speed-dating last night. A genuine husband. She smiled. ‘So, not that I’m judging you, but what do you do?’
‘Oh. I edit a magazine for the National Assembly. It’s OK – it’s a real laugh, and my Welsh has got pretty good. Do you know any?’
‘No, not really.’ Emma hadn’t actually sat down to learn any yet, although they had classes at lunchtime. Naturally, Vile Kate went every week.
‘Actually,’ continued Joe, ‘I’d always been rubbish at Welsh, and felt guilty about it. I blame too much vodka at school. There was an afternoon where we all sneaked out, bought a bottle of the cheapest vodka imaginable from the only corner shop that’d sell it to us. I think it was called Perestroyka, or something. And the four of us just sat drinking at Mandy Pollard’s house until Mandy threw up, and then they went back to school, and I decided that this was far more fun than learning Welsh. So I skipped all the rest of my lessons. Hadn’t really needed it until now.’
Emma thought about young Joe, bunking off. He looked the kind of guy who would. Oh dear, she thought, am I starting to fancy dangerous men? She smiled at him.
‘It’s really handy, you know. We have to publish two versions of the magazine, but it’s been really useful for the Cardiff Business Community.’
‘You just pronounced that in capital letters.’
‘Yes. Yes I did. Oh god. I take myself so seriously these days.’ Again, his fingers drummed on the table.
‘You do take yourself terribly seriously, don’t you?’ Emma had a sudden urge to mother him. ‘What did you want to be?’
‘When I grew up? A poet? Or even a writer of horror books. Ever read
‘It is my favourite book!’ Emma grinned, really liking him.
‘Really?’
‘Absolutely. I read it until the spine fell apart. No book’s lived up to it apart from… Oh, I can’t say.’
‘I know what you’re going to say.’
‘You do?’
‘
‘Yes! No! How did you know? I’ve never dared admit that to anyone.’
‘I can tell. It’s like KFC, Jeremy Clarkson… you know.’
‘Oh, I so do.’ He is perfect.
What do you mean?
Oh, ta. I dunno, though. There’s something about him I like.
‘Anyway, Emma – look, do you mind if I nip outside for a smoke?’
Oh damn.
I know. But I don’t want him to as well. Then I’ll never give up.
And him?
But can you just stop him from smoking?
Emma paused, wondering. What about a little bit taller?
Oh, I could do with a cigarette, decided Emma. She was aware that Joe was looking at her. Had she zoned out? It was hard concentrating with Cheryl around sometimes. She smiled. ‘Let’s,’ she said, reached for her packet, and slipped outside into the freezing Cardiff air.
She and Joe huddled next to each other. He grinned and handed her a light.
‘Does anyone still smoke?’ he asked her, cupping his hands round the cigarette.
‘Just us left,’ she said.
They looked at each other for a bit, and smoked quietly.
‘Er, you ever thought of giving up?’ asked Emma.
Joe laughed. ‘Who hasn’t, these days?’
She shrugged. ‘I’ve tried a couple of times. I’m getting pretty good at it. It makes me happy.’
Joe nodded. ‘Nah, I’d never give up. Unless I wanted to.’
Emma smiled. ‘What if I made you?’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah, what if I had a machine that made you want to stop smoking, could repair all the damage, could make you… well, perfect, I guess.’
Joe laughed. ‘Well, if it can repair the damage, why give up?’
‘Good point,’ said Emma, feeling suddenly sad. She watched Joe go back inside and sighed. ‘Sorry, Joe,’ she said, stubbed out her cigarette and followed him back inside.
For the second night in a row, the people of Cardiff slept badly.
JOE STERLING IS LISTED AS BEING IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH EMMA WEBSTER
Early the next morning, Joe padded out into the living room, where Emma lay stretched out over the sofa, watching TV. He kissed her on the shoulder and she turned, her gorgeous hair falling neatly out of the way.
He loved the way it did that. In fact he loved pretty much everything about her.
‘Hey!’ she said, in that lovely warm voice of hers.
‘I missed you!’ he said. ‘I woke up alone in bed, and you weren’t there. Is everything OK?’
‘Yeah, yeah,’ she said. ‘I just woke up and fancied a bit of… me time. Little bit of TV and the sofa.’
‘Is everything all right?’ he asked, worried. ‘Was I snoring? Did I take up too much of the duvet?’
She smiled, and pulled him close to her, kissing the back of his neck where his hair was neatly shaved. ‘No, it’s nothing,’ she said softly. ‘I just… it takes time for me to get used to sharing the bed with someone.’
He wrapped his arms around her. ‘Well, I’ve got used to you already,’ he breathed as he nuzzled her, and she felt the slight stubble brush across her shoulder and giggled.
‘Oh, Joe,’ she said. ‘It’s only been a few hours.’
‘Yeah, I know.’ Joe grinned wickedly. ‘But I’ve never felt this way about a girl before. And I’ve certainly never… well, not in a car. You’re wicked! And you’re special.’
‘Am I?’
‘Yeah, you’re perfect.’ He kissed her again, wrapping his arms around her. ‘You’re perfect and you’re mine.’
She sighed happily.
‘I want you to meet my friends,’ said Joe. ‘They’ll love you.’
‘I’m sure they will,’ sighed Emma again. She reached across for the ash tray and lit a cigarette. She offered a drag to Joe, but he shook his head. ‘You know I’ve given up for you, babes.’
She looked at him as she dragged on her cigarette.
He sometimes wished he knew what was going on in her perfect head. He wished he could read her thoughts so that he could make her life even better. She had everything – and she wanted him. He knew he had to try very hard to live up to her. To be worthy of her.
She ran a hand through her hair. ‘What’s your favourite film?’ she asked.
