Page 97 of The Shape of Your Heart
‘Two princes?’ Josefine sounds incredulous. ‘I think you don’t know how lucky you are.’
I frown at her. ‘You know what? You’re right.’
‘Of course I’m right. Anyway, you know what I think about love.’ Josefine makes it sound distasteful. ‘It is overrated and fucks your life up.’
‘That is so much rubbish and you know it,’ I tell her. ‘You loved your girl.’
‘I did. It seriously screwed me up, too.’ Going on, Josefine tells me about the ups and downs before they finally got it together. ‘Then one year later, she was diagnosed with cancer and almost five months after that…’ Josefine shrugs. ‘Sometimes I think we are better off without love.’
I slip my arm through hers. ‘My cynical friend, one day you will fall in love again – and you will think back to this conversation and you’ll say to yourself, I was wrong and Callie was right…’
She stifles a giggle, but then she bursts out laughing. ‘My little English friend, I very much hope so.’
* * *
That evening, when we stop for the night, after another cold-water swim, while Josefine catches up with one of her Danish friends, I call Tanith.
‘Callie! How’s it going?’ She sounds elated to hear from me.
‘It’s great,’ I tell her. ‘Stunning countryside and beaches, interesting people… I’m about halfway. How’s everything?’
‘It must be amazing. I’m great! Something incredible has happened. Don’t ask me what – I can’t tell you about it until you’re home.’
‘Wow. You sound happy.’
‘I’m over the moon!’ She pauses. ‘I should go, Cal. Nathan’s just come back with the boys.’
What’s Nathan doing with Tanith’s sons? Or am I missing something? ‘Say hi to him – to all of them,’ I correct myself.
‘Will do. Catch you later.’
Ending the call, I stand there for a moment as suddenly it strikes me: when I think of Nathan with Tanith and her boys, I really, really miss him.
I go to find Josefine. ‘I’ve just realised something.’
She looks at me quizzically. ‘You have spoken to Nathan?’
I shake my head. ‘I spoke to Tanith. She’s great – she said something amazing’s happened. She wouldn’t tell me what. But she sounded so happy. She couldn’t talk for long, though, because Nathan had just got back with her sons.’
‘Your friend is seeing this man you like?’ Josefine frowns.
‘Not like that. He’s a nice man. He’s probably helping her out with her boys. They are quite… energetic, is the best way to describe them. Anyway, Tanith’s my friend.’ I gaze at Josefine. ‘But there was definitely something she wasn’t telling me.’ Suddenly I’m thinking about Nathan, getting on with his life while I’m away. ‘What if I’ve blown it?’ I stare at Josefine. ‘I mean, here I am miles away, thinking Nathan’s going to wait for me. What if he doesn’t?’
‘If he doesn’t, it wasn’t meant to be.’ She passes me a piece of tortilla. ‘Here. Eat this. Then we’ll go and get a beer. We are not meant to bring our worries on a Camino,’ she adds more sternly. ‘We are meant to breathe clean air, enjoy the beauty of this place and embrace the freedom it offers…’
The tortilla is delicious and as I eat it, I take in the glorious view, the peacefulness that surrounds us. Josefine’s right. There are times to park your worries, to savour the moment. Feeling the softness of the breeze, I listen to the chorus of birdsong as the sky changes colour. No question in my mind, this is one of those times.
36
NATHAN
Opening the passenger door of Emily’s car, I lean down. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I have nowhere else to go.’ Emily’s face is tearstained. ‘And I’ve lost my job. Please Nathan. Can I stay? While I sort something out? Even if it’s only for a week?’
I sigh. ‘Sorry, Em. This really isn’t a good time. I’ve a lot going on right now.’
Sitting there, she starts to sob. ‘It isn’t a good time for me, either. I’ve lost my flat, Nathan. I haven’t been able to afford my mortgage repayments. I have nothing.’
