‘I hate tea,’ I bleated ungratefully.
The man led me up a garden path. Through an open door.
‘Come in.’ He steered me into a lounge. Towards a sofa. I sank into its squashy depths. He bent down and busied himself lighting a fire. Warmth seeped into the room. Susie came in with two mugs of tea.
‘Would you like a biscuit?’ she asked kindly.
‘N-no thank you,’ I took one of the mugs. ‘T-terribly sorry. D-didn’t mean to hassle you back there.’
‘S’alright,’ Susie grinned. ‘James was giving me just as much hassle inside his car. I had reached the stage of shouting at him. At least we weren’t far from his house.’
‘James?’ I squawked. ‘You really are James Blunt?’
Susie snorted. ‘He should be so lucky.’
‘James Garvey,’ he said straightening up from the hearth. He took the other mug from Susie.
‘My brother,’ Susie added. ‘I bullied him into taking the day off work. I wanted some extra help with my driving. It’s my test next week. Not sure I’m going to pass it.’
I smiled weakly. ‘I’m Trish by the way. Good luck for next week.’
‘Cheers Trish, I’ll be needing it.’ Susie gave me a rueful smile before turning her attention to James. ‘I’m going to catch my bus home – before this weather brings the roads to a standstill. You know this country can’t cope with a bit of snow. We’ve not even had the gritters out. I’ll see myself off.’ She blew James a kiss before turning to me. ‘See ya.’
The front door banged shut. I took a sip of tea and cleared my throat.
‘I really am terribly sorry.’
James sat down opposite me. He put his tea on the low occasional table between us.
‘Mind telling me what it was all about?’
‘Oh. You know.’
‘No. I don’t.’
And so the whole story tumbled out. In stutters and gasps.
‘I see,’ James eventually said. ‘Well all I can say is...more fool your ex-husband.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Look, I don’t want you to think I’m coming on to you – because I’m not. But you are an attractive woman. Stunning actually,’ James grinned, ‘even with mascara trails down your cheeks.’
‘Oh God,’ I wiped my hands over my face. ‘Look,’ I said putting my mug on the table, ‘I’ve taken up enough of your time. I really should go. Thanks for the tea. And the shoulder.’
‘You’re welcome.’
I picked up my handbag and went through to the hallway. James opened the front door. Outside the snow had stopped.
‘Will you be okay driving?’ he asked.
I smiled. A proper smile. ‘Definitely.’ And I meant it. I stepped out onto the path.
‘Trish?’
‘Yes?’
‘I lied.’
‘Sorry?’
‘About not coming on to you. I don’t suppose you’d like to go out would you? Have something to eat?’
‘What, now?’
‘Why not? I don’t mind the mascara streaks if you don’t.’
I bent down, scooped up a shallow layer of snow from the pathway and rubbed it over my face.
‘Better?’
‘Perfect.’
James wound an arm round my waist. Gently drew me to him. And softly, very softly, kissed me. It was exquisite.
‘There’s just one thing I need to know,’ he whispered, eyes twinkling.
‘What?’ I replied breathlessly.
‘Your car or mine?’
ALSO BY DEBBIE VIGGIANO
Stockings and Cellulite
As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, Cassandra Cherry's life takes a turn for the worse when she stumbles upon husband Stevie lying naked, except for his socks, on a coat-strewn bed with a 45-year-old divorcee called Cynthia. Suddenly single, Cass throws herself into the business of getting over Stevie with gusto. Her main problems now are making her nine-year-old twins happy, juggling a new social life with a return to work and avoiding being arrested by an infuriating policeman who always seems to turn up at the most inopportune moments. Then, just when Cass is least prepared, and much to Stevie's chagrin, she crashes head over heels in love with the last person she'd ever expected.
AVAILABLE NOW AS E-BOOK AND PAPERBACK
ALSO BY DEBBIE VIGGIANO
Flings and Arrows
Steph Garvey has been married to husband Si for 24 years. Steph thought they were soulmates. Until recently. Surely one’s soulmate shouldn’t put Chelsea FC before her? Or boycott caressing her to fondle the remote control? Fed up, Steph uses her Tesco staff discount to buy a laptop. Her friends all talk about Facebook. It’s time to get networking.
Si is worried about middle-age spread and money. Being a self-employed plumber isn’t easy in recession. He’s also aware things aren’t right with Steph. But Si has forgotten the art of romance. Although these days Steph prefers cuddling her laptop to him. Then Si’s luck changes work wise. A mate invites Si to partner up on a pub refurbishment contract.
Son Tom has finished Sixth Form. Tom knows where he’s going regarding a career. He’s not quite so sure where he’s going regarding women and lurches from one frantic love affair to the next.
Widowed neighbour June adores the Garveys as if her own kin. And although 70, she’s still up for romance. June thinks she’s struck gold when she meets salsa squeeze Harry. He has a big house and bigger pension – key factors when you’ve survived a winter using your dog as a hot water bottle. June is vaguely aware that she’s attracted the attention of fellow dog walker Arnold, but her eyes are firmly on Harry as ‘the catch’.
But then Cupid’s arrow misfires causing madness and mayhem. Steph rekindles a childhood crush with Barry Hastings; Si unwittingly finds himself being seduced by barmaid Dawn; June discovers Harry is more than hot to trot; and Tom's latest strumpet impacts on all of them. Will Cupid's arrow strike again and, more importantly, strike correctly? There's only one way to find out....
AVAILABLE NOW AS E-BOOK AND PAPERBACK
ALSO BY DEBBIE VIGGIANO
Lipstick and Lies
41-year old Cassandra Mackerel is loved up and happily re-married to new husband Jamie. Together they have a ready-made family and a six month old baby boy. Juggling her own children with step-children and an infant is both hectic and stressful, especially with a mother-in-law who seems to have taken up permanent residence.
Cass has a strong support system in good friend and new mum Morag – who is the fourth Mrs Harding with more step-children she can keep up with – and also old neighbour and great pal Nell who has a baby girl.
Rising to the challenge of a second marriage and the emotional baggage that comes with it is tough. The last thing Cass needs is the reappearance of husband Jamie’s ex-girlfriend Selina. Gorgeous and glamorous but utterly unstable, Selina once stalked Cass and contrived to split her and Jamie up. And now Selina is engaged to Jamie’s business partner, Ethan Fareham. Seemingly it is appalling coincidence.
Cass can’t shake the feeling that Selina is up to her old tricks. And she's right to be worried. For if Selina has her way, she’ll split Cass and Jamie up permanently. Because this time it’s murder...
AVAILABLE NOW AS EBOOK AND PAPERBACK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Prior to turning her attention to writing, Debbie Viggiano was, for more years than she cares to remember, a legal secretary. She lives in leafy Swanley Village in Kent with her husband, children, a food-obsessed beagle and a cat that thinks it's a dog.
www.debbieviggiano.com
###
ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
Mixed Emotions Page 8
