everything.’