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“Well, okay then, as long as you won’t be alone,” said the paramedic. He smiled and left. The door clicked shut behind him.

Chesty caught my eye.Did he know I waslying?

I rummaged through my bag, pretending to look for something, and my phone pinged again. Perfect timing.

James:What’shappening?

Me:All done. We’re goinghome.

James:WE? Who iswe?

Me:Me and the guy I was stuckwith.

James:You got stuck in a lift with a man?! AND YOU’RE ONLY TELLING ME THISNOW??

I ignored him.

James:Andrea! DO NOT IGNOREME!

Me:Yes. Aman.

Probably best I left out the part where the lift fell, and he pulled me on top of him. He’d go into orbit.

James:Well? Single? Sexy? Employed? I sincerely hope you got hisdetails!

I sent him an eye roll emoji. The less James knew about hot lift guy, the better.

Me:Just a guy. Not much to tell. I’ll fill you inlater.

I looked up. Chesty was watching me like I might keel over sideways. He still didn’t look like he was leaving.

I inspected my knees and tried to think. What did you say to a man you’d just survived an elevator disaster with?Thanks for cushioning my entire body with your (very firm) torso, but you can leavenow?

No. That didn’t quite work.

James:You’d better fill me in! Good Lord, woman. Single less than a day and already your life’s starting to sound like a low-budget porno. I’mimpressed.

I ignored that, too.

Me:How much trouble am I in withGerald?

James:Zero. New owner didn’tshow.

Me:What?

James:Flight was delayed or something. Postponed till tomorrow. I do have some major goss, though…

I sent him a popcorn emoji and waited.

No reply.

Damn James and his love of suspense.

I stood. I still felt shaky, and the room was too hot.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Chesty was looking at me, frowning.

“Well, my lipstick’s come off and my hair’s a disaster, but medically speaking, thriving.” I tried a grin, but it felt stiff, like I’d borrowed it from someone else’s face.