Page 108 of Don't You Forget About Me

‘Look at the time! Best call your cab,’ Lucas says.

‘Luc,’ I say. The nickname is deliberate. I take a risk. A premeditated risk. ‘So you know when you hired me? I … overheard you saying to Dev you didn’t want the pub to turn into Hooters.’

Lucas startles.

‘Did I say that?’

‘Uh … I thought you did. I was having a fag outside the kitchen window, after the wake.’

‘Oh, I was probably pissed …’ He looks awkward and I worry I shouldn’t have pushed my luck.

‘I didn’t think I had the dumb blonde, big rack look.’

‘You don’t!’

‘Robin called me “Topshop Diana Dors”.’

‘Wow. He looks like Leo Sayer.’ Lucas pauses. ‘I was … probably just putting Devlin in his place for jumping in and hiring when he was half cut.’

‘Right.’

‘… I’m really sorry if it sounded like I was passing judgement on your appearance. It came out flip and rude because I was jibing at Dev. Oh …’ he rubs the back of his head, ‘I feel like such a wanker now.’

It was always a risky gambit, confronting Lucas with this, and right now it’s deservedly backfiring. He’s uncomfortable and I’ve damaged the easy-going mood.

‘No, I know you’d never insult me. It’s just – sometimes I worry that I don’t attract the right sort of man. Robin was surprised I’d read books. Maybe I should dye my hair dark and ditch the pink coat.’

That’s better, Georgina, I think. I mean, creakingly manipulative compliment-fishing, but just about getting away with it.

‘Any man who doesn’t recognise an intelligent woman because of her hair colour isn’t worth knowing.’

‘Yeah. True.’

Well that trap failed.

‘I’m not tanned enough for Hooters anyway.’ Argh, let it go, Georgina. Can you hear yourself.

‘I really wouldn’t worry about it. You’re lovely as you are.’

WOAH. Scored in injury time.Lovely. Lucas McCarthy thinks I’m lovely.Of all the faces to ruin.That meant something. It had to. My heart is pounding so loud I’m surprised the neighbours haven’t knocked on the wall to ask me to turn it down.

‘OK.’ Lucas glances at the wall clock. ‘Taxi.’ He gets up to call from the phone behind the bar.

Make a move, make a move.

‘One for the road?’ I call, as Lucas puts the phone back. I’m not sure why pubs still have landlines, really. I shouldn’t have let him call it. I could’ve pretended I was getting one on my app.

‘Ack, go on,’ Lucas says.

Gleefully, I pour out more as he comes back to our table. He picks up the glass, clinks with mine, the back of his fingers making the faintest contact against my own. Our eyes meet as we down it. I unconsciously lick a drop from my lips and his eyes flick towards this movement so briefly, I can’t tell if I saw it or saw what I wanted to see.

Car lights sweep up to the window and Lucas stands up and says, his tone impossible to read: ‘Oh, that was quick.’

I thinkno no no no, getting to my feet. The lights travel onward and Lucas says ‘False alarm.’

I’m right by him, and I’m looking up at him as he’s looking down at me and the world is holding its breath and I know that it’s now or never.

‘Lucas?’ I say.

---