Secretly I had admired his clean cut looks. He had thick black hair, and extraordinarily blue eyes, with an impish grin, which made him look younger than his 37 years. I didn’t admit it to Sally because her mission in life had been to find me someone els after Jack, and I wasn’t ready yet.

But nature took its course. We had become friends, two lonely people, both having suffered in the past, and then we became close. I marvelled at his happy attitude to life after what he must have gone through. It was such a tragedy.

” You’re the first person I’ve dated for years.” he told me awkwardly. ” I’m a bit out of date, and I don’t like disco dancing.”

” Same here, I prefer going to the theatre.” I agreed.

My mother had always said I had an old head on young shouldres, and at 27, I knew this was true. In the past, Jack had dragged me from one disco club to another, and the loud music had just grated on my nerves. I had wondered at the time, why I was so different, so with Max, it was a relief to just be myself.

I got in the car, and drove to Max’s house. I was a little nervous. This was the house he had shared with Sandra, and now Emily was there. I felt like the outsider, but I knew I must conquer my awkwardness. Knowing Max as I did, he would be feeling just as apprehensive.

When I arrived, I noticed how pretty the garden was. ” Sandra kept it lovely, so I mustn’t let it get untidy.” he had told me  previously, and I then realised that he was still going through the healing process. When he had left me that night, I knew I would never forget his words.

” Thanks to you, my life has meaning again. I hope we can have a future together because I love you.”

He hadn’t mentioned marriage, but I was happy not to rush things. We had come so far, and now the only obstacle was Emily. If the only way to make her like me was bribery, I would do it, for Max I would do anything.

As he opened the door to me, she was by his side, as beautiful and imperious as he had described.

” Hallo Emily. You are a beautiful cat!” I said, as I stroked her silky fur. ” I do hope you like salmon, as I’ve got a tin in my hand bag.”

” Clever girl, she does.” said Max kissing me. Emily had smelt it now, and was brushing provocatively against my leg. I had won!