Page 20 of Mayfair Madame

“I think I’ve been asked on a date,” I said, still not believing it myself.

“By who? No disrespect, but I didn’t think you had many friends. Is it online dating? Have you signed up for one of these apps? Is there one for, you know?”

Poor Josh. He still struggled to say the word.

“Lesbians, Josh, and yes, there is an app, but I’m not on any.”

“So, is it someone at work?” Josh craned his neck, looking around the office.

“I’m not sure I should tell you.” Was it against the rules? Technically speaking, with Naomi no longer pressing charges, there was no active case, and since we’d heard from that dickhead Godfrey, he would not pursue a case against her.

“I mean, you don’t have to. Your private life is just that.” He kicked something invisible on the floor, his head down. I should put him out of his misery.

“It’s Naomi.”

“As in…”

“Yes, as in the owner of the online escort agency.” And now I thought about that, I knew it wasn’t a good idea at all.

“She’s hot.”

“Yeah, she is.” Too hot for me. Doubts crept in again.

“Are you sure she’s the right one for you?”

“Well, now that makes me feel really special.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant with her being, you know.”

“God, you’re really struggling with your words today. She’s not a prostitute.” Well, at least I didn’t think she was. I’d need to ask.

Would it make a difference?

“Are you going to go?”

“I haven’t decided yet. Is there a protocol for seeing suspects?”

“There is, but with no case to answer and as she’s no longer following up with Godfrey, there’s no reason you couldn’t go out with her. Is there something else bothering you?”

Did I know Josh that well to tell him my deepest, darkest secrets? The answer to that was no.

“No, I’m not really one for going out. Would you believe I’m a bit of an introvert?”

“I would actually, but maybe it’s time to make some friends. You’ve been here four, five months now? And she seemed like a nice enough woman. Do yourself a favour and say yes. Take a chance, Ellie. I wouldn’t be married with two kids if I hadn’t gone on the blind date.”

“Is that how you met your wife?”

“My best friend invited me on a double date, and the rest, they say, is history. We’ve been together for ten years. Took a while to have kids. Had to go down the IVF route both times, but it was worth it.”

This was the most Josh had ever told me about his home life. I knew he was married, had kids, but didn’t realise the lengths he’d gone to.

Maybe he was right. It was time to take a chance. One night wouldn’t hurt anyone.

“Josh. Ellie. In here, please.”

“Another day in paradise, Ellie. Time for work, but think about it,” Josh said. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

The rest of the day passed in a blur. We dealt with a theft, a bag snatch, and far too much paperwork, but finally our shift ended. Josh went home to his family, and I went home to an empty one-bedroom flat.