Page 90 of The Winter We Met
‘Going great, isn’t it?’ I said. ‘Your brother’s playing is fantastic and I feel we’ve all really pulled off the whole wintry feel, with the decorations. I can just imagine James Stewart walking into the room at any moment, covered in snow, and bells jingling because Clarence finally got his wings.’
‘It’s perfect and it’s not James Stewart but there is a man at the door and he insists he won’t come in for something to eat. Seb – a friend of yours? He’s asking if he could have a quick chat.’
Seb?Was everything okay at Under the Tree? What about Angela? I hurried out of the room and along the corridor where the choir were setting up.
‘Is everything okay?’ I asked.
‘No. Annoyingly Tim has come up trumps again. He’s always right and it drives me mad.’
‘What are you talking about?’
Seb paced up and down. ‘I know why Oliver never liked Nik at the beginning.’
My brow knotted. ‘I really appreciate the interest, but couldn’t this have waited?’ I grinned. ‘Or is this an excuse just to have some of the amazing food I told you about.’
‘The last conversation you had with Nik, the night he rejected you, you thought he had his own theory about why Oliver had been rude to him, but he didn’t say...’
‘And that turned out to be because Nik reminded him of someone underhand from his past – and because Oliver was worried of our family unit being broken up... you and I have worked this out already. Nik didn’t need to tell me.’
‘But you missed the obvious. I didn’t pick it up either. I think Nik’s theory was to do with jealousy.’
‘What?’
‘That charm bracelet – the heart charm represents someone, not something, important in your life. So not Gran or Buddy as they already had charms of their own…Heart,Jess.’
‘Home is where the heart is– we’ve already reached a conclusion about this.’
‘Think of the word heart, Jessie. Try taking away the e.’
‘Okay, okay…. H-A-R-T… Oliver’s surname?’
‘Exactly and it’s nothing to do with that home and heart thing, that was a red herring. It’s quite simple really – he was jealous of Nik, not because of his work or his jet-setting, or that infectious charm… but because this gorgeous Australian hadyourattention. Now can’t you see what’s been staring you in the face? You aren’t happy with him going out with Krish not because you might be left alone, nor because it will change the status quo – it’s becauseyou’rejealous back. You and Oliver are in love with each other!’
Silence for a moment. I burst out laughing. ‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ I said unevenly. ‘You… you said it yourself – we’re more like brother and sister.’
‘That’s only because you get on so well. You’re always there for each other. You’re so comfortable in each other’s company. All of those things could also apply to a very well-matched couple.’ He slapped his palm against his forehead. ‘I can’t believe I missed it, Jess. You’re meant for each other.’
‘You’re wrong,’ I said firmly, pulse racing. ‘He’s a down-to-earth, forthright person and would have acted upon his feelings before now. Like the time we had noisy neighbours, who played music into the early hours. Oliver gave them a few nights, to see if it changed, and then went around. It didn’t make a difference so he contacted our landlord. And when Gran mentioned in passing, last year, that she could do with more shelving for her books, the following weekend he turned up with several flat packs and he assembled them.’
To an outsider he might have looked laidback, working in a bar, not worrying about mortgages and promotions, but day to day he was decisive… a bit of an action man. And his recently revealed past in Birmingham explained why he’d shied away from being career-driven.
Nah. If he’d developed feelings for me, I’d have known.
And the same for me. I mean, I did fancy him, when he first moved in but…
I bit my lip.
Seb looked at his watch. ‘I’ve got to go – it’s my turn to cook tonight.’ He held me by the shoulders and stared straight into my eyes. ‘Don’t mess this up. From what you say Nik is pretty special person and he worked this out first. In my humble opinion you’ve been feeling crap because Oliver’s the one you really want. The ball’s in your court now.’
Then he was gone like a guardian angel of my very own. I couldn’t breathe properly for a moment, and almost tripped over a chair’s leg as I stumbled back into the lounge. Geoff was packing away his saxophone. I stood by the window and put my hand up to my chest. I’d compartmentalised my feelings for Oliver in a sensible box in my head and shut them away – but I’d still noticed things over the years. The curve of his mouth. The strength of his arms. The warmth of his hug. The hair that never lay down flat. The soft tone he used whenever Gran or I were upset.
‘You okay?’ asked a voice.
I saw Nik’s reflection in the window. I didn’t turn around. Instead I lifted up my arm and the charm bracelet, pointing to the heart.
‘I’ve just worked it out… Oliver…’ My voice wavered.
His brows knitted together. ‘I thought you already had.’
