The Perfect Match by Lynne Hallett

Michael knew he was ready to move on, but was Sandra?

MICHAEL’S heart missed a beat when he spied Sandra a short way ahead, hands in her pockets and head down, looking deep in thought.

Buddy, her cocker spaniel, was scampering around, snuffling in the bushes, and it was only seconds before Rambo, his black Labrador, noticed his friend and decided to join in.

Charging off like the Hound of the Baskervilles, Rambo covered the distance in no time, and although Michael picked up speed, he was no match for his dog.

Sandra had already turned around after patting Rambo and was waiting for him.

Michael jogged over to her, pleased to see her face break into a wide smile.

She was very attractive, way out of his league, and the only woman to have made his heart flutter since losing Angie.

But from what she had implied during their dog walks, Sandra wasn’t ready to move on from a previous relationship.

He couldn’t quite dismiss the possibility that their friendship might develop into something more meaningful, though.

What he was intending to ask her today might be a first step towards that, if handled well.

“Michael. Nice to see you. How are things?”

“Oh, same old, same old. What about you? From back there you looked deep in thought.”

He noticed her cheeks redden.

“Oh, did I? Nothing worth mentioning really.”

“Right.” There was a pause and he cleared his throat. “Actually, something interesting did happen today.” “Sounds exciting.”

“I got an invitation to my cousin’s wedding.”

“That’s nice. Was it a surprise?” Sandra asked.

“Yes and no. He’s been with Shirley for years. I’m surprised he hasn’t made an honest woman of her sooner.”

“I’m not sure I’d have stuck around that long if he wasn’t prepared to commit.” She kicked at a tuft of grass.

“I think it was the way his first marriage ended that put him off,” Michael explained. “But I do take your point.”

“Things like this remind me of how lucky I was.”

“Me, too. Not everyone finds their perfect match.”

“No, and it does make you wonder if there’s more than one perfect match out there for you.

“Do you ever think that?”

Sandra turned to look at him.

His heart was beating even faster, but he tried to keep his voice calm.

“I think there’s more than one person out there for everyone.”

He looked back at her and she held his glance for a moment before turning away.

They walked in silence for a few moments. Maybe now would be the time to ask her. If he kept it light, she surely wouldn’t be offended.

Michael hadn’t felt like this since being at school. He almost laughed at how strange it was for a man in his sixties to be feeling like a teenager.

“Well, going back to the wedding invitation. It’s actually an invitation for me and . . .”

Sandra’s phone pinging interrupted him.

“I’m really sorry, Michael. Do you mind if I just get that?”

“No, not at all,” he replied, but inside he was cursing.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and watched her flush again.

“Are you OK, Sandra?”

Michael asked her once she had ended the call.

“I don’t know, to be honest,” she replied, putting the phone back in her pocket.

He said nothing, hoping she would tell him what had perturbed her. But the silence only extended.

“Is it anything I can help with?” he asked.

She hesitated and then gave an embarrassed laugh.

“I’ve signed up with a dating agency.”

“You’ve what?” The words were out before he had time to think of a more suitable response.

Sandra turned to look at him.

“There’s no need to sound so shocked. I am a modern woman, you know, and this is the modern way of doing things.”

It was his turn to blush. “I’m just . . . surprised, that’s all,” Michael said, clearing his throat. “I hadn’t realised you were ready to move on.”

“I feel very lonely. It’s all well and good having a dog, but it’s hardly the same, is it?”

“Why a dating agency?” he asked.

“Lois suggested it,”

she said tersely, “and I didn’t think it was such a bad idea.”

He paused.

“And I guess that ping was someone showing interest?”

She didn’t respond. “I’m sure there will be men queuing up to date you, Sandra.” Michael tried hard to keep the disappointment out of his voice, but knew he had failed.

Before the conversation could go further, there was the sound of two loud splashes as Buddy and Rambo, having reached the lake, dived in.

Within seconds, there were also panicked cries on the other side of the lake from a young woman.

“What’s going on there?” Michael asked.

“It’s her dog. There, see?” Sandra pointed at a dog flailing in the water.

Michael hurried over to the woman and Sandra ran after him.

“Can you help me? My dog’s in trouble!” The young woman turned a pale face and horrified eyes towards him.

“Is he used to water?” “Yes, he’s usually fine.” “He’s probably just tired, then.”

“Please save him.” Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

Sandra put a comforting arm around her.

“Don’t cry, love. I’ll get him for you,” Michael said, pulling off his shoes, then his coat and jumper. “Thank you so much.” Michael knew the lake wasn’t that deep, but for a little dog it was. Getting a bit wet wasn’t going to hurt him.

He waded into the lake and then, as the water became deeper, began to swim rapidly towards the dog, which continued to struggle.

