Free French Kissing by Lynne Shelby Page B

like crazy. Whatever happened to him, Alex?’
    â€˜He went into the gendarmerie .’
    â€˜That bad boy became a policeman?’
    â€˜He’s been promoted several times,’ Alex said. ‘He’s very respectable these days. He’s engaged to a teacher.’
    â€˜It’s so strange how people’s lives turn out,’ Beth said. ‘I never expected to become a stay-at-home mother in my twenties. More coffee, anyone?’
    â€˜Not for me, thank you,’ I said, aware that Beth was having difficulty keeping her eyes open. I looked pointedly at Alex. ‘You and I should probably make a move.’
    Alex nodded. ‘I’m on a shoot tomorrow, and I have an early start.’
    â€˜Me too,’ Beth said. ‘An early start, I mean. Not a photoshoot.’
    We all stood up, and made our way into the hall. Alex helped me on with my coat.
    â€˜Thank you so much for tonight, Beth.’ he said. ‘It’s been wonderful to see you again.’ He bent down and kissed her on both sides of her face. ‘ Au revoir. ’
    â€˜ Au revoir , Alexandre,’ Beth said, smoothing her hair. Alex’s goodbye kiss appeared to have left her rather flustered.
    Alex shook hands with Rob. ‘Good to meet you. Call me if you have any more questions about that camera.’
    â€˜I will,’ Rob said. ‘And I’ll email you the contact details for my gym.’
    I hugged Beth and Rob. With promises that we’d all meet up again very soon, (and with Nick too, of course), Alex and I left the house, and headed off to the station.
    We were on the train, hurtling homewards along the Piccadilly line, when Alex said, ‘So what does Beth think of me?’
    I groaned. Stupid baby monitor. ‘You weren’t meant to hear that.’
    â€˜But I did.’
    â€˜She thinks you’re an attractive guy.’
    â€˜Good to know.’
    â€˜As if you didn’t know that already.’
    Alex’s teeth flashed in a grin. ‘I had a good time this evening, although I think we were right to leave when we did. Beth looked exhausted.’
    â€˜That’s exactly what I thought.’
    â€˜It’s only just gone 10.30. Do you fancy getting off the train and going for a drink?’
    â€˜Don’t you have to get up early?’
    â€˜Not that early.’
    â€˜OK, then.’
    We jumped off the train, and went out of the underground into the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus. Even though the night was chill, the area was thronged with people staring at the illuminated advertising screens, and taking photos of the statue of Eros on their mobile phones. In front of the statue, a crowd had gathered to watch two boys perform a gravity-defying breakdance. Further along the pavement, a busker was playing a saxophone.
    â€˜I like London at night,’ Alex said. ‘There’s so much going on, so much energy.’
    â€˜Where shall we go?’ I said. ‘Is there a particular bar you want to try?’
    â€˜Not really. Shall we just wander for a bit until we see somewhere we like the look of?’
    â€˜Sure.’
    We linked arms, crossed the road, and started walking down Shaftesbury Avenue, stopping now and then to examine the posters outside the theatres. Turning a corner into a side road lined with bars and restaurants, we almost collided with another couple coming the opposite way. And I found myself face to face with Mr and Mrs Cooper. Eight million people in London, and I had to run into Nick’s mother.
    â€˜Hello,’ I said. ‘This is a surprise.’
    â€˜Indeed,’ Mrs Cooper said.
    Mr Cooper cleared his throat and said, ‘Good evening, Anna.’
    â€˜Is Nicholas not with you?’ Mrs Cooper said.
    â€˜No, he’s away this week,’ I said. ‘A work thing. He won’t be back ’til Saturday.’
    â€˜I see.’
    There was an awkward silence, during which I realised, to my