Page 83 of From Notting Hill with Love…Actually
“Yes,” Sean said, sounding apologetic. “That’s exactly what it was—just a thank-you for helping me out.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry if you thought it was more than that, Jen. I can assure you my intention was not to lead you on.”
There was a brief silence and then Jen spoke again.
“I haven’t heard from you in years, Sean, and then out of the blue I get a phone call from you asking for help. What am I supposed to think?”
I’m guessing Sean shrugged then because there was silence once more. Oh, it was so annoying being in this cupboard—I wanted to see what was happening. Then I remembered why I was there, and I calmed down again.
“Well, you never contacted me either, did you? You ran off with the Yank, and that was the last I knew. I mean Oscar isn’t likely to tell me what you’re up to, is he?”
OhmyGod, Jen is Oscar’s sister…the one who broke Sean’s heart!
“He was called Rob, as you well know, Sean. After all, he was your best friend.”
OhmyGod, his best friend? Sean said he was just a work colleague.
“Exactly, Jen, my best friend, and you ran off with him.”
“That’s ancient history as far as I’m concerned. And anyway, if you were still so sore about it, why did you call me up wantingmy help? You knew I’d be here in Paris right now for fashion week. Admit it, Sean, you wanted to see me again.”
Don’t, Sean—don’t admit anything!I willed from my cupboard.
“I had no idea you’d be here,” Sean said coolly. “I assumed you were safely back in New York when I called.”
“So why call?”
“Because, for the hundredth time, I needed some information, and, unfortunately for me, you were the only person I knew who might be able to help.”
“So why ask me out to dinner then?”
“I didn’t; you invited yourself. And because you’d been so unusually helpful, I was too polite to say no.”
“You used me,” Jen said accusingly.
“I did not.”
“So where is she then? This girl you’ve been helping? I’m assuming she’s the someone else you mentioned.”
Silence.
“I thought as much,” Jen continued. “If that’s the case, I may as well just go. You’ve humiliated me, Sean, letting me follow you to your hotel room like this. I hope you’re happy.”
“I promise you it was not my intention, Jen. However, if that’s how you feel, then…”
There was silence again. Oh how I wished I could see what was happening.
“Then what, Sean?”
“Then I’ll look on it as an added bonus. Because now, Jen, you’ve experienced just a tiny percentage of how you made me feel when you ran off with the Yank!”
Go,Sean!I wanted to yell.
A door slammed shut and the room fell silent. I felt secretly pleased for Sean—he had definitely won that battle.
But my euphoria was somewhat short-lived—for it dawned on me I was still stuck in the wardrobe. It was getting hot and stuffy in here now, and my legs were starting to cramp from straddling Sean’s suitcase. How on earth was I going to escape?
