Page 6 of The Good Neighbour

Josh held his hands up in mock surrender. “As if there was ever any doubt. I know you’ve got my best interests at heart. Seriously, I do.”

“Count on it,” she said with a wink. “Now go and get in the shower. I’ll see you later.”

She jogged down the steps and onto the cobbled stones of the crescent. He watched her go before seeking the safety of his house again.

He caught sight of himself in the mirror. His stubble was turning into a beard and his head needed shaving.

“Maybe it is time,” he said to his reflection.

It was seven fifteen when Josh walked up the steps to Madeline’s front door. It seemed all so familiar yet different in a weird way. For the first time in weeks, he felt more alive.

He’d taken Madeline’s advice and spent most of the day sorting his outer appearance. After a long bath, Josh had shaved his head. He usually kept his hair a close crop but it had grown in over the last few weeks. Now he’d fixed it, he recognised the person staring at him from the mirror.

While he’d been at it, he’d exfoliated, moisturised and even plucked his eyebrows. At first he’d been going through the motions but he soon got into it.

To carry on his good work, he spent the afternoon doing laundry, changing the bed and booking a cleaner. Madeline had lit a fire inside him.

The door opened before he got a chance to ring the bell.

It was Mercury.

“Hello, Josh,” Mercury said. “Come on in.”

“Were you watching out for me?”

“Me and Mum had a bet you wouldn’t show. You just made me five hundred quid.”

“So glad to be of service,” Josh muttered.

He also noted that Mercury had given him more credit than Madeline. Following Mercury inside, he desperately tried to block out the moment six weeks earlier when his whole world had come crashing down.

Josh found it odd visiting neighbours. It was like walking into his own house if someone had redecorated. The layout of each mansion didn’t really change. They had no room for crazy extensions. Some people had dug down to create fabulous basements. The rumour mill reported that the Formula One star Charles Worthington even had a pool in his.

They found Madeline and Nick, chatting in the sunroom. A bottle of champagne nestled in an ice bucket. If Madeline knew about one thing, it was champagne.

“Darling. You made it,” she said, leaping up.

“More than you expected, I hear,” Josh replied. “Sorry to cost you the bet.”

Madeline scowled at Mercury who had taken a seat and draped himself over Nick.

“That is a family matter. You’re right though. You’ve surprised me and in such a good way. Come. Sit down. Mercury, pour Josh a drink.”

“Allow me,” Nick said.

Josh hadn’t spent much time with Mercury’s partner but anyone that could cause Madeline to admit she was wrong was worth getting to know.

Nick handed Josh a glass.

“Thank you.”

Josh settled on the couch next to Madeline while Mercury and Nick snuggled up on the chaise longue.

Oh to be so in love.

Not that he and Winston had ever been like that. Winston didn’t really believe in physical contact outside of the bedroom. He called it needy.

“How’s work?” Mercury asked.