Cosmo feels weak with relief. He swallows several times, takes a great gasp of air and then taps a text to Al.

That means you can look after Reggie while I dash up to see Becks. Great stuff! See you at the station.

He’s almost home before he receives Al’s text. It’s rather laconic.

Not quite what I had in mind but OK.

As he climbs the steps, lets Reggie off the lead, a new problem occurs to Cosmo. What on earth will he say to Amy? Even as he thinks about it another text pings in. It’s from Amy.

That was amazing. You’ve passed the first test. Let’s see how you do at the party! xxx

This is followed by several emojis depicting happiness and fun. Cosmo stares at it and groans aloud. He goes into the house with Reggie at his heels, his mind busy with what kind of crisis he can dream up as his excuse. The family party he invented was one thing; this will need to be something else altogether. Perhaps it will be best to wait until almost the last minute, until he’s on the train to London, so that there’s no chance of an actual confrontation.

Cosmo makes several attempts at a reply to the text but in the end simply types:

It was great to meet him.

It’s lame but just for now it’s the best he can do. Cosmo stands at the kitchen window and stares out, but for once he is unaware of the view. He’s visualizing his two universes spinning towards each other, on a collision course.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Sam is on his way back to Salcombe but this time he’s driving. This late in the year he should be able to find a parking place somewhere and it’s good to have his own wheels. He’s pleased that Amy has invited him to Jack’s party. Max passed the message on to Sam, phoning him to check that he was free.

‘It’s going to be much the same as last time,’ Max said. ‘It seems that it might be a bit of a squash at Jack’s so we’re going to the pub again. Same group as last time, plus Judith, of course.’

Sam wonders how Judith will fit into the group. He can’t see her bonding with Charley, somehow. The thought makes him smile just a little bit. Judith: correct, smart even when she’s casual, not very relaxed out of her comfort zone. Charley: so laid-back as to be horizontal, very peace ’n’ love. However, if they’re all at the pub it should go smoothly, everyone on neutral territory, no judgements to be made.