Page 104 of The Good Neighbour

She squeezed his arm. “But you’ve survived and look at what you’ve got. A hot new man that people actually like and a brand-new business to throw yourself into. Not bad.”

“True. Plus I’m happy. Really truly happy. Despite other people’s intentions.”

“Any word from that woodlouse you married?”

“He’s accepted my offer. My lawyer reckons we can rush the paperwork through.”

Madeline sighed. “So you’re putting your house on the market?”

“No choice.”

She drained her glass of champagne. “What a piece of shit. Where will you live?”

“I will still be okay,” Josh replied. “I’ll find an apartment somewhere. I don’t need a massive house anyway.”

His friend didn’t look convinced. She, of all people, knew what Queens Crescent meant to him. However, the more he’d thought about it, the more a fresh start appealed to him.

“I won’t see you,” she said with a pout.

“I’ll be slaving away on drag queen dresses most of the time. I promise though, when you’re in town, we’ll see each other all the time.”

She kissed his cheek. “You’re a special man, Josh Winterton.”

Hugh came over and snaked an arm around Josh’s waist.

“Are you making a move on my man?”

Madeline smiled. “I wouldn’t dare. I’ll leave you to it. I want to have a poke around upstairs. I don’t think Mrs Wimpole will invite me into her house again.”

Josh and Hugh laughed as she set off on her mission.

“What were you two talking about?”

“Just how happy I am,” he replied.

Hugh guided him over to a sofa in the corner. They sat.

“You don’t have to say yes right now,” he said. “But would you come to New York?”

“Of course,” Josh replied. “I’ll come for Christmas.”

“No. I mean, the whole run.”

Josh grabbed Hugh’s hand. “Are you serious? I thought you’d want to focus and not have me getting in the way.”

Hugh grinned. “You’re banned from backstage before a show. Not my decision, Michael’s. Other than that, I quite like you under my feet.”

“Has Michael agreed?”

Hugh nodded.

“Then I’d love to.”

“Good, because I don’t want to be away from you,” Hugh said. “I love you too much.”

Other men had told Josh they loved him. He’d never truly believed it until now.

“Say it again,” he said.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

He buried his nose in Hugh’s curls. There were going to be a lot of changes in the future. That much was evident. Yet with this man in his arms, Josh knew that he could face whatever shape they took.

At last, he was home.