Page 56 of The Good Neighbour

Suzanne slammed her hand down, making all the pens in jars rattle. “He’s a cheeky bastard,” she said, reaching for another. “He’s the one who abandoned you once the going got good. He doesn’t deserve a brass farthing.”

Josh smiled. “You have more in common with Madeline than you realise. That’s her take on things.”

“And you disagree?”

He hadn’t really discussed his position with anyone. Not even Hugh and to his credit he didn’t pry. It felt so inherently personal.

“Providing it isn’t too ridiculous, I’m going to let him have whatever he wants,” Josh said. “I can’t face dragging this out any more than we have to. He’s checked out of the marriage and to be honest, so have I. It’s time to move forward.”

“With Hugh?”

The million-dollar question.

“For now,” he replied. “I’m not putting things under any pressure.”

Suzanne nodded. “I think you’re doing the right thing. It’s so nice to see you positive about something. It’s been a long time.”

Hugh had definitely brought light into Josh’s life again. He might be facing an emotional crisis but having Hugh in his life gave him the strength to stop it from taking over everything.

After they finished, he called into Hugh’s on the way home. Even though they hadn’t made plans, he wanted to see him and judging by the beam when Hugh opened the door, the feeling was mutual.

After a seriously sexy kiss on the doorstep, Hugh stood back.

“How did it go?” Josh asked.

Hugh sighed. He looked exhausted. Although Josh had probably had a large part to play in that.

“We calmed them down,” Hugh replied. “Although ticket sales have stalled. Opening night in Newcastle is sold out, thank fuck. We’re going to do some press in a week or so and then rely on reviews. It could be a shit ton worse.”

Josh kissed him again. “I knew you could do it. Aren’t you going to invite me in? I’ve been in these clothes all day. I could do with getting out of them.”

“Calm down, tiger. I have a visitor.”

Josh frowned. “Who?”

“Come and find out.”

Hugh led him down the hallway and into the kitchen.

“Joshua!”

Mrs Wimpole sat at the kitchen table. They had the laptop open and from what Josh could see, they were trawling through online fashion stores.

“This looks like trouble.”

Josh bent and kissed Mrs Wimpole’s proffered cheek.

“We’re still stuck,” Hugh said, sitting next to his muse. “We’ve been at it for two hours and can’t find the perfect suit.”

“In fact,” Mrs Wimpole said. “I don’t think we’re going to. I’ve got a better solution.”

“I’m all ears because if I don’t make some progress, I think Michael is going to professionally divorce me. After everything else that’s happened, I really don’t need that.”

Mrs Wimpole frowned. “A little attack on a late-night chat show isn’t that bad, surely?”

“It’s worse than that,” Hugh replied. “Someone has posted a video of me. I…well I got into a brawl with my stepfather at his wedding to my mother.”

Mrs Wimpole stared hard at him. “And what does she think of this?”