studio by five. Even when I’m not working, it’s hard to shut off the internal clock.’
Clare grinned. ‘Tell me about it.’
‘So what can I get you?’ Nicholas asked, sliding the menu across the table. A half-full espresso cup sat in front of him.
‘I’ll have the same as you.’ As Nicholas beckoned over the waiter, she took the opportunity to examine him. With a high forehead and straight nose, he was actually much better looking than his Facebook photo. That must be a first, she smiled to herself. The Breton-striped jumper and jeans fit his solid body perfectly.
‘So.’ Turning back to face her, Nicholas caught her giving him the once-over, and Clare quickly averted her eyes. ‘Thanks for meeting with me—I’m sorry I couldn’t make Wednesday. But I’m really interested in learning more about the club. It’s so hard to meet like-minded people, women especially. When I saw your Facebook advert pop up, I knew I had to get in touch.’
‘I’m glad you did,’ Clare said. ‘I’ve had a great response to the ad, but a lot of people aren’t based in London or just want to make it an online thing. I started the club to create a real-life social networking group for both men and women to meet new people. So many of my friends are housebound now with families.’
‘Children do have a way of cramping your lifestyle.’ Nicholas made a face, and for a second, it almost seemed as if he was speaking from experience. ‘I’ve seen it first-hand with my brother and his wife,’ he explained quickly. ‘They used to be huge clubbers, and now a good night out involves heading to the off-license for wine and frozen pizza. With the energy my two nieces have, I can’t say I blame them.’
Clare laughed. ‘That’s precisely why I formed the club. I’m hoping with time and a few more members, we can arrange some weekend getaways and other activities, too.’
‘Sounds perfect.’ Nicholas smiled, and again Clare was struck by how handsome he was. ‘How many members do you have so far?’
‘Only three, but it’s early days. I’ve set up a Facebook page and I’m looking for other ways to spread the word. I’m sure there are loads of people in London who want a place to get together and have fun without conversations constantly being hijacked by kids. I just need a way to reach them. Any ideas?’ As someone who worked in media, maybe he could suggest a strategy.
Nicholas tilted his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. ‘Actually, I might be able to help with that. Wake Up London is always looking for new events, different trends, and the like. If you want, I can pitch your club to my boss and see what he makes of it. It’d definitely be a great way to get more members.’
‘That would be fantastic!’ Clare’s eyes widened with enthusiasm .
‘Let me talk to him and I’ll get back to you.’
The waiter set an espresso in front of her, and Clare breathed in the heady scent of coffee. ‘Cheers!’ she grinned before lifting it to her lips for a sip.
‘Cheers! Here’s to the No-Kids Club . . . and to living child-free.’ Nicholas raised his drink in the air, too, meeting her eyes as their cups clinked. Clare felt her cheeks flush under his intense gaze.
‘Tell me a bit more about you, then,’ she said, lowering her head to hide the redness of her face. ‘Do you enjoy working in TV?’ What a silly question, she chastised herself. God, she really was out of practice.
But Nicholas just nodded. ‘I love it,’ he said. ‘I don’t have the angst of appearing on air, and it’s very satisfying to see your piece come together. You get to create something every day—even if it is sometimes a little frivolous, such as interviewing a fashion designer for dogs.’ He laughed, and Clare joined in. It was so nice to see someone in London who, like her, actually enjoyed their job. Most of the men she’d met spoke of their work as a necessary evil. Something else we have in common, Clare
Clare grinned. ‘Tell me about it.’
‘So what can I get you?’ Nicholas asked, sliding the menu across the table. A half-full espresso cup sat in front of him.
‘I’ll have the same as you.’ As Nicholas beckoned over the waiter, she took the opportunity to examine him. With a high forehead and straight nose, he was actually much better looking than his Facebook photo. That must be a first, she smiled to herself. The Breton-striped jumper and jeans fit his solid body perfectly.
‘So.’ Turning back to face her, Nicholas caught her giving him the once-over, and Clare quickly averted her eyes. ‘Thanks for meeting with me—I’m sorry I couldn’t make Wednesday. But I’m really interested in learning more about the club. It’s so hard to meet like-minded people, women especially. When I saw your Facebook advert pop up, I knew I had to get in touch.’
‘I’m glad you did,’ Clare said. ‘I’ve had a great response to the ad, but a lot of people aren’t based in London or just want to make it an online thing. I started the club to create a real-life social networking group for both men and women to meet new people. So many of my friends are housebound now with families.’
‘Children do have a way of cramping your lifestyle.’ Nicholas made a face, and for a second, it almost seemed as if he was speaking from experience. ‘I’ve seen it first-hand with my brother and his wife,’ he explained quickly. ‘They used to be huge clubbers, and now a good night out involves heading to the off-license for wine and frozen pizza. With the energy my two nieces have, I can’t say I blame them.’
Clare laughed. ‘That’s precisely why I formed the club. I’m hoping with time and a few more members, we can arrange some weekend getaways and other activities, too.’
‘Sounds perfect.’ Nicholas smiled, and again Clare was struck by how handsome he was. ‘How many members do you have so far?’
‘Only three, but it’s early days. I’ve set up a Facebook page and I’m looking for other ways to spread the word. I’m sure there are loads of people in London who want a place to get together and have fun without conversations constantly being hijacked by kids. I just need a way to reach them. Any ideas?’ As someone who worked in media, maybe he could suggest a strategy.
Nicholas tilted his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. ‘Actually, I might be able to help with that. Wake Up London is always looking for new events, different trends, and the like. If you want, I can pitch your club to my boss and see what he makes of it. It’d definitely be a great way to get more members.’
‘That would be fantastic!’ Clare’s eyes widened with enthusiasm .
‘Let me talk to him and I’ll get back to you.’
The waiter set an espresso in front of her, and Clare breathed in the heady scent of coffee. ‘Cheers!’ she grinned before lifting it to her lips for a sip.
‘Cheers! Here’s to the No-Kids Club . . . and to living child-free.’ Nicholas raised his drink in the air, too, meeting her eyes as their cups clinked. Clare felt her cheeks flush under his intense gaze.
‘Tell me a bit more about you, then,’ she said, lowering her head to hide the redness of her face. ‘Do you enjoy working in TV?’ What a silly question, she chastised herself. God, she really was out of practice.
But Nicholas just nodded. ‘I love it,’ he said. ‘I don’t have the angst of appearing on air, and it’s very satisfying to see your piece come together. You get to create something every day—even if it is sometimes a little frivolous, such as interviewing a fashion designer for dogs.’ He laughed, and Clare joined in. It was so nice to see someone in London who, like her, actually enjoyed their job. Most of the men she’d met spoke of their work as a necessary evil. Something else we have in common, Clare
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