The Certainty of Chance by Jacquelyn Middleton

Author:Jacquelyn Middleton
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781999275334
Publisher: Kirkwall Books

Arms flailed, fists punched the air, and lyrics were shouted at full volume as the lower level of Micah’s house morphed into a sweaty, claustrophobic dance club. With friends and family taking turns playing DJ, the set list was eclectic and fun, spanning different genres and tastes, guaranteeing non-stop dancing in the kitchen, dining room, and even outside in the wee garden.

Madeleine and Julian jumped around and laughed, breathlessly singing the lyrics of Elvis Costello’s “Pump It Up” until the final strains dissolved into a classic acid house track featuring a mournful saxophone and a haunting sample of a loon, a water bird common to North America.

“I’m dying for another drink.” Chasing breaths, Julian loosened his tie.

Madeleine nodded and fanned her cheeks, her pulse pounding from their half hour of non-stop dancing. I’m so gonna feel this tomorrow, but I don’t care! She wiped perspiration from her brow, but her perma-grin held firm. “I can’t remember the last time I danced so hard.” Truth be told, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun, period. Just think, none of this would be happening if that manic guy in the fugly plaid coat hadn’t stolen my taxi.

Zigzagging through the sweaty bodies, Madeleine chased breaths while admiring Julian’s ass in his black trousers. The cabbie hadn’t been kidding at the pub quiz. He did like “a dance”. However, his definition of dancing left out the fact he was fond of a sexy hip swivel and an impromptu body roll. Who knew?

He looked back, leaning into Madeleine’s ear. “Oh, this song brings back memories.”

“Good ones?”

“Loud ones!” His gaze washed over a cluster of wine and liquor bottles crowding the kitchen counter. “My corgi, Winnie, barking his head off. He hates the bird sample.”

“You own a corgi?! You didn’t say!” Madeleine tugged open the fridge door as Julian rescued a chilled bottle of white wine sitting precariously on top of a pile of napkins. “Pembrokeshire or Cardigan?” She grabbed a beer for Julian and stepped aside, allowing two of Micah’s friends to help themselves next.

“Pembrokeshire,” said Julian, pulling out the cork.

She smiled. “Are you pouring me a glass of wine?”

“I am.” He grinned, spotting his beer in her hand. “Winnie’s with my ex temporarily. I’ll have him back after Christmas.” He tilted the bottle above the lip of a long-stemmed glass. “I can’t wait! My flat is so quiet without him.”

“I wish I could have a dog.” She watched the wine sparkle as it rose in her glass. “Do you have photos?”

“Now that’s a dangerous question. We could be here all night…”

“Sounds perfect! Show me.” Madeleine left his beer on the counter and budged closer.

Julian set down the wine bottle. “Okay, but I did warn you.”

He opened an album on his phone featuring over 3,000 images of big-eared Winnie, his soulful brown eyes and boopable black nose beyond adorable. Flipping through, Madeleine spotted pictures of Winnie outside Buckingham Palace’s gates, playing with a stuffed Paddington Bear twice his size, and sitting beneath the starry lights strung across Coal Drops Yard.

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