Page 26 of You Belong With Me

‘Thank you, exactly!’ Edie said.

‘I don’t like gossip or judging people on one side of a story,’ Declan said, and Edie sensed him recalling things that had been said about her he’d rather not repeat. ‘I like to make up my own mind.’

A far better analysis presented itself of the Declan decision to join her. They’d attempted to poison Declan, yet he hadn’t drunk it. Declan was a long drink of antidote.

‘I told Jess I don’t know why you copped the flack you did,’ he concluded.

‘I think blaming the succubus woman is too appealing to a mob,’ Edie said. ‘People like straightforward bad guys. Or rather gals. Not that I’m saying feminism should clear my name – it was still wrong.’

‘Yeah, I caught a big stench of sexism to the whole thing. I’ve seen plenty of that double-standard shite thanks to my sisters. Also, to be frank, did you not do this man’s bride a fucked-up kind of favour? If he’d do that on his wedding day, imagine the hijinks by the golden anniversary. Probably find him cardigan off and dick loose with the whole bridge club.’

Again, Declan’s accent rendered this observation funnier, and Edie snorted.

Richard said they’d have an affinity, and Edie had doubted him. He was not only vindicated; she was flattered. If Declan was the male equivalent Edie, then that was fine by her.

Declan, for the fifth time, urged her to go home. ‘I’ll be grand, honestly – this is such an imposition!’

‘Hush,’ Edie said. ‘It’s a Friday skive.’

Admittedly, the sentiment was promptly undercut by a very short man smelling of beer and damp cigarettes doing a moonwalk past them, singing ‘Smooth Criminal’, punctuated by barking like a dog.

‘Should’ve known my ex would turn up,’ Edie said, making asuch is lifeface and offering Declan a Haribo worm.

‘Am I out of line in asking if the dragons series guy is your boyfriend?’

‘I don’t mind, and yes, he is,’ Edie said. This must be the first time she’d acknowledged it outside of her close circle. It felt really good.

‘That’s incredibly cool,’ Declan said, taking it in. It obviously had the status of quasi myth at Ad Hoc, and he’d not expected a straightforward confirmation. ‘I loved that show.For the blades of my brothers!’

Edie laughed. She allowed herself to enjoy it. In the captive tedium of an antiseptic-smelling room with plastic chairs, it was a talking point – and why not? There was only the looming risk of it becoming the most interesting thing about her.

‘I may be speaking out of turn …’ Edie said.

‘We’re into hour three – I want nothing but speaking out of turn,’ Declan said.

‘I don’t think your pal Jessica’s the biggest fan of my relationship. She called Richard on Boxing Day to tell him about a picture with Elliot on my Instagram.’

Edie didn’t want to force Declan to take or change sides, but she didn’t think it would hurt to make it abundantly clear thereweresides.

‘Really?’ Declan said. ‘Wait, I saw the photo, I think? Did it have a Taylor Swift song playing? My little sister loves her and loves him, so I showed her.’

‘Oh God, the songwason it.’ Edie put a palm over her eyes and groaned. ‘I am SUCH an indiscreet twat.’

‘I wish my twattish moments involved me looking super glam with some famous lad. I mean, maybe not a lad. You take my meaning.’

‘You’ve not left anyone in London? A significant other, as they say?’

‘Oh, nah. Was with my first girlfriend back home a long time, school sweetheart thing. Fell to pieces at the end of our twenties, really messy split.’

‘I can’t imagine you as a bad breaker-upper,’ Edie said, knowing she was being over familiar and also thinking, needs must. They could be here ages.

‘Messy in that it devastated both of us. She wanted me to move home and settle down, have kids. I knew I wasn’t ready. Sometimes it’s not that you love someone any less than they love you, but you can’t give them what they want, you know? You’d make yourself unhappy trying to do it and that means you’d make them unhappy. ButI don’t want what you wantonly ever sounds to the other person likeI don’t love you enough to try. OrI’m looking for a reason to justify leaving you.’

‘Yes,’ Edie said. ‘Know what you mean.’ That summary hit hard.

‘Declan Dunne!’ came the call from the desk, and Edie patted him on the arm and wished him luck as he was shepherded away.

She blandly checked her phone for the umpteenth time and saw:@elliotowenofficial has requested to follow you on Instagram.

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