Page 43 of The Suitcase Swap

Mike sighed. ‘Here’s the plan, Lee. You’re going to bring us our bill. Then after we pay, you’re going to go home sick. Sophie and I are going to help you get home, okay?’

‘You are?’ Lee smiled at this. ‘That’s nice.’

‘Go and get the bill, Lee,’ Sophie reminded him. The waiter darted away, hopefully to return soon with their bill.

Mike slumped in his chair. ‘I’m beginning to think that we shouldn’t be allowed out together. Things always go wrong.’

Sophie watched as Lee came back out, pausing in front of the terrarium. She pushed her chair out and stood. ‘Well, for Lee’s sake, I think it’s probably very good that we did.’

Mike followed her gaze and cursed. ‘He’s going to free that bloody snake and lose his job.’ He stood up abruptly. ‘We’d better hurry.’

Chapter Twelve

After they’d paid their bill, Mike decided that trying to manage Lee on the subway would be nothing short of a nightmare and ordered a rideshare instead. Twenty minutes later they dropped Lee off to his confused but grateful roommate. As they left Lee’s building and stepped back onto the pavement, Sophie rested a hand on Mike’s arm. ‘I have an idea.’

‘That we should charge that tea place with crimes against humanity?’

Sophie laughed. ‘No. We’re going to go back to my flat. On the way there, we’re going to stop at the store and pick up a few things. Then we’re going to have a proper cup of tea.’

Mike looked at her gratefully. ‘That might be the best thing I’ve heard all day.’

It was only as they stepped over the threshold to her flat that a few salient facts filtered into Mike’s mind, the first of which was that he was going to be in Sophie’s flat. The second of which was that they would be alone. This was followed by a swift and almost overwhelming feeling of panic. It washed over him like a big wave and his mouth went dry.

As Sophie started unloading their purchases, he dropped a text in the family group chat as he tried to wrestle with himself.Having tea with Sophie. Panicking.

He instantly regretted it. He should have kept it to himself. Mike didn’t usually bring his kids into his business like this. Except since he’d met Sophie, he’d been doing it more, hadn’t he? What was it about her? And text . . . text madeit easier to find the words. That didn’t necessarily mean he needed to do it, however. He was just pressing the screen with his thumb in the hope of deleting the message, when he realized he was already too late.

Noah: We need more details. Outside? Cosy setting? What?

Mike: At her flat.

Noah: Ooooooh.

Amaya: It’s just tea, Dad. She didn’t exactly invite you to an orgy. It will be fine.

Rahul: I thought we’d banned that word from the chat?

Amaya: We’ve banned sex, nubile, moist and soggy bottoms. We haven’t yet banned orgy.

Mike: We’re banning it now.

Noah: Can I just say your family chats are sooo much more interesting than mine. Unless Nana has been at the sherry again. Three-drink Nana is absolutely wild.

Rahul: Three-drink Nana is my favourite. I love her.

Mike: Can we focus please?

Noah: Sorry. What’s causing the panic? Do you not want to be there? Do you need to leave? Is this a very polite hostage situation?

Amaya: She’s not going to force you to do anything you don’t want to do, Dad. Do you think she has any expectations?

Mike glanced up at Sophie, who was filling the kettle at the sink. Did he think she had any expectations? He grimaced.After the debacle of the carousel night, no, I don’t think so.

Amaya: Then just enjoy tea with a friend. She’s hardly going to demand that you make out.

Rahul: Make out? What are you, American now?

Amaya: I like learning phrases from other countries. Get cultured, you swine.

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