Page 67 of The Winter We Met
‘Bet you’re relieved now that you didn’t,’ I said and blushed.
‘None of that. We’ve sorted things out, right?’
‘I hope so.’
‘If it makes you feel any better, I still remember asking a crush out and getting rejected. I felt like an idiot. You shouldn’t, but if you do, I know how that feels.’
‘Do you still see her around?’
‘Yes. She’s Junior Magic’s office manager. We got over it. These things happen. It didn’t mean we couldn’t stay good friends. That’s how I know you and I will be okay. Steph’s a diamond and just so efficient. She texted me yesterday to say the website is sorted and it should be back online now. She’s had some brilliant ideas over the years and has really updated us, digitally speaking. Mum and Dad were so wary of the internet when it first arrived, they didn’t have an online presence for years and brought me up to be wary of social media. When they finally got a website, they were still sceptical from a privacy point of view. They insisted on stamping all our products with the initials JM so that there weren’t too many direct references to the company online.’
‘Doesn’t that kind of defeat the point of promoting?’
‘Yup. It’s one of the things we’ll be changing. Word of mouth isn’t enough anymore. They’ve accepted that; with the company struggling we all realise a big online presence is the way to go. Steph’s been great and has does her best to innovate us, posting videos of children playing with our toys and others showing how to assemble the more complicated ones. Whilst the company’s downturn in profits is a worrying thing, I can sense she’s excited that she might be given more of a free hand to really bring us into the twenty-first century. Steph’s fantastic on the PR front too. That robbery… I didn’t want a fuss – she got straight onto the newspapers and kept my name out of it. The lad’s Olympian dad used his influence too and that helped.’
‘Sounds like she really is amazing,’ I said, trying to mean it and feeling the smallest twinge of jealousy.
‘Sure is. That doesn’t mean she’d have been right for me. Time’s let me see that personally we aren’t a good fit. She lives and breathes technology with an enthusiasm I just don’t have. Also – prepare to be shocked – she doesn’t like chocolate.’
Nik bent down with his arms open but then stepped back. ‘Sorry. I don’t want to…’
I opened my arms. ‘I don’t want anything to change. I’ll get over it. Have a great time in Paris.’
‘Thanks. Hey, where’s Oliver tonight? At Misty’s?’
‘On a date,’ I said brightly.
Nik pulled on his gloves. ‘He’s a good guy.’
‘You really think so? That night he came home early and you were here for dinner… he wasn’t exactly polite.’
‘Why do you think that was?’
I shrugged. ‘It’s not like him, to be honest. It’s taken me aback. Normally he’s so polite, thoughtful and patient – that’s probably why he gets on so well with elderly people.’
Nik stepped into the corridor. He opened his mouth to say something but changed his mind. Perhaps he had his own idea as to why Oliver had been so rude. Nik turned to look over his shoulder as he went down the stairs and gave me an odd look. ‘I’m glad you’ve kept the bracelet,’ he said and disappeared.
31
I felt like a party balloon deflating, after its guests had left. Nik and I were never going to be an item. His kindness, charm, his generosity of spirit and humour… once Christmas past they’d no longer be a daily feature. I leant against the breakfast bar, closing my eyes every time I thought of my overzealous romantic behaviour.
Yet I still sensed that hint of relief. I’d made Nik into some kind of Mr Perfect and it was hard admitting that perhaps my feelings for him had been more like a crush. I’d imagined scenarios in my head of us lounging on an Australian beach, cocktails in our hands as the sun set, away from the stresses and strains of everyday life, the responsibilities of work and looking out for Gran, away from the past that had come back to haunt me in the form of Mum’s email.
A key turned in the lock and I straightened up, having hardly had time to mull over the strange comments Nik made as he left a few moments ago. Buddy ran to the door and gave an affectionate bark.
Oliver was back. Perhaps Krish was with him. However, he came into view, on his own.
‘You didn’t stay over, then?’ I said.
‘Nor did Nik?’ he replied and looked around before undoing his coat. ‘Everything okay?’
‘Sure. Never better.’
‘Hot chocolate?’ he asked.
‘No. I… I think I could do with some fresh air – just once around the block. Fancy coming?’
‘Sure, the sleet has stopped.’
