‘You always have to spoil it, don’t you? You’re supposed to say I was worth the sacrifice! R x’

‘Always!! N xx’

I think I better stop texting. So instead, I call the hair stylist and make an appointment; apparently if Sadie recommended him then he can squeeze me in on Wednesday.

Noah has sent another text, seeing as I didn’t reply. It consists of three crying with laughter emoticons and no kisses. Phew! Two kisses had definitely been scary.

‘Hope you’re not doing anything too drastic? I like your hair as it is! N x’

‘You’ll have to wait and see! R x’

‘Tousled, bed hair?? Nx ’

‘Red, pixie cut? R x’

There is a long pause. He’s obviously trying to think of a suitable not-too-crushing response.

‘Anything would look good on you! N x’

‘You charmer, you! Might get matching nails as well! R x’

I am smiling stupidly. It’s a long time since I can remember smiling at a text from Robbie. Although, ‘can you get more shaving foam, please?’ doesn’t really give you the warm and fuzzies, does it? Although, thinking about it seriously, I can’t remember a smile-inducing text exchange at all.

‘Isn’t it the first thing a girl does when she’s dumped, you know, go for the new-me look? Not that I really know. I’ve never split up with anybody before. R x’

Obviously that’s one upside of staying with the same guy – no unexpected expenses. Downside is you turn into a stay-at-home frump.

‘Oh yeah, so I’ve heard. I mean, I tend to go out and buy a new T-shirt when I’ve split with somebody. N x’

‘You must have a helluva lot of T-shirts.’

I add a crying with laughter face and grin.

‘What can I say? I like T-shirts, you can never have too many! N x’

Tuesday

‘Meet me for lunch in half an hour, across from your place? N x’

Strangely I have missed Noah despite the texts (not that I’d inflate his ego further by telling him) and am stupidly pleased at the prospect of seeing him again. Winky emoticons are not the same as seeing the real thing: the way his eyes wrinkle at the corners, the laughter that dances in his eyes. One grin from Noah and I seem to feel so much better about myself. No last-minute doubts about having my hair restyled and lifted from the boring but safe sameness I’ve seen every time I look in the mirror since I was at school. His chuckle warms me up inside and the way he looks at me makes me feel I can do (almost) anything. Even find a date.

Or it could be the fact that I’ve been told the window display at the shop needs doing and I’ve finally been trusted to do it again, so I’d be pleased for any excuse to get out of here for a bit.

The boss has insisted on Bea doing the window since my near disastrous Valentine’s Day love-you-to-death style showcase. Did I not mention it? Robbie did his runner two weeks before the big day.