He flicks out the latest iPhone as we go into the bar. There’s nothing bargain basement about that. ‘This is her.’ BC holds it out so that I can admire the photograph of his child. A little girl with dreads and milk-chocolate-coloured skin looks back at me.

‘She’s beautiful.’

‘Yeah.’ He grins as he looks lovingly at the photo himself. Gone is the brash, boastful bloke that I know from work. ‘Gets that from her mother,’ he adds. ‘Just hope she hasn’t got her temper too.’

‘You’re not together now?’

‘We’d split by the time Leona was born,’ he says sadly. ‘I don’t get to see enough of my little girl. I can’t have her in the week because half the time I’m away. Sunday is my only day.’

‘That’s a shame.’

He shrugs. ‘It’s life now. We just have to make the most of it. My relationship with my ex is okay.’ He gives me a wicked grin. ‘Usually.’ BC slips his phone back into his pocket. ‘I just want Leona to have the best life that she can. Do wonderful things, go to wonderful places.’

‘That’s great,’ I say, but there’s an unbidden lump in my throat. Are my own two children completely lacking in ambition because I didn’t have big dreams for them or for myself? Should I have urged them from an early age to want more for themselves than either Greg or I did? Perhaps it’s not too late. For them or for me.

Then BC slips his arm casually round my shoulders but that doesn’t stop my heart from beating triple time. He steers me towards the bar. ‘Let’s see what delights this place has to offer. I’m famished after our run.’ Blake turns to me and winks. ‘We make a good team, you and me.’

I like this softer side of Blake Chadwick. In fact, I think I might like it a bit too much.

Chapter 65

Chapter 65

The early part of the week has passed without event. It has also passed without Greg and me resolving our differences or me having raised any more money for my trip.

Still, I don’t want to think of any of that now. Tonight my mind will be filled with nothing but thoughts of fun.

Lauren and I are going to this utterly fabulous Party Party event later this evening and I just can’t wait. My knees might even be shaking a bit.

This is the first time I’ve ever been invited to attend one of our company’s dos and it looks like this is going to be lavish beyond my expectations. The only flash parties that I’ve ever attended have been at Chelsea’s behest, and it’s nice to have a marvellous affair to go to that’s all down to my own efforts.