Page 75 of Just Do It
‘Funny that, without fail, those stories turned into ones about himself.’ She stabbed another stick, this time with such force I half expected the plate to be on the end of the fork when she lifted it.
‘You should have said something.’
‘I didn’t want to upset you, or us to fall out. And to be honest, you always seemed content to stay home around Christmas anyway.’
Echoes of my conversation with Finn floated back to me. The very thing I’d told him about my parents, the hint of criticism I’d made about them was now the same one being levelled, and likely accurately, at me by my friend.
I reached across the table and covered Colette’s free hand with my own. ‘I’m so sorry. I never knew you felt that way.’
She swallowed the mouthful of cheese and took a sip of iced water. ‘I know. And yes, you’re right. Perhaps I should have mentioned it to you before. It’s easy to get into the habit of not saying anything and just accepting the status quo.’
‘You’re right. I sent my parents a picture of the office after Finn had decorated it.’
Colette’s hand paused, her wine glass part way to her mouth. ‘And?’
‘They asked me how I felt about it.’
Colette took a delicate sip. ‘And?’ She repeated.
‘And I told them the truth. That it had been a shock initially but that actually I was loving being, quite literally, immersed in the spirit of the season.’
‘Did they say anything else?’
I took a sip of my own wine. ‘Just that they were glad I was enjoying life and that I seemed happy with my “new chap”.’ I made the shapes with my free hand. ‘I haven’t told them much other than I met someone.’
‘I’m glad you’re happy with your new chap too.’
‘Thanks. But, like I told them, it’s still early days. We are pretty different.’
‘Opposites attract.’
‘So they say.’
‘Maybe you just didn’t give them a chance to before.’
‘I think the bottles of fizz were heavily instrumental in giving this one a chance.’
‘They merely gave you a nudge in the right direction. You followed your heart for once instead of your terribly clever but eminently sensible head. And I, for one, am glad. And I think you are too.’
‘Alright, smarty pants.’
Colette giggled at the term. It was one that had always tickled her.
‘I am.’ I paused. ‘He’s asked me to spend Christmas with him and his family.’
Colette’s eyes shone with happiness. ‘He has? And what did you say?’
‘I said yes. But now I feel bad knowing that you asked me and I never agreed!’
‘Oh, pfft.’ She made that classically dismissive French sound. ‘That is in the past. Perhaps next year you can come out to Paris and we will do it then.’
‘Oh, Colette, that would be so lovely, thank you.’
‘But in the meantime, I’m thrilled you’re going to be spending this one with Finn and his family.’
‘Me too. I was thinking of asking Alice if she wants to meet for coffee sometime. Would you come too?’
‘Sounds perfect.’
