Jill Mansell - To the Moon and Back

What would you do without me?

Fresh from the shower, Ellie took in the alluring view from the bedroom doorway. Seriously, could anything beat the sight of a drop-dead gorgeous twenty-eight-year-old male wearing nothing but white boxers whilst clutching a steam iron in one hand and a black skirt in the other?

And to think hes mine, all mine. She had the marriage certificate to prove it.

OK, dont answer that. I know what youd do. Jamie bent down and unplugged the iron at the wall. Go out wearing a crumpled skirt.

Possibly. She fastened the lime-green bath towel securely around her chest. But I dont have to, do I? Because I have you. Reaching across the ironing board, she planted a kiss on the mouth she never tired of kissing.

So youre grateful, then? He gave the edge of the towel a playful tug.

I am. Very grateful. Thank you, thank you to the moon and back.

Because if you feel like repaying the favor, I can probably think of a way you could do that.

Regretfully Ellie tapped her watch. But we dont have time. Look at my hair. I need to get dressed and do my face wah , no, stop it, get away from me! She snatched the skirt and danced out of reach before Jamie could ravish her. Tonight they were going out separately. Along with a crowd of friends from work, she was heading off to a performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show where dressing up was mandatory. Hence the black skirt, bought in a charity shop last year and cannibalized with garden shears to give it a zig-zaggy hemline for a Halloween party. It had been lying at the back of the wardrobe ever since but would be just the thing for a Rocky Horror outing, teamed with mad hair, over-the-top eyeliner, and fishnets.

Right then, which shirt should I wear? Jamie indicated the ones hed ironed while shed been in the shower. Blue? Or white? He was off to a school reunion in Guildford.

Ellie said, How about the pink one? and saw his mouth do that turning-down-at-the-corners thing it did when he felt awkward.

I dont know. Not tonight.

Why not?

Just because. Id rather wear the blue tonight.

She took the fuchsia-pink shirt out of the wardrobe and gave it an enticing waggle. But this is beautiful! Look at that color . Why wouldnt you want to wear it?

Because I dont want to turn up and have everyone saying they didnt know I was gay.

Oh, come on! Just because its pink?

Jamie pulled a dont-make-me-say-it face. Its a very gay pink.

OK, maybe it was, but he could carry it off. I bought it for you for Christmas! You could have taken it back to the shop and exchanged it. Ellie shook her head in disbelief. But you said you loved it!

I didnt want to hurt your feelings. Besides, Jamie ventured,I kind of like it to look at. Just not to, you know, wear .

The color would really suit you.

Ill wear it soon, I promise. He slid the blue shirt off the hanger and shrugged it on.

Men, honestly, what was with them? Right, thats it, wait until next Christmas. No presents, thatll teach you to turn your nose up at my choice of shirt. Next year youll get nothing at all.

Jamie broke into a grin. Does that mean I dont have to buy you anything either?

You just wait. Youll be sorry. No, get off me! Shrieking with laughter, Ellie found herself backed into a corner of the living room. I told you, we dont have time !

Jamie snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. Sometimes, he murmured persuasively in her ear, you just have to get your priorities right and make time.

DDDDDRRRINNNGGGGGGGG went the doorbell and Jamie clutched his heart, staggering backward as if hed been shot. No, no, not fair

Oh, what a shame. Just as I was about to change my mind too. Skipping past him, Ellie went to the window and peered down to the pavement below.

Todd waved up at her. She waved back.

And to think he used to be my friend. Jamie flung open the window and yelled, Youre early.

I know. Todd spread his arms wide, evidently pleased with himself. Thats because you told me not to be late.

Jamie rolled his eyes. The first time in twenty years hes been early for anything . Raising his voice he called down, Look, were kind of busy just now. How about doing us a big favor and just going for a ten-minute jog around the block?

Get lost!

Or thats something else you could do.

Not a chance. Stop buggering about and open the door. Energetically stamping his feet and rubbing his hands together, Todd called up, Its arctic out here. Im freezing my nuts off.

***

Look at you, Todd marveled, greeting Ellie with a kiss when she finally teetered out of the bedroom, dressed and ready to go. Understated. I like it. Off to church?

Ha ha. She loved Todd, which was just as well, seeing as he was Jamies best friend. For almost twenty years the two boys had been inseparable. Their personalities complemented each other and their shared sense of humor enabled them to bounce jokes off each other so effortlessly that they never tired of it. Jamie and Todd were known as the double act and Ellie lived in fear of Todd meeting and settling down with a girl she didnt like, because what could be worse than that? How would they cope? It had the potential to spoil everything and she couldnt bear the thought of that happening. All they could do was cross their fingers and pray hed choose someone great.

Right, are we ready? Jamie was driving tonight; rattling his keys, he ushered them toward the door. Lets go. Where are we dropping you?

Ellie gave her back-combed hair one last wild blast of glitter spray for luck. Just at the tube station. Everyones meeting at the Frog and Bucket.

Youre not going on the tube on your own dressed like that. He pinched her bottom as she headed past him down the stairs. Well give you a lift to the pub.