Page 56 of Things We Never Said
‘Ah ...’ Maggie says. ‘Quite expensive good service, then.’
‘And you? What are you doing here in Consumerville?’
Maggie waves her shopping bag at him. ‘New swimsuit,’ she says. ‘I don’t think I can get into the old one anymore. Though I didn’t even try, to be honest. Too depressing.’
‘You’re still thin,’ Sean says, eyeing Maggie’s figure in mock appraisal. ‘You’re looking good.’
‘For my age,’ Maggie says, completing Sean’s phrase. ‘I know.’
‘No, you’re looking good full stop, Mags.’
Maggie blushes. ‘Well, thanks, MrPatrick. Hey, you don’t fancy a coffee at Clowns, do you? It’s not every day I get a compliment. I want to make the most of it.’
Sean nods and smiles. ‘Sure,’ he says. ‘I haven’t been there for years. Plus it’s on the way.’
Maggie takes his arm and starts to walk. ‘Just don’t let me eat cake,’ she says, confidentially. ‘No matter how much I fight for it, just say no.’
‘All right,’ Sean says. ‘I’ll keep you away from the cake.’
‘Huh!’ Maggie laughs. ‘I’d like to see you try. Have you tasted their chocolate cake?’
‘So, talking of being fit and slim and everything ...’ Sean says.
Maggie releases his arm. ‘God, you’re going to ask me about rowing, aren’t you?’
‘You’ve changed your mind then? That’s OK.’
‘I haven’t really. Well, I have, I suppose. It’s just Dave. The idea of me and you doing it together – rowing, that is – well, it seemed to get his back up. So it’s probably safer if I don’t.’
Sean frowns as he guides Maggie across StAndrew’s Street. ‘No one’s stopping Dave joining us.’
‘Oh, I know. But he can’t swim, can he? The poor love.’
‘Hmm,’ Sean says, pointedly.
‘Hmm?’
‘I just think it’s a bit weird stopping you doing something because he can’t join in. It sounds a bit controlling, that’s all.’
Maggie sighs deeply. ‘Look, I know you don’t like him much. But he’s not stopping me. Not as such. And I know he doesn—’
Sean raises his hands to interrupt her. ‘Hey,’ he says. ‘I really do not have an opinion on the guy. Other than to say that I think you deserve someone who’s nice to you.’
‘Heisnice to me.’
‘Then good. That’s all fine, then.’
‘You’re talking about the pub, right? When he chose for me? And paid with my card? But it was fine. It’s just that he knows my tastes so well.’
Sean laughs. ‘I didn’t mention that, Mags. You just did. But seriously, I didn’t mean anything.’
‘And as for the rowing,’ Maggie continues. ‘I mean, of course, the ideal is to have a wonderful partner who caters to your every need and supports you in doing whatever you want to do. To be with someone who says, “Enjoy rowing with your best friend, darling. I’ll have dinner ready when you get home.” But life’s not like that, is it? You don’t ... well,Idon’t get to choose between some perfect partner or Dave, do I? I get to choose between Dave or being on my tod.’
Sean glances at a shop window and pulls a face. Maggie is sounding distinctly edgy today. Fearing that she may have seen his expression reflected in the shopfront, he turns back to check on her, but all is well.
‘That sounded terrible, didn’t it?’ she’s saying. ‘Am I sounding mad today? I am, aren’t I? Shut up, Maggie! It’s just that I get a bit defensive. I mean, I know he’s not an easy person to like. But his heart’s in the right place, honest it is.’
Sean reaches out and gives Maggie’s shoulders a quick squeeze. ‘Of course his heart’s in the right place,’ he says. ‘And that’s fine. And no, you don’t sound mad at all. You sound a bit ... stressed, maybe. But not mad, per se.’
