The Wedding Date. Jennifer Joyce

about me? I don’t need a date for Francesca’s wedding.’

      ‘That’s not what I’m talking about.’ I take a furtive glance around the field but Jack doesn’t seem to be here. ‘I’m talking about you finding yourself a boyfriend. A real, permanent one.’

      Lauren gives a wave of her hand. ‘I’m fine as I am.’

      ‘I don’t think you are.’ I sneak another glance for Jack. ‘You’re as hung up on Courtney as I am on Ben.’

      Lauren gives a humourless laugh. ‘I am not.’

      ‘You really are.’ I take another look around the crowd gathered on the side lines. ‘Oh, there he is!’ I’m up on my tiptoes when I spot Jack loitering at the back. Grabbing Lauren’s arm, I start to drag her through the crowds but stop abruptly when I see that he isn’t alone.

      ‘Who’s she?’ Lauren asks but I shrug. ‘His sister?’ Lauren thrusts a thumb at the pitch. ‘The kid’s mum?’

      All the tension that has been building up in my body and making my shoulders rise higher and higher leaves my body in a sudden rush. I visibly deflate, only just managing to stay upright as my suddenly floppy body makes for the muddy ground.

      ‘Of course it’s his sister!’ Still, I’m in no rush to go over there. As much as I enjoyed my date with Jack, I really don’t want to meet his family. I melt back into the crowd, taking Lauren with me.

      ‘Um, Delilah.’ I feel the resistance as Lauren stops, her body refusing to be led back to our original spot. ‘I don’t think that’s Jack’s sister after all.’

      ‘What do you mean?’ I ask but one look at Jack tells me everything I need to know. It seems the mystery woman enjoys Jack’s kisses much more than I did on our date.

       Chapter 10

      The Pub Quiz

       Text Message:

      Delilah: What’s the capital of the Faroe Islands?

      Dad: Are you at the pub quiz? Because that’s cheating

      Delilah: Dad! I wouldn’t cheat! I’m not even at the quiz. Lauren and I are planning a holiday and we were thinking of the Faroe Islands and wanted a bit more info

      Dad: Where in the world are the Faroe Islands?

      Delilah: In the sea? Just tell me the capital. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

      Dad: The capital is F

      Delilah: Funny

      Dad: The capital to that is also F

      I’ve calmed down about the whole Jack-kissing-another-woman thing by the following day. I mean, it’s no big deal, is it? We’d been on one measly little date – that hardly constitutes a committed relationship. Besides, being upset by the kiss is a tad hypocritical of me when essentially I’m just using Jack as a prop to prove that I’m over my ex and not for an actual relationship.