Page 57 of Things We Never Said
‘Do you hate him? Dave, I mean?’
Sean laughs. ‘You’re not listening, Mags. I really don’t have an opinion of the guy. I just want to make sure you’re happy.’
‘Well, I am. And I’ll be even happier once we get to Siena tomorrow.’
‘Tomorrow? And Siena is it now? I thought it was Portugal. Or Bali.’
‘Nah, we couldn’t agree on those. But Tuscany is going to be gorgeous. Especially if it’s like this.’ Maggie looks up at the blue sky.
‘And there was me thinking the cossie was for Jesus Green Pool.’
‘God, Jesus Pool!’ Maggie says, fondly. ‘I’d forgotten it even existed. We used to go there all the time, didn’t we? What happened, eh? What happened to our youth?’
As they have reached the entrance to Clowns, Sean gestures for Maggie to enter first.
‘It looks busy,’ she says, pushing at the door. ‘But let’s try, anyway.’
Once they have ordered their coffees (and, for Maggie, cake), they take the only free table, crammed in the corner, and sit.
‘You were so lucky, you know, to meet each other,’ Maggie says, as if this is somehow the continuation of a conversation they’ve been having.
‘Me and Cathy?’ Sean asks. ‘I suppose so. Though it doesn’t feel that lucky right now.’
Maggie rolls her eyes. ‘What is wrong with me today? God, I’m such an idiot sometimes. I’m so sorry, Sean.’
‘It’s OK,’ Sean says, flatly. ‘I know what you mean. And we were lucky, I suppose.’
‘It’s just the way you got on. About everything, really. Whereas for most of us – well, this is about as good as it gets.’ She sips at her cappuccino. ‘God, this is good coffee,’ she says, wiping the froth from her lips. ‘I wonder if it will be as good in Italy?’
‘I’d think so,’ Sean says, then seriously: ‘So, Mags. Are you happy? I mean, you say you are. But as good as it gets doesn’t sound that satisfactory.’
‘I’m OK,’ Maggie tells him, forking a lump of cake and pointing it at Sean, then eating it herself when he shakes his head. ‘Like I said, I’ve got someone to go on holiday with this year,’ she continues, speaking through crumbs. ‘And maybe that really is as good as it gets.’
‘You could have the pick of the pack if you just believed in yourself a bit more,’ Sean tells her. ‘You’re funny, clever, good-looking ...’
‘Well, thank you for your vote of confidence,’ Maggie says. ‘Now I remember why I like you so much. And Clowns! God, this cake!’ She pulls a face expressing ecstasy. ‘You really don’t know what you’re missing.’
‘I just ate late, that’s all,’ Sean says.
‘I was never very good at relationships,’ Maggie says, sucking her teeth. ‘That’s the thing. Or choosing men. I never have been. It’s like a skill set that I just don’t have.’
‘I remember you telling Catherine that, years ago.’
‘Really?’ Maggie asks. She looks puzzled. ‘Well, it’s true anyway.’
‘I’m not so sure it is.’
‘Oh, it is! Trust me.’
‘Maybe. I guess I mean that ... well, you believe in it. So it’s true.’
‘Like a self-fulfilling prophecy, you mean?’
‘That’s exactly what I mean.’
Maggie pulls a face. ‘Well, I’ve certainly spent most of my life self-fulfilling. When I wasn’t busy being in some rubbish relationship, that is.’
‘Now, come on. Even you have to admit that they weren’t all rubbish,’ Sean says.
