Besides, he’s back to feeling frustrated that they can’t experiment new ways to forget the English language.
A frustration that triples when he hugs Loris to say goodbye. But it’s self-inflicted – as the seven customers are seven too many pairs of eyes – so he swallows it. And the sunny smile he receives, before he passes through the door, withers the remorse thatthreatened again to take root in his stomach.
Charles’ parents are out for the night, which thickens the cloud he’s walking on.
Once at home, he puts together a plate of leftovers to pick at while he writes and, on his way up the stairs, he takes down the framed photo of Fred and Heloise to toss it out.
21:12Meeting you has helped me in more ways than you can imagine. I promise I’ll explain soon.
21:16 WITH ONE LWhenever you’re ready
21:16 WITH ONE LYou didn’t give me back my keys
TWENTY
Charles buries his chin deeper in his scarf. It’s not as cold in London as it is in Chicago – according to Elsy, who has been complaining about it for five minutes – but the icy wind shaking the naked trees of the park is numbing his face.
‘How are things, weather aside?’
‘Pretty lit! I’m trying to befriend the marketing director. I gave her dating advice. Hopefully it’ll bear fruit for her tonight.’
‘What about you? Have you found a Chicagoan to test the extent of your expertise with?’
‘No. But I hooked up with Chris.’
‘The Chris who’s in your class?’
‘I’d be a tad more excited if I meant Chris Evans.’
‘Is there something in the American water that made you realise you fancy him?’
‘Probably… But anyway, how are you doing?’
‘I’m alright. Nothing special. You know…’
Suddenly on edge, Charles leaps up from the bench he sat on to take her unexpected call. He doesn’t want to talk about Loris with Elsy while an ocean separates them, but he hates that he has to lie again.
‘No, I don’t know and I’m sorry.’
‘For what?’
‘Gazing at my own upsetnavel on Sunday and not checking how you were doing after… After hearing Liv. After learning that… That—’
‘Milton drove Fred to speed up that road?’
‘Yes… It’s so messed up. How bad is it in Charland?’
‘It’s hard to tell... Ask me again in a week.’
‘I’ll ask you every day. How is it at home?’
‘I’m playing hide and seek with them, minus the seeking part. I volunteered to entertain Spencer tonight, so I’ll go straight to his place after my walk and I should manage to avoid—’
‘Your walk? In the park? It must be pitch black!’
‘I’ll use the torch on my phone.’
‘Very efficient against zombies or werewolves.’
