Page 26 of Five Things I Love About You

‘No. No family.’

‘Seems a long way to come then, all the way from London.’

God, are all Geordies this nosey or have I just been unlucky?

‘I guess it is. I just fancied a change.’

I hope he’s going to stop quizzing me now, and luckily he’s distracted by Gladys who, after finally removing her head from my feet, has peed all over his shoe.

‘Oh, Gladys man, you nearly got me trousers!’ He scoots away and I can’t help laughing. He looks at me, surprised, and I try to stop, but I must still be grinning because he starts grinning too. ‘Bloody dog. Honestly. She’s got no manners.’

‘She looks quite pleased with herself.’

‘She always does.’ He tickles Gladys behind the ear and she tips her head to one side, enjoying the attention. ‘I’m just glad it didn’t go all over you too.’

‘She’s all right, aren’t you, sweetie?’ She wags her tail and I swear she smiles at me.

‘I’m Matt by the way.’

Definitely not Jay, then. Of course it isn’t. As if it was going to be that easy.

I realise he is holding out his hand and I reach out to shake it. His palm is soft and warm.

‘Hi, Matt. I’m Miranda.’

‘That’s a nice name. I don’t think I’ve ever met a Miranda before.’

‘We’re very nice,’ I say.

‘You seem it.’

We sit for a few more minutes and watch people stroll past. A small child falls off a balance bike in front of us and his dad scoops him up over one shoulder, picking the bike up in the other. My heart aches for a time when my children were this small; when I was still with Nick and I thought our future together was guaranteed. It seems like a million years ago.

‘Am I the first Geordie you’ve met since you got here?’ Matt says, and my attention comes back to right now.

‘I guess you are,’ I say.

‘Well, we’re very nice too.’

‘You seem it.’ I clear my throat, suddenly shy. ‘Although, I’m actually here to look for one. Another Geordie that is.’

‘Oh?’ He’s looking at me with his eyebrows raised.

‘Yeah, I…’ I flush and look down at my lap, already regretting mentioning it.

He waits.

‘It’s a guy I met in… um… in London.’

‘I see. And he’s from Newcastle, is he?’

I don’t dare look up because I don’t know whether I want to see the expression on his face. ‘He is.’

‘And what else do you know about this man apart from where he lives?’

My face is burning and I let my hair drop across my cheek to disguise it. ‘Not much. Only that he’s called Jay or… or James. And I think he has a dog.’ I glance at him. He’s studying me with what I assume to be interest, but could just as easily be pity. ‘I know it sounds mad but I just… my boyfriend cheated on me and I lost my job and I just felt as though I needed a fresh start so I thought…’ I trail off. What on earth am I doing, spilling my guts to man I’ve only just met? I clear my throat. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to tell you my life story.’

He shrugs. ‘Don’t worry. People always seem to tell me stuff. I must have a friendly face. Maybe I should be a therapist, then I could charge for it.’ He smiles to show he’s joking. ‘Not that I’m saying you need one.’

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