Page 47 of Not Moving Out
‘Yes, that’s it. It’s actually very liberating, and it makes you feel incredible afterwards.’
‘Sounds bracing but I think I’ll stick to my usual morning routine, thank you very much.’
‘What would that be, exactly?’
‘Well,’ said Sam, popping his pod in the machine and pushing it down, before he slid his mug beneath. The machine started to rumble and whirr. ‘I usually rise at six.’
‘Six? That’s early.’
‘Early birds, worms, etcetera. I’ve always been an early riser since boarding school.’
‘What’s next?’
‘I normally go for a run, then I shower, shave, before it’s breakfast and the newspaper.’
‘Let me guess…The Times?’
‘Shit, am I that obvious?’
‘Depends,’ I said with a smile, as Sam finished making his coffee. ‘Let me see if I can guess what you eat for breakfast?’
‘Go on then. It’s pretty much the same three things on rotation, if that helps.’
‘Right, let me see,’ I said, pondering. ‘One has to be soft boiled eggs and soldiers. You seem like the soft boiled eggs and soldiers type.’
‘Correct. Although is there a type for that?’
‘Definitely. Porridge?’
‘Two out of three. I’m getting concerned I’m either that predictable or you’re stalking me.’
‘Last one. I was thinking something posh like kedgeree or perhaps an old staple like a bacon sandwich, but I think I’m going to go with toast. Everyone likes toast, and I’m thinking Marmite?’
‘Seriously, Freya, do you have a spy camera inside my kitchen because that’s three out of three?’
‘I’m just very good at reading people.’
‘You’ll make a bloody good solicitor one day.’
‘Hopefully,’ I said, and we both picked up our coffees. ‘Have a good day, Sam.’
‘Yes, you too, Freya,’ said Sam, smiling at me, and I smiled back, and I definitely felt something pass between us. I wasn’t sure what it was exactly – an attraction perhaps? – but it was definitely something. How had I never noticed it before? Surely it hadn’t just appeared the moment Joe and I separated? Hadn’t we always got along, and hadn’t I always found him attractive? I started feeling guilty that perhaps I had harboured secret sexual feelings for Sam Becket even while Joe and I were more happily married, but then I realised it definitely wasn’t the case. I had always appreciated the fact he was good-looking, and we had always got along as friends and colleagues, but that part of my brain that allowed attraction to blossom had been turned off. It was like walking past a restaurant where the food smelled incredible, but you were already full. It was just a nice idea if the situation was different.
The message arrived at just after two o’clock:
Fancy a drink tonight?
It was from Sam. I couldn’t help but smile when I read it. I really had no idea what this meant or what it might lead to, if anything, but I was curious. Was it just a friendly drink or a drink and perhaps something more? Was I even ready for something more? The answer came swiftly and with startling clarity: DEFINITELY FUCKING NOT! It would be nice to have another friend though, and someone I could lean on if needed, and who understood the world of law, too. If it just so happened that he was also quite handsome, surely that was just a bonus. I replied:
Sure. Straight after work?
Yes. A few of us are going out.
A few of us. I had clearly misread everything. It was office drinks. I was just another body. I had to admit that the surge of euphoria when I had thought he was asking me out for a drink had felt rather exciting for a moment.
Sounds great. Is Lucy going?
I believe so.
