Page 18 of For Love or Money
‘What sort of activities do you suggest?’
‘I don’t know. Do you play rugby?’ she asked with a sudden flash of inspiration. Al looked pretty fit, and it would drive Rob nuts if she had someone who was better than him at rugby. ‘I could go and watch your matches and cheer you on.’
‘You like watching rugby?’
‘I don’t mind it. My ex used to play a lot.’
‘Well, I don’t.’
‘I thought all those posh schools made you play rugby.’
‘They did. They also made us create a diorama of the Battle of Hastings from a shoebox and wear a straw boater in public – none of which I’ve done since leaving.’
‘Is there any sport you’re into?’
‘I did a lot of hillwalking with my ex.’
‘Is that a sport? I thought it was supposed to be gentle and sociable – everyone chatting to each other while they’re ambling along.’
‘Not for Cassie. She’s very competitive. She doesn’t amble. The guy she cheated on me with was always first to the top,’ he said sourly.
‘We should definitely go hillwalking then – find a way to beat them at it so you can get her back.’
‘I don’t want her back; I’m over her.’
‘I don’t mean get her back as your girlfriend. I mean have your revenge – get her back for cheating on you. Make her rue the day. Wouldn’t you like her to rue the day?’
‘Well, when you put it like that,’ Al said, a slow smile creeping over his face. ‘I don’t see how we’re going to beat them, though. They’re both really fit.’
‘Well, leave it with me. I’ll think of something. So, what else do you like doing?’
‘The usual, I suppose. I like going to restaurants, the theatre—’
‘Ugh,’ Lesley grimaced. ‘I hate the theatre.’
Al reared back in shock. ‘How can you hate the theatre?’
‘It’s weird and embarrassing. It’s all so artificial. You can see it’s just people pretending, and I feel mortified for the actors making eejits of themselves.’
Al laughed. ‘Well, you’d better not say that to any of my family. They’re practically all actors.’
‘Not you, though.’
‘I’m the black sheep.’
‘So I get the good one,’ she said, smiling at him. ‘Were they disappointed when you went into architecture?’
‘Well, obviously they’d have preferred if I’d run away with the circus. But they were always very supportive.’
‘And you’re not the only one with a proper job. Your dad’s a baker. That must have paved the way for you.’
‘Well, he’s not so much a baker as a captain of industry.’
‘Still, no shame in that. Anyway, I’ve no problem with actors as long as they stick to movies or TV.’
‘Okay, so no trips to the theatre, then.’
‘Eating out is fine. I love going out to dinner. Oh, we could go on a mini-break!’
