TWENTY-THREE
After dining well and sharing a bottle of good wine, Mandy and Jack talked until they were the last in the restaurant. The waiters sat patiently, their coats on; Italians, they knew and cherished love. Back at Mandy’s flat, they made love, passionately, eventually falling asleep, exhausted and wrapped in each other’s arms and legs, and this is how they woke; difficult to part. While Jack was in the loo, Mandy phoned a still groggy Jackie to thank her. Apparently they’d had a blazing night in the Bridge Tavern. Maisie on the other hand, answering Mandy’s call, appeared totally unaffected by the night on the piss. They were getting the boat ready to go out and so it was a short conversation, but Mandy promised to visit soon; mentioned returning Ted’s overalls and realised she h
