Page 29 of The Winter We Met
‘No one saysdateas a slip of the tongue – especially if their usually bare work face is sporting mascara and lip gloss and you are wearing your industrial-strength musky perfume that you save for nights out.’
‘It’s just lunch,’ I protested.
‘Then clearly you want more.’
‘You don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘How long have you known him?’
‘Who?’
Seb folded his arms.
‘Around two weeks,’ I said casually.
‘Ah. I should have known. You’re talking about the very lovely Nik. And what does Oliver think to him?’
‘If you must know he’s kind of suspicious.’
Seb frowned. ‘Why?’
‘I’m not really sure. Modern times have made us cynical, I guess. But you’ve met him – Nik is such a refreshing kind of person and as far as I’m concerned, what you see is what you get.’
‘Your trusted flatmate’s doubts haven’t changed your mind? Interesting. Must be serious.’
I snorted. ‘Nik said he had exciting news to share that couldn’t wait until tomorrow when we had the matinee screening ofIt’s a Wonderful Lifeat Willow Court – he’s being such a help with the party. I offered to meet him in London tonight, instead, but a neighbour he’s got to know, Rob, had already suggested a trip to the pub. This meeting is about Gran and the other residents – that’s all.’
‘Julia Roberts once got married after three weeks,’ he continued. ‘Okay. Here is the acid test of whether you fancy him or not.’
‘Seb, this is a waste of time. I’m not some teenager who develops romantic feelings overnight.’
‘There’s nothing juvenile about love at sight,’ he said firmly. ‘I knew the second I met Tim he was the man for me. Okay… let’s be logical about this and see how many details about him you’ve soaked up in just fourteen days. Answer these five questions…’ He rubbed a hand over his chin stubble. ‘Number one – the most important… is he married?’
‘No.’ I recalled Nik’s words about only having himself to look after himself.
‘Two – what’s his favourite colour?’
‘Um, red,’ I said and shuffled from foot to foot.
‘You already know that?’
‘Well, he always wears—’
‘Obviously I need to dig deeper. Okay, number three – what… what is his secret dream?’
‘Are you serious?’ I threw both hands in the air.
He stared at my arms. ‘You’ve already discussed this with him?’
‘Of course not! Well, maybe... look, it just kind of came up… he runs this local charitable Christmas shoe box scheme for children and he’d love to expand it to at least help all children in Sydney.’
Seb shook his head. ‘I don’t think I knew about Tim wanting to write a novel until we’d been dating for six months… okay… number four – and it’s really important that you answer this one without hesitation. What was the first thing you thought about this morning, when your alarm went off?’
My mind flashed back. The sun hadn’t yet risen. All I could hear was Buddy’s snuffly breathing and then… ‘Sudden, cheerful birdsong,’ I said. ‘It reminded me of Nik shooting happiness into dark moments. I mean… not really… it’s just…’ I gave a nervous laugh and swallowed.
‘Jessie Jagger. I’ve never seen you like this. Not that I need to ask any more questions, but just to be sure… Number five – choose one sentence to describe how being near him makes you feel.’
I stared at the ground as certain words came into my head.
