Page 55 of The Notecard
‘Much better. I should probably get going. Go home and face the music,’ says Rob, getting his coat. ‘And Nick, thanks again, mate. Sorry if I ruined your evening.’
‘It’s fine, mate, honestly. You didn't ruin anything. Just get a coffee on the way home, and maybe some flowers for Fee if you can find some.’
‘Nothing to worry about,’ says Mum. ‘Just go home and take care of your wife.’
‘Will do,’ says Rob with a smile before he leaves, and heads off home.
Poor Rob. I know he’s having a hard time with Fee not getting pregnant. I want them to be happy, and I’m sure they will be. It might just take a little bit of time.
I turn back to Michael, and we both smile because Mum’s getting us coffee and biscuits, and for the first time, I see him in a different light. I understand him. I can see exactly what Mum sees in him. I mean, not exactly, obviously, but I can see the pain they’ve both felt. The losses they’ve had to endure, and now they’re off to Ibiza for two weeks, and they deserve it. It also makes me think about something Dad said to me once when he was talking about how he met Mum. That sometimes, when it comes to love, you have to be patient.
Meg
‘Ithink my father wanted to be a comedian,’ says Hugh.
We’re sitting outside the bathroom, waiting for Keri to come out. Backs against the wall.
‘Why wasn’t he?’
‘I don’t think he had the courage. He spent his life working in a job he loved. He taught English at a private school in Surrey. He was the academic sort. He loved comedy though. I think he would have been good.’
‘So you’re living out his dream?’
‘Perhaps. Although right now, I need to get my girlfriend out of the bathroom or I’m going to be late for my biggest gig yet.’
‘Would you go without her?’ I say, looking across at Hugh.
‘Not a chance,’ says Hugh, standing up. ‘It’s either both of us or neither of us.’
He really likes her. Good old Hugh.
‘I hope both of you because I really need a wee,’ I say, standing up too.
‘Keri,’ says Hugh. ‘Please come out, and let’s talk about this.’
‘I’m not coming out,’ says Keri from behind the door. ‘You go to your comedy club. Spend the night with Sophie Mill, and fall in love with her because it’s going to happen eventually anyway. So you might as well go now. Go on, just go.’
Hugh looks at me and I look at him. Poor Hugh looks lost. Keri always does this. She likes to sabotage herself. It’s just a part of her. I think it goes back to when she was a child. Her dad, Alan, left them when she was ten. They lived around the corner from us, and I saw Keri every day. She was such a happy kid, but then one day her dad just left them. He left Keri’s mum a letter, a thousand pounds, and vanished. Keri hasn’t seen him since. He used to drive the big lorries. He would go all over Europe. Keri’s mum thinks he met someone else. Keri grew up from that moment on without a dad. She felt abandoned, and I don’t think she’s ever recovered. Every time she has a boyfriend, which is often because she doesn’t enjoy being single, she sabotages it. She’s so insecure when it comes to men, which is sad because she’s such a lovely person. Hugh is the best boyfriend she’s ever had, but Keri needs to destroy it before she gets her heart broken. The thing is, she’s breaking her own heart time and time again. Maybe Hugh’s The One, but she’ll wreck it before she has the chance to find out.
‘I don’t know why you think I’m in love with Sophie,’ says Hugh, sounding exasperated.
‘Oh, I don’t know because she’s perfect!’ says Keri. ‘Because she’s everything I’m not. She’s funny, and clever, and beautiful, and went to Cambridge. I got one A Level, Hugh, and I work in a cafe with a heavy cat theme. Although the owner, Brenda, really wants to introduce some dog elements to broaden our client base.’
‘I like Sophie, but only as a friend,’ says Hugh. ‘And anyway, she already has a boyfriend.’
There’s a moment of silence. Keri is digesting the news that Sophie Mill has a boyfriend.
‘I didn’t know that.’
‘His name’s Jeremy, and he’s quite frankly, the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. He's handsome and rich. He owns property all over London. He’s nice too. Super nice, actually. He’s the sort of person who makes you feel good about yourself. He’s just a good egg. I don’t think in a million years that even if I loved Sophie, which I don’t, she’d leave Jeremy for me. He’s so far above me in the league table, that it’s not even the same sport.’
I can’t help but laugh. There’s still silence behind the door. I really need a wee.
‘And the thing is, Keri, it doesn’t matter about Sophie or anyone else for that matter because the truth is,’ says Hugh. He takes a deep breath. ‘The truth is… I love you.’
I take in a little hit of air. He hasn’t said the L word yet. I know this because if he had Keri would have told me. She would have come crying and screaming into my bedroom and told me that Hugh loves her. About a million times. There’s a tense moment of silence and then Keri says.
‘What did you say?’
