Page 60 of One Hot Summer

“What happened?”

“His temper! ‘You out with somebody? Tell me, tell me!’. Luckily, the bar we were in was busy and so it was loud, so no one could really hear him. Anyway, Dan took the phone. Did you know he could speak Italian?”

“Where did he learn that?”

“His grandma, apparently. She was Italian. I can’t believe you didn’t know.” I chose not to remind her that Dan and I never really spent time communicating when we were together. It was more of a physical thing. “Anyway, I haven’t heard from him again since.”

“Wow, Dan to the rescue.” I smiled.

“And there’s other news,” she said, coyly.

“I’m listening…”

“I saw Max.”

“No!” Bing, who had bravely returned to the living room, scarpered once again at my outburst. Nice to know he’d be on hand in an emergency. “When? Did he see you?”

“Yes, I saw him first. Pulled up behind him at the petrol station. Didn’t even realise it was him because… Now, I want to be classy. We’re all adults, decisions were made, and we must be mature. That being said, he looked rough. Not just ‘new parent’ rough. He looked like a completely different person, and not in a good way. He was driving this old, rusty car. No idea what happened to his old one, but there was no way he’d be seen dead in a car like that a few years ago.”

“Did he speak to you?”

“No, but he saw me. I’d just come from a meeting so was suited and booted. He looked mortified, so embarrassed.” She paused again. “Jenny, I know it’s immature, but I made some terrible gestures at him. I don’t think he’s been left in any doubt about how I feel towards him.”

“Sod being mature,” I decided. “Serves him bloody right.”

“You know the best bit though? Seeing him like that, it was strange. For the first time since we broke up, I realised I really am over him. I don’t think I’d care if he turned up on my doorstep tomorrow, begging for me back!”

I laughed and hugged her tightly. “Oh, I’ve missed you. Please can we never break up again?”

“Definitely. Anyway, we have things to do.”

“Indeed we do. Except…” I flashed my engagement ring in her direction. “I have no idea where to start.”

“Don’t you worry. I’ll kick off bridesmaid duties and put together a list of jobs. And I shall crack on with the most important job of all.”

“What’s that?”

“The hen do!”

“Don’t plan anything huge. I’m an old woman now. Just something sensible close to home. No naked men serving onion rings on their penises.” Although, the thought of putting my mother through that made it tempting.

“Nah, I know what we’re doing for your hen do. And it is just perfect.”

“What?”

Sarah was the best party planner, so she would come up with something fantastic, I was sure.

“A long weekend… in Zante!” She screeched with laughter.

This renewed friendship might not last very long.

THE END