Million Love Songs(47)

‘Only in the film,’ Graham counters.

‘He buys a necklace, but it’s not actually for her,’ Emily tells us.

‘It’s a good job you’ve seen it,’ Joe whispers to me.

‘I thought you liked him.’ Graham is clearly piqued. ‘You said you did.’

‘I didn’t.’ She’s very affronted now. ‘I only like him in Robin Hood.’

‘You said this was your favourite film.’

‘I like Notting Hill better.’

‘Guys, guys,’ Joe says. ‘Not a good time for a domestic. Introduce the film.’

‘This is Love, Actually by Richard Curtis,’ Graham says. ‘We hope that you enjoy it.’

As we applaud, they stand up and take their seats in the front row. Emily takes the opportunity to dig her beau sharply in the ribs. The lights go down and the film starts.

I know it’s cheesier than a ripe Camembert but I love this film. Even the opening sequence makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. It’s not high art, I get that, but it pushes all my buttons. Unrequited love, heartbreak, misunderstandings, longing, loss – frankly, all of my life is written large here. I’ll cry at the end, I know I will. I always do. I check that I’ve got a tissue in my back pocket.

It feels weird sitting here with Joe in the dark. Weirdly nice. His arm is resting lightly against mine and I don’t know if it’s deliberate or whether the seats are just too close together. The warmth of his big solid body is comforting. Maybe it would be nice to go on a proper date with him, I think – as Graham views it. Just us and no one else. A date where we aren’t doing something like scuba-diving or he’s working. Perhaps it might happen, in time. If he sorts himself out with his ex and his kids. I wonder how long that will take? I could be on one of those wheelie walking frames by then. I offer him the box of Maltesers and he dips in.

We get to the bit where Martin Freeman and that nice girl off Gavin and Stacey are in the buff acting out a porn scene and a voice shouts out from the back. ‘Are they having SEX?’

‘Pipe down, Billy,’ Joe says with a smile.

Huge stage whisper. ‘They are having sex.’

Joe turns to me. ‘I think I need to vet the film more carefully next time.’ We both smother a laugh.

So it goes throughout the film, every time someone kisses, shows skin or does venture towards having sex, Billy shouts out, ‘They’re doing it AGAIN!’

Which kind of detracts from the film and adds to it at the same time. I think Billy definitely needs a girlfriend. We have ice cream at the interval and when the film ends, despite having seen it a dozen or more times, I still cry at the end.

In the foyer afterwards, I wait while Joe says goodbye to some of the families and I help Eamon to tidy up behind the bar and then give the girl with the sweets a hand in packing them away.

‘Sorry about that,’ Joe says when he’s finished.

‘No worries. You’re working. I understand that.’ Then I take my courage in both hands. ‘Do you fancy going for a drink or a coffee somewhere?’

‘Now?’ Joe looks as surprised as I feel.

‘It’s not late.’

He hesitates for a moment before saying, ‘I can’t. I’m sorry. I need to see that the residents are safely home. One or two of them like to wander off when no one’s looking. Plus I’m on the clock with Gina. The kids are in school tomorrow.’

‘Oh, I thought they were staying overnight with her.’

He gives a hollow laugh. ‘I should be so lucky.’

‘It doesn’t matter. It was silly of me to ask.’ Wasn’t it just.

‘Another time though,’ he adds quickly. ‘It would be great.’

‘Yeah. Of course.’ I try not to sound disappointed but it’s never going to happen. He has commitments. Loads of them. I get that. ‘Thanks for a nice evening.’

‘I bet you go home and watch it in peace now without Billy’s commentary.’

‘That made it much more fun,’ I say earnestly. ‘You have some very nice people living here.’

‘I’d better go.’ Joe glances over his shoulder, distracted. ‘I’ll see you at scuba-diving?’

‘Yeah. Sure.’

‘Thanks for coming, Ruby.’

‘My pleasure.’ I have to say this is possibly the most chaste date I’ve ever had. It’s not exactly a date though, is it? Never was.

As I turn to leave, he catches my wrist and kisses me lightly on the cheek. ‘I mean it about coffee,’ he says. ‘Let’s do it soon.’

‘OK.’ Then he dashes off to help someone carrying chairs.

I stand and watch him for a moment longer. And as I walk to the car, I have to stop myself from touching my cheek where he kissed it.





Chapter Thirty-Nine





I drive home with a stupid smile on my face. Despite the refusal at the coffee fence, that was a good evening, all considered. Good film, Maltesers, cold ice-cream, hot man. The promise of a coffee-based date? Maybe. I’m still grinning when I pull up outside my granny annexe. That’s until I see Mason’s fancy car parked there.

I turn off my engine and sit in my car for a moment, wondering what to do. I’m going to have to get out, aren’t I? I can hardly sit here all bloody night. He knows it’s me in my slightly mouldy Mazda. With a sigh, I open the door. I’ve no idea what to say to him.