Page 70 of The Last Love Song
‘Er, no.’
‘What about tonight?’
‘Yes, I was calling you to suggest we meet tonight. I’ll pickyou up at work and we’ll hit the town, give ourselves a really good evening.’
‘Okay.’The last hoorah, thought Helen gloomily.
‘I’ve got to run. See you at six.’ He hung up.
Helen stared into the distance. Even though Tony hadn’t said anything, Helen knewshewas back. She reckoned she had returned a few days ago, around the time Tony had started to cut her short when Helen rang his flat. It was a blessing she had this job. If she had been at home all day, she’d have gone mad.
Helen sighed. Tonight she would know for certain.
Just after six, Tony came strolling through the front door of Metropolitan.
He leant over the desk and kissed her on the cheek.
‘You look wonderful. Work must be suiting you.’
‘It is, thanks, Tony.’
‘Come on then. Let’s move.’
It was a hot, sultry August night and London was buzzing, but Helen could not shake off her gloom. The pair wandered into a nearby bar for a drink and chatted about Metropolitan Records. Or, rather, Tony asked questions and Helen gave monosyllabic answers.
Eventually, the conversation petered into nothingness and they both sat staring into space.
‘Oh dear,’ said Tony. ‘You know, don’t you?’ She nodded. ‘What can I say? If it makes any difference, I had no idea how attached to you I was going to become.’
‘It doesn’t make any difference.’
‘No, I didn’t suppose it would.’
‘You’re back with her then?’
‘Yes,’ Tony nodded solemnly.
‘And we’re finished?’
‘Please don’t say it like that, Helen. Parts of our relationship are, but I’d hate to think that I’d lose you completely.’ He reached for her hand, which was surprisingly cold for such a hot evening. ‘You’re so special, Helen. I mean it.’
‘Stop before I throw up,’ she groaned.
‘I’m sorry, it wasn’t meant to sound insincere. I do mean it. You’re one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met.’
She looked up at him. ‘Then why, if I’m so special and amazing, are you going back toher?’
Tony shrugged. ‘Because I love her, I suppose. Plus, she needs me to look after her. She’s...fragile.’
‘And I don’t need you?’
‘No. You can look after yourself. She’s not strong like you.’
There was another long silence. Tony sighed. ‘Look, Helen, I really would hate to see us part on bad terms. We both knew from the outset this was a temporary thing. Now we’re in danger of losing a friendship and that would be very sad. Don’t you agree?’
‘Yes, I suppose so,’ she replied slowly.
‘I’d like to think that if ever you needed advice or help, you’d be able to come to me. I’ll understand if you feel you can’t see me for a while, but maybe when you’ve had a chance to think about it, you’ll see what I’m saying makes sense.’
