Page 33 of Five Things I Love About You

‘Poor thing.’

‘I know. She’s getting on a bit now so it’s a worry. I’m not sure what I’d do without her, but I suppose I’m going to have to prepare myself sooner rather than later.’

‘Have you had her since she was a puppy?’

‘Yeah. My ex-wife and I brought her home when she was just three months old and the kids were still quite little. She was always mine really though, so I got her in the divorce. I think Celeste was relieved, to be honest. Gladys got me through that time so I can’t bear to think about her not being here any more.’

‘I get that. We had a dog growing up and he was my best friend. I used to cry into his fur and tell him all my secrets.’ I grin at the memory. ‘Just as well he had no idea what I was saying or he’d have thought I was a complete lunatic.’

‘Nah. Dogs are like the best parts of humans. Plus they’re cheaper than a therapist, and infinitely cuter.’

We walk in companionable silence for a while, through the busy streets of the city. I’m aware of Matt’s presence, his arm swinging in rhythm with mine as I try to memorise the route we’re taking. I came this way on Sunday but I didn’t take much notice then, so I want to try and remember some of it this time.

The descent gradually becomes steeper and steeper, past grand, grey stone buildings, which Matt chatters to me about as we walk. We turn off the main road onto some narrow back streets, and he points out places of interest, such as the vampire rabbit carved above a doorway near the cathedral. ‘Apparently it was meant to scare off grave robbers but I’ve got no idea whether that’s true,’ Matt says, as we swing back onto the main road.

Finally, we reach the last, steep drop towards the dark green steel of the Tyne Bridge. Through a gap between the brickwork I can make out a slice of the Tyne river, which glitters in the early afternoon sunshine.

‘Do you fancy going for a drink?’ Matt says.

‘Why not? Where?’

‘I rarely come drinking down here.’ He glances round, then points at a squarish building tucked down a side street. ‘How about there?’

Moments later we’re settled at a table in the window, a glass of wine each. Now we’re here I feel shy, unsure of myself. Is it because it suddenly feels like a date?

‘So, when do you start work?’ Matt says, taking a sip of his wine.

‘I’m at a school in Gosforth the first week back after the holidays,’ I say. ‘Covering year 10 and 11 classes.’

‘Oof, tough crowd.’

‘You’d think, wouldn’t you? But actually they’re my favourite age because they’re almost adults, and it feels like you can actually teach them something meaningful. Even give them a passion for the rest of their lives.’

Matt’s watching me with interest, and I feel my face flush. I don’t often talk about my job. I usually assume people think it’s boring, that being a teacher is a hard job that nobody really wants to do. But the truth is, I love it. Always have.

‘What made you want to do it? I mean, it can’t be easy, working with teenagers.’

I shake my head. ‘I really wanted to be a dancer, but by the time I was six and failed my ballet exam I realised that was never going to happen.’ I grin. ‘But I suppose I just love books and thought teaching might be a way of spreading the love.’ I run my finger round the rim of my glass. ‘How about you? How did you get into charity fundraising?’

He goes quiet and I wonder whether I’ve said the wrong thing. ‘The charity I work for helps sick children and their parents,’ he says. ‘So, when a child gets ill, we offer support for both them and the parents – finding them somewhere to stay near hospital, helping with travel expenses, or putting them in touch with another family going through the same thing. Whatever they need.’ He looks down at his glass then back up at me and I can see something behind his eyes. Pain? My heart thumps.

‘The thing is, when my son was six he was quite ill. He had lots of heart operations and it was a really difficult time. I suppose I wanted to give something back.’

I don’t know what to say, so I just let the words settle for a moment. Eventually, I speak. ‘What an amazing thing to do.’

He shrugs. ‘It’s a paid job, so not so amazing. But it does feel worthwhile. When you see how grateful the families are, it can be the most rewarding thing in the world.’ He clears his throat and looks up. ‘Anyway, enough about me. How have your first few days in Newcastle been?’

‘Good, I think,’ I say. ‘I’m slowly getting to know the place although I don’t think I’ve picked up the accent yet.’

He grins. ‘It’ll come.’

We order another drink and chat some more. Soon the world starts to become a little hazier round the edges, and my words feel fluffy in my mouth, as though I’m speaking through cotton wool. It’s not an unpleasant sensation. Matt’s hands are close to mine on the tabletop and it wouldn’t take much for me to brush his fingers and…

‘So tell me a bit more about this man you’re trying to find. Jay, did you say he was called?’ he says, and the moment is gone. I snatch my hand away and pick up my glass.

‘Yes, that’s right,’ I say, sighing heavily. ‘I barely know him, to be honest. I’m beginning to worry I’ve made a huge mistake, coming here.’

‘There must have been something about him that caught your attention for you to up sticks and move all the way up here.’

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