Page 13 of The Good Neighbour

Hugh chuckled. “Professionally speaking. Otherwise known as Shirley Hedid.”

Josh blushed. “What are you going to do?”

“Hopefully come up with some new characters,” Hugh replied. “Ones that aren’t tired.”

Josh got to his feet. His legs had gone to sleep and his wet jeans were stuck to him.

“I’d better let you get on with mopping the floors,” he said.

“You mean your help doesn’t extend to that?”

“I think that’s pushing the good neighbourly relations a little too far. Don’t worry, you’ll have it done in no time.”

Hugh got up and grinned at him. “Imagine expecting a top designer to mop out a model’s utility room. Don’t worry, I know my place in this neighbourhood.”

Josh returned the smile.

“I’ll get the name of my plumber and drop it round later.”

“Thanks,” Hugh said, maintaining eye contact. “I’ll look forward to that.”

“Me too.”

Josh found that he really did mean that as well.

CHAPTER FOUR

Two days passed and Josh found it impossible to settle. Ever since he’d been to Madeline’s for drinks, he had let the world into his life. Even just a tiny bit. However, it was proving addictive. It didn’t help that he had a gorgeous man next door. The walls between the houses were so thick, no noise ever made it through. However, Josh still sensed Hugh’s presence.

He had tried to push such thoughts out of his mind. He was still technically a married man. Not that Winston seemed to be all that bothered. He’d still heard precisely nothing from him.

Josh had read and reread the letter. He needed to find a lawyer. Madeline would know the best divorce expert in London. Yet each time he’d got out his phone to message her, he hadn’t been able to do it.

As he sat on the couch in the sunroom, he glanced through to the kitchen. He tried to remember the happy times he’d shared with Winston. Early in their relationship they’d had fun.

When did that all stop?

A long time before the cancer. That was for sure. The turning point had been Alessandro. Josh squeezed his eyes tightly shut. He always did that when he thought about that man. Winston had been making a film in Dubrovnik. Alessandro was acamera operator. Their little affair became common knowledge. To everyone except Josh of course. A friend of Madeline’s had alerted her and she’d done the decent thing and told Josh. Winston hadn’t even denied it. He’d told Josh he was overreacting and refused to speak any more about it.

Josh sprang up from the couch and pushed open the door to the garden. Anxiety swept through his system as he realised that Winston wouldn’t be sitting in the house in Nice worrying about Josh.

As he stood watching the autumn rain fall, he heard a commotion from next door.

“How are we supposed to go on tour if your wardrobe isn’t ready?” said a male voice unfamiliar to Josh.

“Calm down. A friendly neighbour helped me out,” Hugh replied.

Josh grinned at the sound of his voice.

“Oh really?” the other man said. “Is he hot?”

“He is actually.”

Josh gripped the door frame. It had been a long time since anyone had described him as hot.

“You’ve landed on your feet,” the male said. “Fancy place to stay and a sexy neighbour.”

“Will you be quiet?” Hugh replied. “He might be out there.”