Page 31 of My Summer of Magic Moments

Bugger. ‘Not much to tell, I’m afraid, ladies.’

‘Ah, come on, you’ve got to give us more than that,’ Lou coaxed.

‘Okay … yes he was quite good-looking.’

‘And?’

‘How old? Hair colour? Physique?’

‘Is this twenty questions or what?’

‘We need details, Claire.’

‘Thirtyish. Dark blond. Broad shoulders, kind of a swimmer’s torso, I suppose.’

‘Fit then.’

‘Yes, I suppose he was,’ she admitted. ‘And nothing happened.’

‘Shame. Not even a kiss?’

Claire felt herself heating up. Damn – the telltale red blush would be creeping over her cheeks for sure.

‘Hah – I knew it,’ Andrea ploughed in. ‘I knew you’d had a sneaky kiss. Well, good for you. But stop guarding these secrets … we need full information, Miss Maxwell. We’re your friends, and we have a right to know these things.’

They all laughed.

‘Okay, well that’s enough about my very limited love life. What’s happening with you lot?’

‘I’m married with kids,’ said Jo. ‘Not much love life going on at all.’ She laughed.

‘Ah, don’t spoil it, we want to believe you’re still all passionate and loved-up.’

Jo was the only one with a family in their group. ‘Too tired most of the time. It’s been so good to have a night off, I have to confess. Not that I don’t adore them, of course.’

‘Things are looking up for me,’ Lou said shyly.

‘Hey, you never said. New man on the scene?’ Claire was intrigued.

‘Yep.’ A grin spread across her pretty face. ‘As of last month. We met at the gym, believe it or not, over the water cooler. He has the most gorgeous blue eyes.’

‘So did Hannibal Lecter,’ Andrea quipped.

‘Shut up, you. He’s really nice. Works for an engineering company.’

‘So,’ Jo asked, ‘have you had a date yet?’

‘Yep. Three, in fact. It’s going really well.’

‘You dark horse.’ Claire smiled.

‘I just wanted to see how it was going before I told anyone.’

‘Sounds like it’s going more than well. Bloody great, in fact,’ said Jo.

‘Good for you, Lou,’ Andrea commented.

They all knew Lou had had her share of man troubles in the past. Her engagement had been called off when her fiancé had made a bid for freedom, setting off on his own for a world tour just a few months before the wedding date. It was lovely to hear her sounding happy again.