Free Gut Feeling by Victoria Browne Page A

sale—if you could afford it.
    Leon walked into see Jules already on her second cappuccino, engrossed in a Vogue article on Versace pet accessories. She didn’t even notice Leon as he walked up and peered over her shoulder.
    ‘“Versace collars for dogs and cats…”’ he read out.
    Julie looked up at him, her glasses on the end of her nose. ‘Yes, Leon, pets can have nice things too, you know!’
    ‘Not at that price—they’re animals, for God’s sake!’
    They air kissed then he sat down and picked up the menu. Julie closed the magazine, looking at him. ‘So what’s new? Or should I say who’s new?’ She leaned closer with a grin and removed her trendy reading glasses.
    ‘No one really. Just the same old girls, the same old parties. What about you, Jules? How are you settling back into Englishmen?’
    ‘Oh God, don’t!’ She rolled her eyes.
    ‘That well, hey!’
    ‘All men are the same except the language they speak their bullshit in!’
    The waitress came over and Leon ordered an Americano and a croissant for Jules.
    ‘So what happened?’ he asked.
    ‘A Polish editor, that’s what. He writes articles for my company so now and then we cross paths. Anyway he asked me out for a drink.’
    ‘So why the long face?’
    ‘Because I found out he has a girlfriend in Brazil.’
    ‘Oh.’
    ‘Yes oh,’ she replied as she took the croissant from the waitress.
    ‘So I take it you liked him?’
    ‘No, he was a right moron but it’s not the point is it!’ She glared at him.
    ‘Hey hey, don’t look at me like that! I don’t cheat. All my ladies know the deal,’ Leon protested.
    ‘Anyway I have got my eye on a new man—he’s in IT.’
    ‘Talking of men,’ Leon edged forward on his seat, his movements awkward and uneasy. Under his brown skin he blushed.
    ‘I know, sweetie, you tell your women all how it is… before you break their hearts.’ Jules stood up. ‘I’ve got to get to a meeting, honey. Next time, don’t be late.’ She bent down to kiss the air either side of Leon’s face. ‘I’ll ring Ash and we can all meet up when Rachel’s home.’
    Jules started to gather her things. ‘Stay. I’ve got something to tell you.’
    ‘Can’t it keep? I’ve got to go.’
    ‘Um… suppose so.’
    ‘Next time, be on time. Look, I’ll pop over soon—promise.’
    ‘OK.’
    Leon stared at the door as he watches Jules disappear through it, deflated and now annoyed at himself for not getting to the coffee shop on time. With a sigh he heaved himself out of the seat and walked slowly out on to the pavement.
    It will keep , he told himself.
    * * *
    Ash arrived home mid-afternoon and when Dave came around a few hours later, she was sipping juice on her balcony in the sun. They sat together, talking about Rachel’s family and her childhood. Eventually Dave got on to the subject of what had been happening while she was away. Ash took the female flatmate rather well considering her own heart had just been broken by a cheating ex boyfriend. Dave explained how it had been a passing joke but how Peter had found them a real female flatmate, who cooked and actually drank beer.
    Ash was quite trusting and perhaps a tad naive at times, which had its pros but also its cons, but as she listened she decided she didn’t know him well enough to be making a fuss and so smiled agreeing politely. There was a nice breeze blowing over her pale skin as the sun started to lower. Dave suggested getting some food for dinner. She watched Dave drive away to find a takeaway when her landline phone rang. She picked up the receiver and her heart sank as she heard Lee’s voice on the other end.
    There was a long silence before she found her voice to answer him. Seconds before she had been happy laughing with Dave, without a thought of Lee. Why phone now? It was as if he had some kind of happy radar homed in on her heart. She found the strength to ask him what he wanted. As she listened to his reply she told herself to be