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Read an Extract Read on for the moment when Bea discovers about the new woman in her ex-husband’s life… Downstairs in the kitchen I allowed myself to open a bottle of wine. Since I reckoned I’d expended those calories in just the last few minutes, I wasn’t worried. And I needed something to settle my nerves. I poured out two glasses and handed one to Jimmy. He raised it to me and drank – quite a lot, I noticed. We were both nervous. ‘Thanks for sticking around. It does make life easier and I’ve got something to tell you,’ I said. ‘So have I, Bea. I’ve got something to tell you.’ Suddenly he seemed so excited, so keen, that I relaxed. I had read the signs right. Those last slow dances we’d had as the party ended had meant to him what they’d meant to me. We should be together. Starting now. ‘Well, you first,’ I said, relishing this newly discovered bliss. ‘I’ve met someone.’ ‘I know. Me too…Um, what? Sorry.’ I swallowed hard. ‘That’s great. Who?’ ‘Wait. What? Start again. You’ve met …’ I willed something different to come out of Jimmy’s mouth. ‘Oh, Bea, she’s fantastic. I know you two will be friends.’ I doubted that. ‘I didn’t think it was possible, you know how I…Anyway, she’s just wonderful and I feel blessed. She fell into my life. I’d thought, never again, right? You don’t get it twice! But, Bea, she’s so funny and strong, and intelligent.’ ‘How old is she?’ Jimmy laughed. ‘That’s your first question? She’s twenty-two and she comes from Latvia.’ ‘You’ve got to be kidding!’ ‘Yes, Bea, I’m kidding. I wouldn’t do that to you.’ I don’t care if she’s fifty-six and comes from Bournemouth – you bloody are! ‘She’s thirty-eight and, Bea…’ He paused. My stomach lurched. ‘I want to marry her.’
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