Page 49 of A Clean Sweep
D inner at Joe's had been amazing. He'd whipped up a delicious concoction of chicken wrapped in bacon and stuffed with an oozing mixture of cheeses and mustard. With a side of saffron-tinted tagliatelle. Washed down with some rosé wine and followed by a raspberry pavlova.
'You made this? You actually made a meringue?' Emily was incredulous as she took another mouthful of crispy but meltingly soft-in-the-middle dessert. She hated to think how many calories she'd consumed but was confident she'd burn them off a little later.
'Indeed I did, oh doubting one. I find whisking egg whites until they form stiff peaks quite therapeutic.
Just because I'm a sad old bachelor doesn't mean I dine on ready meals and toast!
' Joe gave her another of his pulse-raising smiles, leaning over to caress Emily's exposed shoulder.
The red top fitted like a dream, perfectly complemented by the white jeans which she'd managed to avoid spattering with food.
When Joe had picked her up he'd done a double-take, before pronouncing her good enough to eat.
'It's almost a shame we're not going out, because I'd be the envy of every man in the room with you looking like that. '
His flat was immaculate, all gleaming surfaces, polished wood floors and huge windows that overlooked an area of parkland.
It wasn't big but it felt like a proper home.
An L-shaped squashy sofa dominated the living space, there were rugs and cushions galore and the open-plan kitchen was light, bright and fully equipped with all the aspiring cook could want.
The bedroom and bathroom were equally impressive if a little masculine in their furnishings.
Luckily, Emily had managed to add a few feminine touches, if a hot brush, tubs of cleanser and moisturiser and her favourite fluffy slippers counted.
It was only their eighth date but Emily felt totally at ease in Joe's company.
Of course, they had got as intimate as humanly possible on the first date but there was no sense of awkwardness or embarrassment.
Just a sense of "rightness", of somehow fitting together.
It was an altogether new and exciting feeling that made Emily feel like a giggly teenager instead of a menopausal housewife.
When she'd looked in the mirror earlier she swore she looked younger too.
No amount of expensive anti-ageing products could replicate the radiance that came with dating a seriously hot young man.
'Can I fix you a coffee? I've got a half-decent decent bottle of brandy if you fancy one?
Settled down on the comfy sofa with their coffees and brandies Emily and Joe chatted about everything and anything. He’d been reticent about his past but revealed he'd studied computer science at university and worked briefly for a software company.
'It was OK but my heart wasn't really in it.
I'd helped my dad out with the business when I was younger and really enjoyed it.
Getting my hands dirty, meeting people, learning the tricks of the trade.
So … when he asked if I'd like to join hi m I jumped at the opportunity.
And now we've got Where the Hearth Is, it's pretty full-on.
We're a good team. Adam works like a Trojan sourcing new fireplace designs from all over the world and I've put together a pretty impressive website, if I say so myself. '
Emily fetched her laptop and found the site.
They navigated through it together, Emily suitably impressed at its easy-to-follow layout and the sheer volume of fireplaces on offer.
At the top of the home page were photos of Steve, Joe, Adam and their part-time accountant Rosemary.
She was immediately struck by the resemblance between father and son, both fine-looking male specimens.
And Adam wasn't too shabby either in the looks department.
He had a cheeky twinkle in his eye and for a fleeting moment she wondered …
no, she was not going to interfere in Tabitha's life.
If things weren't working out with Tom it was up to her to figure it out.
In any case, Adam was probably married or at least seeing someone.
Rosemary - who appeared to be in her late sixties with a mop of frizzy grey hair - looked like a retired headmistress.
But Joe assured her she was a great laugh and super-efficient at her job.
'So, tell me more about your work,' asked Joe, who now had his arm around Emily's shoulders and was stroking her shoulder again. She pushed the laptop aside and took a sip of brandy. Very nice. They hadn’t shared much in terms of their working lives up until now. Just the basics, content instead to talk about light-hearted topics and enjoy each other’s company.
'There's not much to tell, really. I just edit short stories and the like for women’s magazines. Make sure they're fit for publication. It doesn't make me much money but I can work from home and pretty much suit myself hours-wise, unless there's a tight deadline.'
'Have you never thought of writing something yourself? You said you studied English at uni, so you've clearly got a talent with words. How cool would it be if you knocked out a bestseller? Then I could boast that my girlfriend was famous and accompany you to book signings up and down the country.'
At this, Emily choked back a laugh and almost spat out a mouthful of brandy.
'Not much chance of that, I'm afraid. I have started a couple of books but never got beyond the first chapter or two.
I love reading but I just can't seem to find my voice when I'm writing.
It all seems too contrived and derivative.
I'll stick to what I'm good at which is knocking other people's scribblings into shape.
' She snuggled up closer to Joe, secretly thrilled that he'd referred to her as his "girlfriend".
Although what else was he going to call her?
His lady companion? Bit on the side? Ageing bimbo?
She wasn't in bad nick and while her IQ might not be genius level she considered herself reasonably intelligent.
'What shall we do now?' asked Joe, polishing off the dregs of his brandy. 'Fancy watching a movie or something? I've got Netflix so hopefully there's something on there we both like the look of.'
Emily nodded and reached for the remote control on the table.
Watching a movie together seemed such a chilled, coupley thing to do.
She and Jim had rarely watched anything together, aside from the odd episode of Antiques Roadshow and his beloved Channel 4 News .
On the odd occasion they'd gone to the cinema, he'd inevitably nodded off halfway through.
He'd mocked her viewing choices, discounting them as frivolous or banal.
She'd secretly got her fix of quirky comedy or tear-jerking romance when he was at work, battling through the ironing pile as she laughed or sobbed.
Since he died Emily had feasted on a diet of fun and frothy fare, with no-one to criticise her choices.
She and Tabitha had spent many a girly giggly evening gorging themselves on snacks and chocolate and arguing over which male lead was the most fanciable.
Emily had a bit of a soft spot for Paul Rudd – not a classic matinee idol but undeniably cute – whereas Tabitha favoured Ryan Reynolds but had come to terms with the sad fact that they were destined never to meet.
They settled on a romantic comedy starring some soap actress who'd hit the big time in recent years and an older actor.
It wasn't an Oscar contender but it provided some laughs.
If Joe had any thoughts on the reversed age gap he chose not to comment.
Emily, lying alongside him and happily sharing the odd passionate kiss, felt no need to comment either.
She felt utterly at ease, and Joe's body language said he felt the same.
When the final credits rolled, Joe switched off the TV and pulled Emily even closer.
'Without seeming presumptuous, would you be up for a sleep-over?
' Emily giggled and pointed to her small overnight bag parked by the door.
'Does that mean we stay up all night doing our hair and nails and consuming our body weight in sweets?
' Memories of Tabitha and her friends high on sugar and surrounded by hair straighteners and crimpers came rushing back.
All bleary eyed and monosyllabic the next day.
Joe raised an eyebrow and went in for a tickle.
'Much as I pride myself on being in touch with my feminine side, I don't think sparkly nail polish and marshmallows are quite my thing?
Convulsed with laughter Emily pushed him away and went to fetch her bag.
'I think I'm the presumptuous one. Toothbrush, toiletries and a change of clothes.
Do you think I'm utterly shameless?' By way of reply Joe took her bag and grasped her hand, leading her towards the door.
'Absolutely. And utterly irresistible. Let's go and get naked.
Unless you brought us matching onesies?'