Page 84 of Paper Roses

“And I suppose this attitude is all down to your new husband?”

I wink at him. “I know. Isn’t it wonderful?” I check my watch and stand up. “Well, I must be off.”

He sneers. “Got to go and put your husband to bed with a hot water bottle. Maybe make him a milky drink and lay out his flannel pyjamas?”

He’s been thwarted, so his charm has vanished the way it always does. It’s his mum’s fault. She’s lovely, but she always babied him and taught him that his needs were more important than anyone else’s.

I stare at him for a moment, not shy about my annoyance, and he looks slightly chastened. “Jed doesn’t wear pyjamasbecause it would be a crime to cover that body up, and I don’t need to warm the sheets for him. We burn them up together.” I tap his open mouth shut. “Be happy, Ben.”

I leave the bar. I know I won’t be seeing him again, and the thought makes me feel strangely free.

My phone rings after I start the walk home, and Daisy’s contact picture pops up. “Hey, you,” I say happily. “How are you?”

There’s an almost startled pause. “Why are you talking so loudly?”

“Was I?” I grin. “Maybe it’s because I just told Ben what I thought about him.”

“Ben, your ex?”

“That’s the one.”

“Oh my god, tell me what you said to that fucking tool and make itextremelydetailed.”

She never liked him, and she laughs loudly as I relate the events of the evening. “That’s fucking epic, Artie. I’msoproud of you.” She pauses and her voice is thoughtful when she speaks again. “So, let me get this straight. You were being nice to him until he was rude about Jed?”

I blink. “Yes, I suppose that’s one way to look at it.”

“But why are you so bothered by him being nasty?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I really can’t see Jed ever being bothered by anything that arsewipe had to say.”

I hesitate. “Well, I know. But Jed is so lovely to me, and I feel a certain loyalty and—” I stop as she blows a raspberry. “Daisy?”

“Oh my god, you’resleepingwith him.”

I lick my lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure, Pinocchio. Save it for Geppetto. You’re sleeping with him.”

I sigh. I can never keep anything from her. “Okay, I am.”

She screeches. “Iknewit.” There’s a brief silence. “Are you being careful?” she asks, her tone concerned.

My cheeks flush, probably as bright as Rudolf’s red nose. “Ofcourse,” I mutter. “He takes care of everything.”

“That wasn’t what I meant, sweetie. I know how you feel about him.”

“Daisy, I’m fine,” I say firmly. “I have the chance to be with him the way I’ve always wanted, and so I’ll take it for the time we have. I never thought I’d get this opportunity, and it’s all good.”

“And you say he takes care of you?”

“Yes, of course. He looks after me. He’s more than I ever thought he would be.”

There’s another long pause. Then she says, her voice light and airy, “Well, that’s great. I’m so happy.”

“You are?”

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