‘And you don’t? It takes some major arrogance to turn up unannounced to see your ex and book yourself into a hotel for a week while you try to worm your way back into her life without even checking whether or not she’s single. I hope you told him you were seeing Nick.’
I stopped walking.
‘Sarah! Why the hell not?’
Because I’ve dreamed of that moment for years and saying nothing was a million times better than jumping on him and dragging him hometo bed for old times’ sake.But, of course, I didn’t say that. ‘Lack of opportunity? I felt sorry for him? I thought he might judge me for moving on so quickly? And…’ I paused.
‘And?’ Clare glared at me.
‘He’s called Steven.’
‘How many times? He’snotcalled Steven. He’s calledAndrew.’
‘But Steven’s his middle name.’
‘So what?’ She grabbed my arm and started walking again. ‘If he’s the one for you, why didn’t your clairvoyant say your future husband would be called Andrew? She wasveryspecific on that point. If you’re going to believe it then you have to believe it all. A middle name is too tenuous.’
‘Maybe, but I can’t stop thinking about that and the fact that, even before I knew the clairvoyant CD still existed, I always believed we’d get together one day.’
‘Even during your first year with Jason when things were going well?’
‘Well, maybe not then…’
‘You want to know what I think?’
‘Do I have a choice?’
Clare gave me ‘the look’. ‘I think you loved Andy at uni. He was your first serious boyfriend and you were good together, but you both changed when you graduated and it fell apart. Instead of remembering why it fell apart, you’re remembering all the good times to a point where you’ve built him into this perfect being who you somehow believe you’re meant to have a second chance with. You’ve been thinking about this second chance for so long that you’ve made it a fait accompli. The fact that his middle name links with your search for Steven just adds credence to your beliefs and now you’re willing to jeopardise your new relationship with someone who could be your future for someone who was your past and should remain in your past for all the reasons it ended in the first place. Am I right or am I right?’
Was she?
‘I’ll take your silence as a sign that I’m either spot on or I’m close. Is this the pub?’
I nodded and started to lower my brolly.
‘Your lovely new man, from what you tell me, is in there waiting for you. Keep remembering that you’ve been swept off your feet by him. You think that much of him that, until a few hours ago, you’d completely given up your search for Steven to be with him. I’ll emphasise again that Andy’s in your past and he should stay there, but Nick could be your future. If you don’t screw it up.’
Before I could say another word she pushed me through the door of The Old Theatre.
‘You’ve already met?’ I was surprised to find Nick at a table with Stevie and Rob, half-empty pints in front of them all.
Nick stood up and gave me a quick, but very soft and lovely peck on the lips, setting the butterflies away again. ‘Stevie and I have met before,’ he said.
‘No! How come?’
‘I’m a mate of Stuart’s,’ Stevie said.
‘Skye’s fiancé? Small town.’ I shook some rain off my brolly and leaned it against the table.
Clare coughed behind me. ‘Sorry. Clare, this is Nick. Nick, Clare.’
Introductions over, we shed our coats and scarves while Stevie headed to the bar for another round. I sighed shakily as I sat down next to Nick.
‘Sorry we’re late. Did you get my text?’
‘Yes, thanks. It’s been good to catch up with Stevie. Are you okay? You look a bit stressed.’ He tenderly touched my arm, making my heart race. I wanted nothing more than to cuddle him tightly and remove the last few hours from existence. But it wasn’t that simple. Andy’s reappearance had stirred up a whirlpool of hidden emotions and I had no idea what to do next.
‘I’m fine.’ I was aware that my voice sounded high and squeaky. ‘Busy day and you know how much I hate being late.’
