The Friends We Keep(38)
There was a long silence.
“Evvie? Are you still there?”
“Yes. I just had a premonition. You’re going to marry him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s no way in hell that’s going to happen. It’s just a drink. Or maybe a bit more. I haven’t even snogged anyone in ages, and Evil Ben remains the best kiss I’ve ever had, so yes, I’m definitely up for some snogging.”
“It’s going to be more than snogging,” said Evvie. “Listen, I really want to stay and chat but I have to leave for a magazine shoot. It’s really good to hear from you and let’s try and speak more regularly, okay?”
“Definitely.” Maggie was a little taken aback by the brevity of the conversation. “Shall I call you after . . .” But suddenly there was the dial tone, and Evvie had gone.
* * *
? ? ?
Ben was on his third pint, Maggie on her second gin and tonic, all the formality that had marked their initial conversation now dulled by the alcohol, and perhaps their mutual excitement at being together. At least, that’s what Maggie hoped. She had never been good at realizing when people liked her, but she could feel the chemistry, and the giveaway sign was that neither of them had stopped smiling since the moment they met.
Evil Ben had clearly matured, relinquishing the scowl that defined her memories of him. Either that, or he liked her. He truly liked her.
She was telling him about her roommate, Lola, and her parents’ menagerie of dogs, cats, and chickens in Kent, much like, she laughed, her own parents’ home in Sussex.
“A group of us are going to stay at Lola’s next weekend while her parents are away. I love living in London, but every now and then the noise gets too much for me and I need my dose of the country.”
“I feel the same. I miss the West Country all the time.”
“Me too. Those were the happiest days of my life. Would you ever move back?”
“That’s the plan,” he said. “When I have enough money, that’s where I’d go. Fresh air and lots of hikes. What could be better? Speaking of hiking, how are your parents?”
Maggie laughed. “I can’t believe you even remember my parents. They’re great. I don’t see them very much right now but I speak to them every week. My brothers are scattered all over the place. One’s in Australia, one’s in America, and the youngest, who you met, is in Glasgow.”
“Glasgow? And the others are in America and Australia? Poor sod! How did he draw the short end of the stick?”
“It isn’t!” Maggie laughed. “He loves it.”
“Do you still hike?”
“Not in London. Unless a shopping trip along Westbourne Grove counts.”
“Depends on how big a backpack you needed.”
“Big. Let me tell you, I had to completely reinvent myself for this job. I have to pretend I’m trendy.” She sighed. “It’s hell. I have to keep a stack of magazines in my bedroom for inspiration. I’ve got no idea what I should be wearing. This is when I wish Evvie still lived with me.”
Ben’s face grew serious. “Are you still in touch with your old friends? Do they come to London ever?”
“Sadly not really. I do speak to them occasionally, but I haven’t seen them in ages. I miss them.” She lost herself for a few seconds, thinking of Topher and Evvie, before shaking her head with a smile to bring herself back to the present. “What about you, Ben? Do you still hike?”
“Not as often as I’d like to. Hey! We should go hiking sometime. I’ve never found anyone to come with me, and much as I like hiking alone, I suspect it would be much more fun with you.”
“I’d love that!” He wants to see me again! she thought.
“What about next weekend?”
Her face fell. “I can’t. That’s the weekend I’m going to Lola’s in Sussex.” An idea dawned. “There’s a big group of us going. If you wanted to come, I’m sure there’d be room.”
“I’m not good with people I don’t know. But thank you. A group of strangers, even with you, is never my idea of a good time. But let’s make a plan to hike. Can I get you another drink?”
“I’m fine. I’m already getting a bit light-headed. I probably shouldn’t have used the straw.”
“Beginner’s mistake.” Ben grinned. “What about something nonalcoholic? I’m going to get myself another beer.”
“A Diet Coke would be lovely.”
* * *
? ? ?
An hour later, Ben insisted on seeing Maggie home in a cab. He left his car—an MG Midget, which, Maggie pointed out, was a decent upgrade from the Spitfire—as Maggie wouldn’t let him drive. He had had too much to drink, and when she hailed a cab, he told her a gentleman would insist on seeing her to the door.
Two hours later, Ben was sprawled on the sofa in Maggie’s living room, watching Eurotrash on Channel 4, while Maggie, unable to stop smiling, cracked eggs into a bowl for one of her omelets, hoping the food would soak up some of the alcohol. She wanted to keep pinching herself—Evil Ben was in her living room! Evil Ben was here!
He was drinking the coffee and the big bottle of water she had set on the coffee table. She kept moving to the doorway to look at him, marveling at how comfortable he seemed, his shoes off, his legs up on the sofa; marveling at how right this scene felt.