Page 84 of Love or Your Money Back

‘Yes.’ Freddy lifts the mini travel kettle. ‘I did say that.’

‘So what are they?’

‘Do you want a cup of tea?’

‘Answer the question.’

‘Fine. I enjoy your complete certainty about right and wrong. And that you’re not afraid to argue with me about anything and everything. And that even when you’re in pain, you still try to micro-manage. But my very favourite thing about you is that you need help more than you will ever admit, and sometimes I’m the special person you let give you that help. Actually Kat, I need to tell you something –’

There’s a knock at the door.

‘Helloooooo!’

‘Oh Lord.’ I struggle up in bed. ‘It’s Ahmet. Help me sit upright. He can’t see me slumped and pathetic.’

‘He’s your fiancé.’ Freddy pulls me up against the headboard. ‘Don’t you think he’s going to see you at your worst from time to time?’

‘No. Chris never saw me like this. I made him sleep downstairs.’

‘Katerina?’ Ahmet’s voice floats through the bedroom door. ‘I hear Freddy in there with you. I DO HOPE you’re being appropriate, ha, ha, ha!’

‘VERY APPROPRIATE,’ I call back. ‘I’m fully dressed and trapped under five hot water bottles.’

There’s a pause. Then Ahmet says, ‘Is the heating broken?’

Freddy pulls the bedroom door open. ‘Can we help you, Ahmet?’

Ahmet stands in the doorway wearing an ‘Ich lese gerne Bücher’ baseball cap and holding armfuls of souvenir bags.

‘Is everything alright?’ Ahmet asks.

‘Fine,’ says Freddy. ‘Kat is having a flare-up. She’s resting.’

‘A flare up!’ Ahmet looks terrified. ‘Have you called a doctor?’

‘It’s okay,’ I say. ‘It’s just a fake flare-up. No blindness or complete paralysis. I need to wait this one out. I’ll be better by tomorrow.’

‘You’re sure?’ Ahmet asks.

I manage a nod, although it hurts. ‘Honestly, I’m fine,’ I lie. ‘It’s just bad timing, that’s all. With the awards tonight. Because my legs are being a little problematic.’

‘Oh, that’s such ashame.’ Ahmet gives me sympathetic eyes. ‘Especially with your Small Press of the Year nomination. What a pity to miss out.’

‘She’s going to the ceremony, Ahmet,’ Freddy snaps. ‘It’s just a question of how. A wheelchair is the best bet, but Kat doesn’t want –’

‘I will not be using a wheelchair.’ My cheeks burn. ‘If it comes to that, I’ll stay here.’

‘We can stay here together!’ Ahmet looks delighted. ‘I don’t have a ticket for the award ceremony, anyway. They said I needed to be affiliated with a publishing company. Who knew publishing could be so elitist?’

‘Come on, Kat,’ says Freddy. ‘You know how badly you want to go to that award ceremony. The only reason not to go would be cowardliness. And you’re the bravest person I ever met. Don’t let me down.’

‘You know what?’ I push back the duvet. ‘I am brave. Freddy, hand me my cane. I’ll see how many steps I can take without falling over.’

Freddy hands me my cane. I pull myself out of bed and promptly fall over.

‘Righty-o.’ Freddy stands over me. ‘Wheelchair it is, then?’

CHAPTER61

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