Diane locked her car. She had managed to squeeze into the last available spot in the small carpark next to the Hare & Tortoise.

Even though she only worked part time, the last two days since she’d got back from Portugal had been quite hectic. The fiscal year was ending and it was the busiest period of the year at Thompson & Associates. It seemed like all her clients had decided while she was away that they wanted some aspect of their accounts re-evaluated in view of the Brexit fallout, and that this needed to happen straight away.

After two days of near constant meetings, Diane had decided to reward herself with a meal in her favourite gastropub in the next village.

“Good evening, Mrs Thompson,” the maître d’ greeted her. “I’ve saved your favourite table for you.”

He led her to a small table in the front corner of the room, next to a window that overlooked the pub entrance.

“Thank you, David,” she said, as he handed her a menu. “I’ll have a gin and tonic right away, please. It’s been quite a day.”

“Of course,” David said.

Diane checked the blackboard on which the daily specials were listed and decided on the crispy sweetbreads.

David promptly reappeared with her drink. Diane ordered her food and took a sip from the tall glass.

“Ah.” She couldn’t help herself from sighing in contentment at the fresh taste in her mouth.

Diane looked around the room. A few tables were occupied, but it was still quite early. The place would fill up soon enough.

In the first couple of years after the divorce, Diane had not gone out to eat very often. She had of course been out with friends and with Timothy and Lucy, but it had taken a long time for her to get used to dining out on her own. These days, she quite enjoyed the tranquillity of it. She usually read a book or just observed the people around her.

A movement outside caught the corner of her eye. Probably some diners arriving. The door to the restaurant opened and a young brown-haired woman walked in, followed by a familiar-looking figure.

Tamsin.

Diane had been so busy that she’d not really had time to think much about the pro, but seeing her now brought everything that had happened in Portugal back to the forefront of her mind.

When they had said goodbye at the airport, Diane had brushed off what had happened the night before as insignificant, at least in front of Tamsin. She thought she’d done quite a convincing job of acting nonchalant, while inside, she had felt the exact opposite.

She watched as David led Tamsin and her companion to a table in an alcove on the other side of the dining room. When they’d sat down, Diane had a partial view of Tamsin’s back, but she was facing the other woman, albeit from a safe distance. Tamsin had not yet seen Diane, or if she had, she was doing a good job at pretending she hadn’t.

Diane wondered who the woman was. Tamsin had mentioned a sister in London, but this woman looked nothing like Tamsin. She was much shorter than Tamsin and had a broad face with wide features, whereas Tamsin’s face was longer and sharper.

A date, then? The two women did not look as comfortable in each other’s presence as two people would who’d known each other a while. Maybe it was a first date. Not that Diane could remember how that felt.

A little knot tied itself in Diane’s stomach at the thought that Tamsin might be on a date. It was a feeling she had never experienced before, at least that she could remember. Tamsin seemed to bring up a lot of unfamiliar feelings in Diane.

The first time she had seen Lawrence with Debbie on his arm, it had caused turmoil inside her, of course. She’d been uncomfortable, sad, and angry most of all. But she hadn’t been jealous. She had not wanted to be in Debbie’s place, whereas now, all she could think was that she wished she was the one sitting across from Tamsin.

The waiter arrived with her food and placed it in front of Diane. Her appetite seemed to have vanished, but she started taking a few small bites. The dish was delicious, but she couldn’t even bring herself to eat half of it.

Diane took her book out from her bag and tried to focus on that instead of what was happening across the room, but she found her gaze wandering up and towards Tamsin’s table every few minutes.

Tamsin’s companion was looking around the restaurant, seemingly not paying that much attention to what Tamsin was saying. Diane couldn’t imagine not hanging on every one of Tamsin’s words if she were the one sitting across from her.

The woman’s gaze finally landed on Diane and Diane looked down quickly at her book. She did her best to keep reading, but again her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own. When she glanced up next, she found Tamsin’s date staring straight at her. The woman leaned over towards Tamsin and said something, which caused Tamsin to turn around and lock eyes with Diane.

Diane gave her a small wave and smile, trying hard to come across as normal as possible. Tamsin returned the wave and then turned back to her companion.

What was Tamsin saying to her date about the lady who kept staring at them from the other side of the dining room? She’s a lady from the club I work at. Divorced a few years ago, but still alone. A bit sad really, she seems to have a bit of a crush on me.

Diane gave her head a small shake. What had brought on that thought? Surely, she didn’t have a crush on a woman, let alone one fifteen years her junior.

To distract her mind from its current train of thought, she attempted to eat more of the sweetbreads but gave up after a few bites. She pushed the plate away.

As if by magic David appeared at her table. “Can I take this away, Mrs Thompson?”

“Yes, please,” Diane said. “Tell the chef it was delicious, but I was not as hungry as I thought.”

Diane washed her hands in the restaurant bathroom. She had quickly paid her bill after her plate had been taken away, skipping dessert or coffee, wanting to just head home.

The door to the bathroom opened. In the reflection of the mirror Diane saw Tamsin walk in and stop behind her.

“Diane,” she said.

When nothing else seemed to be forthcoming, Diane turned around to face Tamsin, her hands dripping water onto the floor.

“Tamsin, how nice to see you,” Diane said. “I see you’ve discovered one of the area’s hidden gastronomic secrets. This is the best place for a relaxed bite.” Stop babbling, she told herself.

“Yes,” Tamsin replied, “it’s very nice. I, er…” She looked down at her feet. “Sarah chose it.”

“Ah,” Diane said. “Sarah has excellent taste, then. Is she…” Diane didn’t know what she wanted to ask exactly.

“We’re on a date. We met on Tinder.” Tamsin gave a small chuckle.

“I see.” Diane looked around for the hand dryer to give herself something to do while she figured out what to say next. She inserted her hands into the machine and the noise of the blower drowned out all possibility for a conversation. When her hands were dry she turned around to find Tamsin standing in the exact same spot.

“How’s the date going?” Diane asked.

“Let’s just say I doubt there’ll be a second one.” Tamsin smiled wryly.

“How come?” Diane asked with an unintended edge to her voice. “Is she too mature for your taste? I thought you liked them younger. At least that’s what you told me.” Diane couldn’t believe what had come out of her own mouth.

The look of consternation on Tamsin’s face told Diane that she had definitely overstepped some kind of boundary.

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “That came out all wrong.”

“Never mind.” Tamsin disappeared into one of the stalls.

Diane heard the lock being secured forcefully. She stared at the door a few seconds longer before walking out of the bathroom and heading for the car park. She’d probably just ruined the first significant new friendship she’d made in years.