‘I don’t know, that doesn’t seem fair,’ he points out – I’m a little taken aback by his response. ‘I much prefer doing TV stuff, I think that’s more my forte.’
It’s refreshing to talk to someone who could easily get a book deal but doesn’t want to take it because they don’t feel it’s their area of expertise.
‘What kind of stuff do you write?’ he continues. ‘JJ said you do biographies?’
‘Yeah,’ I reply. ‘I’m working on a novel but it’s the non-fiction work that’s the day job.’
‘Well, I’ll know who to come to when I need mine doing,’ he says with a smile. ‘So that’s the job. What’s the dream? You said you’re writing a novel?’
‘Yes,’ I reply, slightly embarrassed, because isn’t it a cliché that a writer always says they’re writing a novel? Like we all think our work is so much bigger and more important than every other book that already exists. ‘I’m trying to get a romcom published. JJ is working on selling it for me.’
‘Well, she seems great,’ he replies. ‘I’m sure she won’t have any trouble. So you’re a romantic, huh?’
Hmm. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a romantic, although maybe I am, given how unwilling to settle I am. I just love writing love stories. There’s so much going on in the world, so many big stories to tell, few of them happy. Finding love is tough… it’s a small story in the world but huge for the person who finds it. Reading about people’s little glimmers of happiness gives us more hope than the bigger things. At least that’s what I think.
‘Something like that,’ I say with a small laugh.
I’m not sure that is or isn’t what he wants to hear.
‘We’re all looking for romance,’ he replies, sensing my embarrassment. ‘Take it from someone who flew halfway across the world to live on a deserted beach for six weeks, all the while with cameras in his face, just to try to find love.’
‘Yeah, I was going to say – have you not heard of Matcher or Tinder or Hinge?’ I jokingly check. ‘There has to be an easier way…’
‘To be honest, it wasn’t so bad. Most of it was lying around, flirting, and failing to catch fish. Not like this year’s series, where it all went wrong – did you watch?’
I shake my head. I didn’t watch, although I did hear about the storm that almost took it off the air – and of course about the forthcoming books that JJ has a couple of the contestants writing about their time on the now infamous season.
‘I ordered us the tasting menu,’ he says as a waiter places food down in front of us. ‘I hope you don’t mind. I just wanted to do something special for you.’
‘Sounds fantastic,’ I reply. ‘Looks fantastic too!’
Our first two plates are tuna tartare and then a burrata dish with roasted tomatoes for me. Given that it’s a tasting menu, it’s those impossible little bites, where the servings are so small they always leave you wanting more – I guess that’s why you tend to get twelve tiny courses instead of three regular ones.
As dates go, honestly, this one is kind of a dream. I thought dating a reality TV type would be obnoxious, that he’d think he was a mega star, that he’d be showing off. Max is funny, sharp, self-deprecating. Not at all like the cardboard cut-out I’d expected. The date somehow feels both incredibly special but completely normal – in the best possible way.
‘Did you actually think you’d find love on the show?’ I ask eventually.
Max smiles.
‘Honestly? No, not really. I went for the experience. My agent at the time said it’d be good for my “profile” too. And it was – it tripled my followers, got me brand deals. I can’t walk into a club without someone trying to buy me a drink or slipping me their number.’
‘Sounds like you got what you wanted,’ I reply.
‘Hmm,’ he says, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts. ‘I suppose I knew it wasn’t a real way to find love. Not for most people. But you’re there for six weeks with no distractions, no phones, no work, which gives you this odd clarity. If “the one” had been there, I would have known almost right away, without all the bullshit, and the change of pace was nice. All the noise now, it makes it harder. I want a low-key life, no celeb bullshit, just normal dinners with a nice girl. Don’t get me wrong though, I love my fans, they’re the reason I’m here. I’ll never forget that.’
I smile. Honestly, Max isn’t the kind of guy I was expecting at all. So far, he’s ticking a lot of boxes. Charming. Funny. Good eye contact. Asks me questions. Has JJ actually done it? Has she found someone I can see myself going on a second date with? As much as I want the book deal, finding the real thing for myself – not only for my characters – matters a lot to me too.
‘Excuse me,’ a small voice says. ‘Sorry to bother you…’
We both look up.
She’s maybe twenty, tops. Blonde hair in a messy bun, oversized blazer over a sparkly dress, black tights and chunky white trainers. She’s clutching her phone in both hands.
‘It’s you…’ She swallows. ‘Max Hart! FromWelcome to Singledom!’
Max’s whole face lights up.
‘Hey, yeah, that’s me,’ he replies.