Page 17 of For Love or Money
‘That’s none of your business.’
‘It is if I’m going to be your next victim.’
Al sighed. ‘She cheated on me, if you must know.’
‘Oh. Sorry. How long had you been together?’
‘Off and on for a couple of years.’
‘And when did you break up?’
‘About five months ago.’
‘And no one since then?’
‘Nothing serious. Until you,’ he said with a disarming smile.
‘You don’t need to flirt with me when no one can see us,’ Lesley said sternly. ‘Save that for when we’re with your family.’
‘I thought it would be easier if I tried to stay in character the whole time – it’ll be more natural then when we’re in public.’
‘Suit yourself. We should get a few photos of us together to put up on Instagram – you know, nights out, doing coupley things.’
‘That would mean we’d have to go on some nights out.’
‘Don’t look so pleased about it,’ Lesley said. ‘It’s just business.’
‘Okay.’
‘You should change your Facebook status to “in a relationship” for starters. That’s the easiest way to get the word out, and establish us as a couple. I’ll send you a friend request so you can add me.’
‘And you’ll be changing your status too?’
Lesley thought, taking a sip of her coffee. ‘I don’t really need to, do I? It’s only your family who need to think I’m your girlfriend, and I doubt we have any friends in common.’
‘But we will have, once we go public as a couple. My cousins at least are bound to add you.’
Lesley felt a little childish thrill at the thought of having famous Facebook friends like Rafe and Scott Bradshaw. Everyone would be so impressed and jealous. Rafe was a huge heartthrob sincePride and Prejudice, and Scott was widely acknowledged to be sex on legs. The fact that he was gay was no bar to hordes of women worldwide casting him in their fantasies.
‘You definitely have to be in a relationship with me,’ Al said.
Lesley raised her eyebrows meaningfully.
‘You know what I mean,’ Al said, reaching for a cinnamon roll. ‘How will it look if I say we’re in a relationship and you have it that you’re still single?’
Lesley sighed. ‘I just don’t want to deal with the barrage of questions I’ll get from everyone if I put that I’m in a relationship. They’ll all want to know who you are. My family will probably even want to meet you.’
Al shrugged. ‘You’ll be meetingmyfamily.’
‘That’s different. Your family are cool.’ Lesley considered for a moment. ‘I could be “it’s complicated”?’ she offered.
‘No, you can’t be “it’s complicated”. That’ll look just as bad as if you’re single. It’s not complicated. You’re my girlfriend.’
‘Okay, okay, keep your shirt on. I’ll put that I’m in a relationship, and I’ll tag you in photos, so my friends can look you up.’
Actually, now that she thought about it, it would be good to have photos of Al on her page. A pretend boyfriend would be useful for getting her family off her back. Her mother had really pinned her hopes on Rob, and was more upset about the break-up than Lesley was. And if Rob should happen to see her hobnobbing with the rich and famous, all to the good. Maybe he’d realise too late how lucky he’d been to have her.
‘We should get some photos of us out and about, doing activities,’ she said.
