Page 62 of Date with Destiny

I would also have to point out that he’s also the man who’s suddenly back in my life months later, desperately sorry and wanting… what? To get back together and forget everything that’s happened – everything he did? And maybe I could add that I don’t know how I feel or how much I still love him or whether I should get back with him or not. Should I also mention how much I desperately miss our old life and all the dogs we would’ve had and the future babies we could’ve brought up? But that I don’t know if I can forgive or trust him?

Mikey looks nervous, glancing between us. ‘Ha, don’t tellme,’ he begins jokingly. ‘You forgot you accidentally invited another date tonight!’

‘Date?’ Daniel chokes out, like he has been slapped. He looks to me for confirmation and it’s now my turn to stare down at my feet.

Shawn clears his throat, reaching across the circle. ‘Er, Daniel, mate, let’s go get a drink while this lot chat. You can speak to Ginny later.’

I meet Shawn’s eyes and nod, grateful, as he moves my shellshocked ex away towards the bar.

‘Phew!’ Mikey lets out a short laugh as everyone else breathes out. ‘What was that all about? Talk about awkward!’

‘Sorry,’ I mutter, humiliation crushing me. ‘That’s Daniel, my ex. I had no idea he was planning on turning up tonight.’

‘Oh shit.’ Mikey covers his mouth with shock, his own casual words to Daniel hitting him in the face. ‘God, I made that stupid joke about a date! I’m so sorry.’

‘Humph,’ Myfanwy grunts. ‘I don’t know what he’s playing at showing up like this.’ She turns to Toni. ‘And I’m not sure what you’re playing at either, tagging everyone into this place online. That kind of shit is a stalker’s dream.’

‘Daniel’s not a stalker!’ Toni scolds. She was always very fond of him. ‘And I think it’s romantic anyway! He’s come back here to win Ginny’s heart back.’

‘It’s not romantic!’ Myfanwy rolls her eyes. ‘Ginny has told him over and over to give her space. She couldn’t have been clearer and he’s chosen to ignore her wishes and put his ownpain above hers – again!’

‘But they never take no for an answer in the movies.’ Toni blinks hard. ‘Men are always turning up unexpectedly to win someone back!’

‘Patriarchy horse shit probably paid for by the Harvey Weinsteins of the world,’ Myfanwy declares. ‘We brainwash young men into thinking persistence is romantic. Never take no for an answer! It’s rape culture in an acceptable form.’

When Myfanwy gets going on rape culture, it’s quite hard to move her off it, so I step in. ‘Either way, it was really decent of Shawn to defuse the situation.’ I direct this at Toni because it’s probably the first almost-nice thing I’ve said about her boyfriend. I want her to know I see this other side to him. Maybe he’s not so dreadful after all.

I realize suddenly that we’ve all gotten quite loud, and our voices all sound oddly echoey. Glancing around, it’s clear why. Aside from Zach and Sonali chatting in a corner, plus Daniel and Shawn doing shots at the bar, the only people left at this party are me, Mikey, Toni and Myfanwy. Toni follows my gaze and her face falls as she takes in the remnants of her first real attempt at adulting.

‘Oh,’ she says sadly and Mikey slings an arm around her. ‘Oh Tone, don’t be sad. We’re the best people anyway.’ He whispers something in her ear and she giggles.

‘Are you serious?’ she asks and he nods, shooting me a mischievous look.

‘What?’ I ask, as Daniel and Shawn return from thebar, both looking a little more relaxed – and cross-eyed from shots.

‘Sorry about before, mate,’ Mikey says to Daniel nicely. ‘I have a plan to make up for it.’ He gives him the same cheeky grin and I feel frustration rise. He raises his voice to get Sonali and Zach’s attention. ‘Guys! Over here!’

‘What’s going on?’ I ask again, exasperated, as the room gathers together.

Mikey looks around the group. ‘We are all going to go sit over there,’ he points at a huddle of old sofas pushed together in the corner of the bar, ‘and we’re going to take some mushrooms.’ He glances over his shoulder, checking the bartender isn’t listening or watching. She’s sitting down, bored, on her phone, ignoring the rest of the room. Mikey turns back to us, raises an eyebrow, and pulls out a couple of smallish plastic bags with brown contents.

‘You’re joking?’ I am incredulous.

Mushrooms!

I’ve never done shrooms before. I don’t think people even call them shrooms anymore, do they?

‘I’m in,’ Myfanwy says way too fast and I glance at her. She looks faux innocent and it’s obvious she was already in on this plan. An excitable Toni looks to Shawn for a reaction.

He shrugs. ‘No big deal – I’ve done it loads of times before. I’m up for it.’

‘Me too,’ Daniel surprises me by adding.

‘Sonali? Zach?’ I ask desperately. Zach looks as terrified as me but nods. An obviously thrilled Sonali is useless, too,declaring only, ‘This is going to be epic.’

‘Yes!’ Mikey punches the air, as they turn to look at me, awaiting my response.

I mean, I don’t really want to, but there is no chance I’m leaving this lot to do it without me. I’d rather die from the mushrooms than the FOMO.

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