Page 69 of Date with Destiny

‘Yes, of course.’

‘Whatever he says, I was just messing about, being silly.’

‘I get it.’ I try to sound reassuring but feel a bit uneasy. He seems so concerned. I don’t remember Mikey being so bothered by what other people thought before. Was there more to it?

‘It’s just…’ he begins, looking down at his drink. ‘It’s just that Ireallylike you.’

Oh.

He takes a deep breath. ‘I don’t want some stupid comment Shawn might make a big deal over to ruin what we could have. Ireallylike you.’

I can feel myself smiling, hard. He likes me.

‘I like you, too,’ I tell him shyly. ‘Please don’t worry about Shawn – I’m going to talk to Toni about him. She really can do so much better.’

He grins, tucking hair behind his ear and taking my hand as we change the subject.

Conversation flows easily as we cover work, friends, the ridiculous things we saw while on mushrooms, the times wehad in our early twenties when we last dated. It’s lovely and easy. It always is with Mikey.

I get drunk quickly on the cocktails and his compliments, so when he moves his chair closer to kiss me, I kiss him back hungrily. I don’t care who’s watching.

‘Come home with me,’ he pulls back, speaking with urgency, almost panting. I nod, unable to speak as we gather our coats and run outside. He’s ordered an Uber within seconds and the Ford Mondeo pulls up only two minutes later. We climb in, laughing and touching.

As we move off, my phone buzzes. Glancing at it, my stomach turns over at the sight of Toni’s name.

I still haven’t spoken to her about Shawn. Or seen her, for that matter. She said she’d be back at Celeste’s that same day, but there was no sign of her. I messaged her again yesterday and she said she’d be back today, but she still wasn’t back by the time I left a few hours ago.

Hey, where are you? I’m home xxxxx

Of course she is. The first time I’m out for the night, she’s back.

Sorry, I’m out with Mikey. You around tomoz? Xxxxx

Her reply is instant.

You’re still seeing Mikey? After what happened? xx

Wow, only two kisses, she isfurious. Furious about what? Hmm, I guess Shawn will have his side of the story, which will be that Mikey was horrible and cruel. Of course Toni’s taken Shawn’s side.

Maybe Mikey was meaner than he let on?

I glance over at him now, on the other side of the car, looking out at the passing London landscape lit up by festive lights, while holding tightly to my hand between us.

No way. We’ve already seen so much evidence of Shawn’s awfulness, and his tendency to massively overreact and start fights.

I suddenly feel cross. Toni’s trying to tell me who I should and shouldn’t be seeing, while she’s dating one of the worst men on Planet Earth! She’s my little sister – she should be listening tome. I shouldn’t have to listen to her!

I reply, feeling Myfanwy’s strength in my fingers.

Yes, of course. We can talk about it tomorrow but Shawn should really apologize. Mikey was joking. I don’t want to upset you, sorry. Xx

OK, it’s probably not very Myfanwy in its tone, but that’s as strong as I’m capable of being, even after five cocktails.

My heart pounds as she replies fast. I don’t want to look.

I’m not upset, Gin, but that’s not what happened. Can you come home so we can talk? I think you should hear Shawn out. He’s here with me xx

Ugh, Shawn’s there with her. I re-read the message, my brow furrowing. What does that mean? So he doesn’t think Mikey was joking? Obviously he doesn’t, otherwise he wouldn’t have reacted so badly. But that doesn’t mean Mikey was at fault.

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