Page 65 of The Truth About You and Me
Give us another chance.
We deserve that shot at a happy ever after.
Jack
I fold the letter over.
‘What happened?’ Romy prompts. ‘With Jack?’
‘I… tried to explain who I am and… It’s a lot.I’ma lot. I mean, you’ve seen him. He deserves to have a girlfriend who he can at least touch for Christ’s sake. Who would make his life easier. Not harder.’
His words circle my mind:Help me understand. We deserve a shot at a happy ever after.
‘Look. I might be the last person on earth to give advice on dating and finding romantic love, but I know a thing or two about people. I saw the way you two were together and I’ve only seen that amount of chemistry on the screen. I spent my married life pretending to be someone I’m not, trying to force myself into a shape small enough to accommodate him. Now, I know who I am, I know what I like, and if I ever felt like dating someone other than myself then it will be on my terms with a partner who fits next to me without either of us having to bend.’ She reaches out a hand then drops it. ‘Show him who you are, Mags. But don’t bend. You shouldn’t ever need to pretend to be somebody else. Now, go.’
‘But your date…’
‘My date can wait.’
If I could, I would kiss her cheek.
* * *
The air is rich with the smell of seaweed, the salt in the sea mist already clinging to my hair as I scan the streets. I pull my pink fur around me, heading through side streets and along the narrow coastal road; to my right, the buildings lean forward like a crowd lining the streets to wave to an important visitor, each building different, some short and struggling to see beyond the taller forms. My lilac heels click as I make my way through town, until I see the creamy apricot light spilling out onto the kerb. I slow down and catch my breath.
It’s time I stopped running away from a chance of happiness.
29
MAGGIE
The warmth wraps around me as I step inside, the bell above the door announcing my arrival.
The book club is in full swing, the semicircle of readers all throwing their opinions around, copies of the book in their hands. Conversations trail off, like the final bars of a song. Eyes all focus on me.
‘Hello?’ I say. Nell turns her head, stands, the booklovers throwing smiles and awkward glances. ‘I’m’ – my voice cracks – ‘I’m looking for Jack?’
Jack strides into the room, his arms filled with books, chin resting on top. ‘So I have the red one, the first in the series, and the green, which I think is the second but I don’t have the—’ He looks up, his steps slowing.
‘Hi,’ I say with a smile.
He lowers the stack of books onto the table, his hand splayed on the cover. ‘Hi.’
‘I… I got your letter.’ Nell’s eyebrows raise in Jack’s direction. His eyes flash briefly to hers, then he treads slowly towards me. I can feel the group taking in the scene, looks of curiosity and tenderness. ‘Thank you.’
He digs his hands into his pockets. ‘You’re welcome.’
‘I’m sorry—’ we both begin.
‘Can we talk?’ I ask quietly. Despite the warmth, I’m shaking.
He nods. ‘We can go outside or, or… my flat is upstairs?’ My heart trips at the hopeful tilt to his voice.
‘Your place would be great.’ He turns, leading the way, stopping to move a few chairs, clearing a path. I trail a few steps behind him. Nell catches my eye. She’s on guard, a mother bear in a Minnie Mouse dress and black eyeliner. I look down and pull my arms closer to my torso. There is enough space for me to pass the group without touching them, but I keep my distance as much as I can. Jack holds open the door for me, his arm high above my head. The door swings heavily behind me, the voices behind coming back to life in a rush.
The walls of the hallway are an expensive dusky emerald green, the type you’d find in a stately home or an Oak Furniture Land ad. I follow Jack along the black-and-white-tiled floor, my hand skirting the banister that twists upwards in old dark wood.
I climb the three flights of stairs, two behind Jack. Along the walls are framed book covers:Sense and Sensibility,Dracula,Great Expectations,Brideshead Revisited,Rebecca,Wuthering Heights. At the top:Pride and Prejudice.
