Page 23 of The Last Saturday In July
Simon knocked on the door, then nudged it open and looked around. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘A bit better now that I’ve thrown up.’
‘I’m just thinking, is there any chance …?’
‘That I’ll pass it on to you?’
‘No.’ Simon hesitated. ‘I just wondered if you might be pregnant.’
Jess groaned. ‘No, it’s the dodgy chicken sandwich I had atlunch.’
‘Oh.’ Simon’s face fell. ‘You poor thing. Can I get you anything?’
She put her head in her hands. ‘I’m not sure if I’m up to tonight. Sorry. I’m a terrible girlfriend.’
‘Don’t be silly, you can’t help being sick.’ He gave a tentative smile. ‘I’ll see if they can sell the tickets as returns.’
He was the loveliest person on the planet. She felt a rush of gratitude along with a warm feeling in her tummy, that she recognised just in time.
As she hung over the toilet bowl again, she heard Simon leave. He came back a few moments later with a glass of fizzy water and handed it to her.
‘Thanks.’ Jess took the glass with shaky hands and sipped cautiously. ‘Why don’t you ask your dad to go? I’ll be fine here, honestly.’
Simon pushed his glasses up his nose. ‘I can’t leave you on your own when you’re sick.’
‘Yes, you can, really, I’d prefer it.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Positive.’ Jess managed a reassuring smile.
Was that a flash of relief on Simon’s face? She didn’t move as he walked back into the living room to call his dad, only to return moments later.
‘The folks have a previous engagement.’
Jess peered up at him. ‘Is there anyone else you could ask?’
She was about to suggest David, when Simon said, ‘Actually, Kate mentioned that she likes the opera.’
‘She does?’ Jess couldn’t remember Kate ever liking opera, but she’d probably been humouring him. And it would solve the immediate problem. ‘You should ask her.’
Simon scrolled through his phone. ‘Kate? Hi, it’s me.’
He walked out of the room again, looking happier when he reappeared.
‘She said she’d meet me there.’
‘Brilliant.’ Jess’s stomach swirled and she tried to take small breaths. ‘Go, or you’ll be late.’
‘Do you want me to help you to bed first?’
‘I’d better stay here for a while.’
‘I’ll leave my phone on silent. Message me and I’ll come straight home. Promise me?’
‘I promise.’ She managed another smile.
Simon seemed satisfied. ‘Love you.’
