Page 64 of For Love or Money
‘Who the hell is she anyway?’ Lesley asked.
‘She was Al’s first love,’ Scott said with a wistful sigh. ‘It was quite the romance. She was the first girl in our crowd to get a proper set of ti—’ He broke off abruptly as Al shot him a furious look. ‘She was the first young lady of our acquaintance to ... fill out,’ he amended, miming cupping two huge imaginary breasts in his hands. ‘Is that delicate enough for your genteel sensibilities, Miss Bennet?’ he said to Al.
‘No,’ Al said flatly.
Scott ignored him and turned to Lesley. ‘What I’m trying to say is the girl was stacked.’
‘Yep, your little mime there was very subtle, but I managed to get the gist.’
‘She had a rack like you wouldn’t believe, Lesley.’
‘Understood.’
‘I hardly need tell you it didn’t escape Al’s notice. He was on that faster than you could say “tits ahoy”. Well, I’m sureyouknow what he’s like. He can’t help himself. It’s just the way God made him.’
Lesley couldn’t help laughing.
‘Please shut up, Scott,’ Al said, surging to his feet. ‘Can I get you something? Coffee? Gobstopper?’
‘I’d love a coffee – a large Americano, and a blueberry muffin if they have one.’
‘Right. I’ll be back in a moment.’ Al hovered, seeming reluctant to leave.
‘We’ll just talk amongst ourselves,’ Scott said with a sly grin. ‘Won’t we, Lesley?’
‘I’m sorry,’ Al said to her. ‘Please ignore him, and don’t pay any attention to a word he says. He’s just showing off. He’s always like this with new people, but he’ll calm down after a couple of months.’ With that Al stormed off to the buffet counter.
‘How long has this been going on with you and Al?’ Scott asked her when he was gone.
‘Not long. Only a couple of months.’
Al returned with a coffee and a muffin for Scott, and sat down again at the table.
‘So, how did you two meet?’ Scott asked with a winning smile as he ripped open a sachet of sugar. ‘Tell me everything. I’m a sucker for romance. Was it love at first sight?’
‘Not exactly,’ Lesley said.
‘It was for me,’ Al said, smiling at her.
Scott rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. ‘Well, of course it was for you, Aloysius! I don’t need to ask why Lesley here caught your eye. But what was it about young Aloysius here that got your juices flowing, Lesley?’
Lesley glanced at Al. ‘Well, he’s very handsome, obviously.’
‘Obviously.’
‘But I think what sealed the deal was that Al really likes women.’
‘Don’t we all, darling?’ Scott gave her a lascivious grin.
‘No, I mean helikeswomen. He’s interested in talking to them and he pays attention. He didn’t just ogle my chest all night and look at me like I was a piece of meat.’
She was glad to see that Al looked pleased by this.
‘Well played, Al!’ Scott drawled, holding his hand up for a high-five. He dropped it again when Al resolutely ignored it. ‘Anyway, good for you. I didn’t know you were bringing anyone.’
‘It was kind of last minute. We haven’t been going out long.’
Scott sighed. ‘I’ve always wanted to have a whirlwind romance. Unless a quick knee-trembler by the bins round the back of The Ivy counts?’
