Secrets and Fries at the Starlight Diner Page 29

  ‘Hmm. I was right – you really are a fast mover,’ I said, stroking a hand through his blonde hair.

  ‘It hasn’t felt fast to me,’ Jimmy said.

  ‘I suppose we have been dancing around each other for a good few weeks now.’

  ‘No, I don’t mean the last month.’ Jimmy’s breathing deepened and he stared harder at me. I mean the last thirty-four years of my life.’

  At his words, my breath caught in my throat. I looked his face up and down. Really studying it. So I’d never forget what it looked like in this moment.

  ‘I know what you mean,’ I admitted. ‘I’ve waited a long time for you too.’

  ‘That’s why I don’t want to hold back on this, I want to find somewhere we can call home together,’ said Jimmy.

  ‘Well, it’ll happen,’ I said. ‘But I think in a way we’ve already found a home together. At each other’s side.’

  Jimmy’s stare softened but he was trying to fight off a grin, which meant he had some smart comment to make.

  ‘What?’ I asked.

  ‘Nothing. Just thinking that surely there’s a hit song in that somewhere?’

  ‘I don’t know, but if there is I’ll write it for you,’ I replied, and put my arms around him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. Looking over his shoulder, I saw my friends chattering and drinking together. A whole family of people who in less than a month had made me part of their lives. They were all oblivious to me watching them, caught up in conversations and animated discussions. But even though they didn’t notice me, I smiled at each of them in turn and whispered into Jimmy’s ear, ‘We’ve found home now.’

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I’d like to extend my thanks to my editor, Eloise Wood, for working with me to create the second book in the Starlight Diner series. It absolutely couldn’t have come into being without her unshakable honesty, openness and keen editorial eye.

  Thanks also to Guardian Agent Joanna Swainson who guides me week in, week out on my journey. I’m so very grateful for all the encouragement, advice and general kindness you have shown me.

  Thank you to Helen Fields, Victoria Yates and Dr Daniel Freedman, who have not only championed my work but offered advice on the legal and medical aspects of this story. Thank you to Jon Male for letting me pick his brain about American cars. Thank you also to Nigel Floyd who has offered a much-needed honest opinion on plot and structure.

  To my writing partner, Dean Cummings, thank you for your tireless support of who I am and what I write. For being a safe tether to cling to during stormy writing times and for taking the time to understand me.

  When your daughter/sister/niece/wife is an author, life is hard. Thank you to my family and to my husband for putting up with my authorly ways and for telling me it’s a good thing that I keep putting words on the page.

  ‘With its shades of light and dark, this delicious debut is a page-turner you’d be mad to miss’

  SAMANTHA TONGE

  The first book in the Starlight Diner series is a smart, retro read with a compelling plot.

  Click here to buy now.

  About the Author

  Helen Cox is a book-devouring, photo-taking, film-obsessed novelist. If forced to choose one, Helen’s Mastermind specialism would be Grease 2. To this day, she still adheres to the Pink Lady pledge, and when somebody asks her if she is a god, she says ‘yes’.

  After completing her MA in creative writing at York St. John University, Helen found work writing for a range of magazines, websites and blogs, as well as writing news and features for TV and radio. She has written three non-fiction books and founded the independent film publication New Empress Magazine. She currently lives in York and writes novels.

  More information about Helen can be found on her website: helencoxauthor.wordpress.com.

  She can be found on Twitter: @Helenography.

  By the same author

  Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner

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