Buddy and Rambo followed him.

Together they reached the dog. Michael grabbed hold of him and swam back to the edge.

The young woman, tears still streaming down her face, reached out for her dog and held him close.

“You’re safe now, Jasper, thanks to this gentleman. Come here.” She cuddled him close to her and put her face on his head.

Michael, standing on dry land, ran his hands through his hair to get off some of the excess water and shook his limbs, but he was drenched.

“You need to get him to a vet as soon as possible, love. He may have swallowed water. He’ll need checking out. Do you have a car with you?”

“Yes, I parked in the lane.”

“We’ll walk back with you once I’ve got my shoes back on. I’m Michael and this is Sandra.”

“I’m Lydia. Thank you, Michael. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Don’t mention it,” he said, standing up and shivering.

Sandra offered him his coat.

“And you need to come back with me and get yourself warm and dry. I can put your clothes through the tumble dryer.”

They walked back to Sandra’s house and, double checking that Lydia would be OK to drive, went inside with the dogs.

“You can have a shower here, Michael. I’ll get you some towels,” Sandra said as she took off her coat and boots.

“It’s fine, Sandra. I can drive home and get sorted there. I just need a bin bag to put over the car seat, if you have one.”

“No, you can’t do that. You need to get warm as soon as possible.” Michael looked at her. “You’re quite determined, aren’t you?”

She picked up his jumper. “Yes, I am. Come on, this way. There’s the bathroom.”

Sandra vanished into her bedroom, leaving him for a few seconds, before reappearing with some large towels and a dressing-gown.

“I’m afraid I don’t have men’s clothes knocking around any more.”

He smiled and took the towels.

“Understood.”

“I’ll wait in the bedroom until you’re sorted and then I’ll dry your clothes.”

“All right.” He vanished into the bathroom and got out of his wet clothes.

“I’ve put them on the landing,” he called, before turning the shower on.

The water warmed him up very quickly, but it couldn’t lift his spirits. He couldn’t believe he had missed his moment.

If she’d signed up to a dating agency, she clearly didn’t have feelings for him.

That said, he had done a good job of concealing his, so how was she to know he was interested?

What was the next step? Forget it and nurse his broken heart, or tell her how he felt before another man whisked her off on a date?

By the time Michael had turned off the shower and towelled himself dry, he had made his decision.

He put the dressing-gown on. His clothes wouldn’t be dry quite yet.

He headed towards the kitchen to find the kettle boiling and a tea tray on the table.

Sandra was sitting at the table, phone in hand, when he entered.

His heart sank. He hoped she hadn’t replied to anyone while he was showering.

She looked up and put the phone to one side.

“I hope you drink tea, Michael,” she said. “I always think it’s good in a crisis.”

“I wouldn’t go as far as to say it was a crisis. The dog is saved, I’m clean and warm and my clothes are being attended to.

“I may not exactly look the master of sartorial elegance, but it could have been a lot worse.” Sandra giggled.

“Do you take sugar?” “No, just a splash of milk will be fine.” Michael watched her make the tea.

Her hands were fine and delicate and her nails beautifully manicured.

He took a deep breath. This was his make-or-break moment.

“I’m not very good at steering conversations round cleverly, Sandra, but I just wanted to apologise for my reaction when you mentioned the dating agency.”

“You don’t need to apologise for that. You’re entitled to your opinion.”

“The thing is, I think you misunderstood. I don’t disapprove of them, which is how I think it came across.”

“Oh?” Sandra sipped her tea and looked across the table at him.

“You see, the thing is . . . erm . . .” Michael paused, putting his free hand through his wet hair. “Yes?” she prompted. “Well, I hope it won’t spoil our friendship, but I don’t want to miss my chance, and if you get together with one of these guys you meet online, I will.

“There, I’ve said it.” He exhaled.

She was silent but smiling, and shook her head.

“So that’s it. I had no idea.”

“I hope I haven’t embarrassed you.” Michael smiled and searched her face for answers.

“No, not at all,” she whispered. “I’m a bit taken aback. I hadn’t thought you were ready to move on. But you are?”

“Yes, I am.” His heart was beating fast again.

“Then I don’t think I need to bother with a dating agency, do I?”

“No, I don’t think you do.”

Sandra picked up her phone, swiped decisively, then turned it off.

“Were you going to ask me something when we were out walking?” “What?”

“You said something about an invitation.”

“Oh, yes, that. I was going to ask you if you’d be my plus one at my cousin’s wedding.

“That is, if you’d like to,” Michael added.

“I would be delighted, and it will be an excuse to buy a new dress, too.” Sandra smiled. “Perfect.”

And it became even more perfect when she took his hand in hers. ■