Page 95 of The Truth About You and Me
I dodge two more grooms, one with a cravat and fake moustache, and make my way towards her but I’m interrupted. Charl’s best friend Emily introduces me to two of her work colleagues. I’m polite. Mum is getting too close to Maggie, leaning her head forward, her expression serious. I reckon, taking in the glow on her cheeks, and the way she is gesticulating, Mum is already a bottle down.
‘Jack, this is Jenni and’ – she pushes a woman forward, short, glasses like Elton John – ‘she was saying she’s got a publishing deal for her debut. Isn’t that great?’
I make the necessary congratulatory noises and try to inch my way forward.
Emily clamps a hand on my arm. ‘Jack owns a bookshop. I’m sure he’ll be happy to have you in, once you’re published?’
‘Yes, yes of course. We’d love to have you in… Fire over your publication details and I’ll get it in the diary. Sorry… if you’ll excuse me, I?—’
The noise around the room amplifies. A shuddering fear bolts through me. It’s a cliché but the whole scene is like it’s unfolding in slow motion. Mum’s hand begins to reach out. I try to move towards them but I know I’m too late. Mum’s hand is on Maggie’s arm. Behind me, someone shouts my name, a cheer goes up, but all I can see is Maggie. She’s rigid. Mum is talking slowly, not noticing the way the colour is draining from Maggie’s face. The laughter and joy that I’ve seen over the last few hours is leaking out of her.
She looks up, eyes meeting mine.
She knows.
She knows what they think about our relationship.
42
MAGGIE
Today I’ve lived a life I never thought I would have. I’ve been welcomed into this gloriously flawed family and been made to feel, just for a day, like I could belong here. Between the banter, the food, the party preparations, there’s been a pull in the pit of my stomach. Because the more they bring me into the light, the longer the shadow grows over me at the thought of losing it all.
I’d always thought that getting-ready montages only existed in movies. But there Jack was, looking up at me from the bottom of the stairs, like I was the only woman in the world. And in that moment, I believed it too. That I could be the girl they would all want to keep. Even if he didn’t take my hand or hasn’t touched me since his talk in the library, and even if, for most of the party, I’ve been here, on the veranda. Once again, the outsider looking in. Jack has tried to stay with me, but I’ve encouraged him to go and mingle. It’s not fair for him to be the outsider too. And I haven’t missed the glances from his family when he’s been outside with me rather than inside with them.
Gilly joins me.
‘Phew! It’s getting warm in there. Mind if I join you?’
She places a glass of prosecco on the small patio table.
‘Not at all. Jack’s just nipped to the loo,’ I say as though I need to remind her why I’m here, that I’m not a random person who has pushed herself into their lives.
‘I want to thank you, Maggie,’ Gilly begins.
‘Thank me?’ I ask, catching Jack’s eye from across the room. Something shifts inside, as I meet his eyes.
There is no point trying to deny how I feel about him any more, but being here, with him and his family, just reminds me how difficult it will be for us.
But this is how love should be, right?
I can’t keep ignoring the fact that I’m in love with Jack. I think I fell in love with him right from the moment he walked into Flicks.
And love… It’s not supposed to be easy. That’s what Riz said:that’s what love is, pain and joy and everything in between.But still…
‘Thank you for helping him find his way. Before he met you, he was closed off, barely came out of his flat. And now’ – she looks over at Jack – ‘I feel like I’ve got my son back. He tells us you’re helping him find out more about what happened?’ she encourages. I pause, wondering if he’s told them the real truth, but there hasn’t been any sign that they think I’m nuts.
‘Yes. I mean, I just listen… It seems to help him feel calm?’
‘Right, right. Well hopefully, with your help, we’ll finally find out why he was on Fleetwood Road in the first place, instead of heading towards home.’
Fleetwood Road?Something stirs in the back of my mind. The room tilts, like the moment we’d taken off from the runway.Fleetwood Road. Red hair.
She pastes a smile on her face as someone calls her name, distracted. My mind reeling as I repeatFleetwood Road, red hairover and over. Gilly placing a hand on my arm jolts me back.
If only she was normal.
She’d be perfect for him.
