his woolly jumper. I obviously resisted on that occasion, but tonight I want to make up for that, I want to hold him, and kiss him and I can’t wait to sleep with him. It’s like something’s awakened inside me that I can’t ignore – and I don’t want to because this time it feels so right.
Harry told me after Christmas that he’d broken up with Gemma, and I could see he was hurting. But through it all, he’s been so supportive and kind in the aftermath of Alex and I could feel things change between us since that terrible night in Devon. Harry says he felt it too.
Of course, Jas is doing the usual, even today she said, ‘don’t go on this date tonight, you can’t start a thing with a colleague, it’ll be embarrassing when it doesn’t work out.’ She even had the cheek to say he might not be as innocent as he seems, and that I’ll fall too quickly, and regret it – again.
But, as I said to her, ‘Just because you were right about Alex doesn’t mean every relationship I start will end in murder and mayhem. I mean, this is Harry we’re talking about.’
I realise now, she says these things because she finds it hard when I’m in a relationship and she isn’t, she doesn’t want to lose her best friend. And she won’t, I’ll always be there for her like she’s always been there for me.
‘I don’t want to be presumptuous, but I wondered if – on Friday, you’d like to try that new Indian restaurant on Foregate Street?’ Harry’s saying now, with a twinkle in his eye. ‘If you’re free?’
‘I am,’ I say feeling a familiar rush, like I’m about to embark on an exciting journey. My head’s telling me to hold on tight, but my heart is jumping right in. After everything, you’d think I’d be reluctant to start another relationship, but this just feels right to me. As if to confirm this, Harry reaches over and squeezes my hand.
‘Who’d have thought it?’ He sighs. ‘Both with other people, getting on with our lives, we didn’t even notice each other – and yet, here we are.’
‘Yeah, and we had to go through quite a lot to get to this place,’ I say.
‘Do you think we’ll tell our four kids about everything that happened to lead us to this?’ he asks.
‘Perhaps not everything.’ I pull an alarmed face, and he laughs.
Then my phone starts to beep.
‘It’s the hospital,’ I say, ‘must be Chloe.’
He looks at me anxiously as I answer the phone, I can see he’s as desperate as I am for news, both praying for her to be awake and well again.
‘What?’ he’s mouthing, as I nod into the receiver.
‘I’m on my way,’ I say, into the phone, as he stares at me desperate to know.
‘You’ll never guess…’ I start, as he stares at me, unsure if the news is good or bad, not knowing how to react.
‘Chloe’s woken up, and…’ I pause. ‘She’s talking, Harry.’
The blood has drained from his face, and I can see it’s been as big an ordeal for Harry as it has for me.
’It’s okay, the police are with her,’ I add breathlessly. ‘Apparently she knows the guy who gave her the drugs, he was the one she’d slept with – and right this minute, she’s telling them everything.’ I look into his eyes and melt to see tears.
‘Come on, you old softie, let’s go and see her,’ I say. I’m unable to wipe the smile from my face as I get up to leave. ‘Harry, we’ve got our miracle!’
If you were utterly gripped by First Date, don’t miss Sue’s unputdownable novel The Sister-in-Law, where a family is torn apart by a woman seemingly intent on destroying everything they hold dear.
Buy now!
The Sister-in-Law
Buy now!
‘You don’t think Jamie and I have secrets, do you? No, we tell each other everything.’ She smiled. ‘Including your dirty little secret. So maybe it’s time to start being nice to me?’
THE WIFE: Clare is ready for a break. It’s been a tough year and now she wants to put her feet up. Arriving at the Italian villa for their summer holiday, she decides it’s high time her husband and his family did some of the work. After all, her husband owes her…
THE HUSBAND: Even though Dan had his head turned by someone else, he’s realised the error of his ways. He’s here now, and he says it’s for keeps. Clare can