Page 79 of Date with Destiny

Crystal closes her eyes on the screen for a moment and when she opens them, her face is clear and serene. Even the oversized hair and earrings have stopped moving. ‘I hear you,’ she says at last. ‘And I have answers.’ She smiles. ‘But that’s all we have time for today. Goodbye for now, everyone.’

The camera pans away, across an awed-looking audience as a voiceover guy tells us this was the last episode of the current series – but we can apply to be in the audience of the next, by emailing or calling this very expensive number. Does that mean it wasn’t live? She can’t have been talking to me if it wasn’t live.

Beside me Myfanwy scrambles for her phone, noting down the details.

‘You want to go on the show?’ I ask and she shakes her head. ‘No.’ She stops, looking up at me. ‘I meanobviously yes. But I’m writing this down so that we can speak to the studio, see if Crystal Ball does private sessions or if she’d be willing to speak to us on the phone.’ I nod, feeling very strange. It really did seem like she was speaking to us – or tome. What if she really could hear me across the airwaves somehow? What if she really can see into my future?

I switch off the TV and turn to Myfanwy. ‘Right, enough spooky stuff, tell me exactly what the plan is for Project Proposal.’

She nods, looking thrilled. ‘I’ve decided on a date!’ As I gasp, she adds, ‘The third of March.’

‘Oh my god,’ I breathe. ‘Sonali’s birthday! Of course! But that’s only five weeks away. How many of the ten rings have you got so far?’

‘Six,’ she confirms and I squeal. I’ve only helped her source half of those.

Myfanwy grins, glowing with excitement. ‘I’ve decided to throw her a party, and I’ll get down on one knee there.’

‘Oh, right! Wow!’ I am surprised and a little bit unsure about this. Myfanwy obviously knows her best, but I have also known Sonali for a long time. She’s not someone who would really like a public proposal, I don’t think. She loves a party but for something intensely personal and romantic like this, I really think she’d want privacy.

‘It’s a good idea, right?’ she looks at me eagerly. ‘We’re such a close-knit group, I think she’d be excited to share the moment with you all.’

‘Hmm,’ I say, trying to think of a way of framing my thoughts. ‘I think…’ I chicken out. ‘I think it sounds lovely!’ I swallow hard.

I might’ve found some bravery in telling Mikey off a couple of weeks ago, but I’m still working on the courage when it comes to talking to loved ones about difficult subjects.

‘Great,’ she beams. ‘I’ve made some notes about the speech. I’m going to talk her through all those moments I loved her best, when I knew I wanted to be with her forever, then produce the real ring.’

‘Has Zach finished it?’ I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral. Although Zach’s not working at Celeste’s Stones anymore, he’s been designing Myfanwy’s ring in his capacity as a freelancer. We’ve provided the – hugely discounted – stones and metal though.

I haven’t heard from Zach since Toni and Shawn’s Christmas party. I still burn with the humiliation, thinking about throwing myself at him like that. But it’s more than that: I’m professionally embarrassed, too. I’m the one who brought him on and I made all those big promises about working together – and then Celeste binned him off after only a few short months.

I find myself really missing his company in the quieter moments – of which there areloadsat the new store. It’s dead most days, with just the hideous noise of that dreadful advert playing above my head eight hours a day.

I think about how much we laughed together, and how kind he was. He was nice to be around. And I could use some of his positivity at the new store, watching it fail from the inside out.

Myfanwy reaches across to her bedside table, pulling out a small ring box from under piles of drawer junk. She opens it reverentially and we both blink at the dazzling jewellery inside.

Zach has done an incredible job.

It’s very traditional and Myfanwy has gone for a diamond, which I’m delighted about – nothing beats a diamond in my opinion. It’s a white gold band, with a majestic, RoundBrilliant cut diamond – I’d estimate just under a carat, maybe 0.86 – mounted with four tall, round claws and nestled between infinity-shaped shoulder diamonds. The smaller stones are set in a double row with mirroring curves that gleam like magic.

‘It’s perfect,’ I breathe out, awed, as Myfanwy’s phone buzzes.

‘Jesus,’ she mutters, looking at the screen. ‘It’sDaniel.’

‘What?’ I am baffled. ‘Why is he texting you?’

She shrugs and opens the message.

I’ve not heard a lot from him since our life-changing trip on shrooms, when he found me on a date with another man.

To be honest, I’ve been hoping he’d got the message without me having to talk to him. Except now here he is, messaging my best friend.

Myfanwy reads it out loud.

Hey Myfanwy, sorry to bother you. I wondered if I could ask your advice about Ginny? Is she still seeing that guy Mikey? I really want to talk to her about how I feel, but I’m also aware how badly I’ve treated her and don’t want to interfere or wreck things if she’s happy. Do you think I should just leave her alone now? Would really appreciate your advice. Daniel x

‘Fuck.’ Myfanwy’s eyebrows shoot up and she’s looking at me with alarm. ‘Is Daniel…growing up? This is quite a maturemessage, isn’t it? Actually putting your feelings ahead of his? Has he ever done that before?’

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