Page 50 of Love at First Sight

‘Honestly, I’ve found saying you work for the local council can be quite the conversation killer,’ he says. ‘But saying it’s in Health and Safety? Conversation doesn’t even get started. I didn’t deliberately keep it from you. To be fair, you’ve never asked about the specifics of my job …’

‘But all this time you’ve been helping me because you have insider knowledge? Because you work there?’

Cal openly smiles now. ‘I don’t have a conspiracy against you,’ he says, plainly. ‘Yes, I work for the council.No, I never brought up my very dull job with you. No, you never asked the details of my very dull job either. Yes, I know things about funding and grants because, to be honest, sometimes we can’t even give the money away – it was exciting to hear your idea and know that we were the right organisation to help move things along. What else? Oh. I’ve had nothing to do with Stray Kids, haven’t seen your application, haven’t put in a good word or anything like that. The wordsStray Kidshaven’t even passed my lips outside of conversations with you. I found out you’d got the grant throughyou, and then today my colleague Jules called in sick and by chance I overheard our boss re-assigning her meetings. Then, and only then, when I heard you were doing a safety recce for Stray Kids, did I say I’d like to take it, because I knew a bit about it already. Have I covered everything?’

‘Sounds like it,’ I say with a nod, feeling robbed of my chance to be outraged. Am I really destined to keep crossing paths with this man? Not only through Ali – who, let’s be clear,he has not broken up with despite saying he was going to– but now also through work? Just what I need – another complication. Thing is, I need Cal onside, so I’m going to have to charm him as if he’s a stranger.

‘Well,’ I say, deciding that if Cal is the inspector to impress, it’s better late than never with my smile and can-do attitude. ‘Nice to meet you, Inspector! I’m Jessica Cameron, founder of Stray Kids, and I’m so excited to show you around today and let you know what we’re thinking. I really welcome your feedback, and hope youdon’t mind me tapping you up for the knowledge you’ve no doubt accumulated over the years, ha ha!’

Cal blinks.

‘That was a pre-planned speech, wasn’t it?’ he says, deadpan.

‘Yes,’ I answer. ‘I’m trying to switch to professional mode now. Any and all help with that appreciated.’

Cal nods, understanding. ‘Got it,’ he says, rearranging his own features before adopting a somewhat more professional voice. ‘Right, Ms Cameron. Congratulations on your grant and all the hard work you’ve done to get here. My name is Calvin Lopez, but please do just call me Your Highness.’

I roll my eyes.

‘At the council we pride ourselves on workingwithour grant recipients, so why don’t you show me around. I’m just pleased as punch to be here today.’

‘Great,’ I say, keeping up the professional pretence. ‘Right this way.’

I lead Cal over to Stray Kids HQ, where Leo is packing up his bag.

‘Okay Jessie,’ Leo says, as we approach the hut, ‘I’ve got what I need to get cracking.’ He looks at Cal. ‘Oh hey, man. How are you? You helping out too?’

‘He’s from the council,’ I say, noting the strange look on Cal’s face as he shakes Leo’s hand. He almost looks … jealous? ‘Leo’s going to help make Stray Kids HQ,’ I explain to him.

Cal nods. ‘What’s in it for you?’ he says, with a chuckle.

Leo frowns. ‘My nephew. He’ll love this. Plus, you know. Just trying to be nice.’

‘Nice guys finish last,’ Cal says, again like it’s a joke. To my ear though, it sounds like a warning.

‘I don’t happen to believe that’s true,’ Leo says, before looking at me blankly. I don’t know what to say.

‘I can give you the key,’ I offer. ‘If you want it?’

‘Yeah,’ Leo says. ‘Drop it by the shop when you’re able to. See you guys later.’

I give Leo a hug, and Cal and I meander on around the park, leaving Leo to put his shirt back on and chat with India. I show Cal the rest of the site, and explain how we’re primed for Health and Safety, identifying any potential pitfalls and explaining how we’ll resolve or circumnavigate them.

We relax into this strange circumstance, and, by the end of our allotted hour together, his eyes are bright. He seems really impressed, really pleased.

‘Honestly,’ he says. ‘I anticipate absolutely zero problems. I’ll write up everything I’ve seen and then send it up the chain, but truly, you’re nailing this. Have you thought about the launch, starting to advertise, that sort of thing?’

‘India is helping with all that,’ I say. ‘She runs a marketing agency.’

I gesture over to her where she’s on the phone, pacing and waving her arms as she explains something to whoever is on the other end.

‘Great,’ Cal says. ‘So when are you opening? In twoor three weeks’ time? I can’t imagine you’ll need much longer. You’ve already done so much.’

I take a big breath. ‘Yeah,’ I say. ‘It gives me butterflies, to be honest. I don’t want to blow this. It feels big. Not for the world, but for, like, me. As a person. Conceiving something, making it happen, it’s … empowering, if that doesn’t sound too corny. Well, it does sound corny, but I don’t think I care?’

‘Good,’ Cal says. ‘Corny is cool anyway.’

‘Cornyiscool. Yes. I might write that on a Post-it and stick it by my bed.’

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