Page 33 of The Good Neighbour

“Then you must enjoy the time you spend with us,” Mrs Wimpole said, patting his arm. “I’ve lived here all my life and Queens Crescent has always been a very special place. My goodness, the stories I could tell.”

As she began to launch into one of her monologues, the famous Formula One drivers Charles Worthington and Luis Salvatore beckoned her from the bar.

“Oh, I’d better go and say hello,” she said. “Joshua, please tell me who they are supposed to be.”

He frowned. “I think they’re the characters fromZoolander.”

Mrs Wimpole shrugged. “If it was made after the nineties, I have no idea. Come along, Professor.”

She dragged her partner in crime over to the bar. Hugh couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Do you want me to take you over to Madeline?” Josh asked.

“Madeline who?” Hugh replied. “Fancy another drink?”

Before Josh answered, Hugh followed Mrs Wimpole and the Professor.

“Why are you so worried?” Zac asked Josh.

“I think I may have found myself in even more hot water than I first thought.”

He turned to find Madeline had glided up to him.

“Didn’t he want an introduction?” she said, staring over Josh’s head to the bar.

Josh followed her gaze. Hugh had joined Mrs Wimpole and was making her giggle like a schoolgirl.

“I think you may have been gazumped.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

They were wandering along the high street toward Queens Crescent. On any other night, people would have stopped and stared at a six-foot-four Barbie towering over Ken. Yet, on Halloween no one batted an eyelid.

“I can’t wait to get this wig off,” Hugh said. “It’s so bloody heavy.”

“You look great.”

Hugh did a little jig. “I should hope so. It took enough effort. It’s a nice break not to be in six-inch heels, that’s for sure.”

They headed onto Queens Crescent.

“You didn’t mind leaving early, did you?” Josh asked. “The others are still going strong.”

“Of course not,” Hugh replied, clapping his hand on Josh’s shoulder. “You made a big step tonight, my friend. How about a nightcap at mine?”

Apprehension swept through Josh’s system. He knew what that meant. To be fair, he’d been admiring Hugh’s body all night. Plus, most people probably thought that they were together anyway.

He glanced at Hugh, whose hopeful face was lit up by a streetlamp. The moment had arrived. Winston had gone. Joshhad to focus on the future or he would end up losing a really good thing.

“I’d love one,” he said, his voice wavering a little.

“You can talk to me while I de-Barbie. Believe me, it will take some time.”

Whilst he’d loved having Hugh’s company all evening, he had missed staring at his handsome face. It would be so sexy to see him emerge from the beautiful image he had created for the night.

They went up the stairs. Josh couldn’t take his eyes off Hugh’s lycra-clad butt. It had been his focal point for most of the night.

He tried to clear his mind. Josh might have had no doubts about making the leap with Hugh. Even so, that didn’t stop his nerves from jangling around his system.