‘I know. I must admit, I felt really sorry for him – about as much as I wanted to strangle him! Anyway, Sam was brilliantwith him and they got on really well. Sam’s so open about his problem, and I think that really helped. He’s a great guy and he’s been a very good friend – but that’s all.’
Sive smiled wryly. ‘Something tells me I haven’t made a secret of my feelings for him either, have I?’
Ciara shook her head. ‘No offence, but you’re not that good of an actress.’
‘So tell me about this date,’ Sive said, genuinely excited for Ciara now. ‘Who’s the guy?’
‘He’s a coach at a football club Jack goes to – or used to,’ she amended, rolling her eyes in exasperation, ‘before he was struck down with rickets or whatever he’s supposed to have.’
‘A severe case of Method actor syndrome.’
‘For which there’s no known cure, unfortunately.’
‘You know, I may have an idea about that. It’s a bit mean, but … cruel to be kind maybe? Kind to you, at any rate.’
‘I’m all ears.’
‘I need to have a word with Chloe. But leave it with me.’
Sive returned to rehearsals feeling as if a ton weight had been lifted off her. Now there was nothing standing in the way of her and Sam. Well, just one very big thing …
‘You seem to be feeling better?’ Sam said to her as rehearsal finished and everyone was packing up.
‘I am – loads better, thanks.’
‘Are you coming to the pub, then?’
‘Actually … would you mind hanging back for a bit? There’s something I want to talk to you about.’
‘Sure.’ Sam smiled. ‘I’m all yours.’
20
Sive toldCara she’d lock up. Mimi gave her a little wave as she headed for the door, with an expression that Sive knew signalled ‘good luck’. When everyone had left, she sat down at the front of the stage and Sam sat beside her, their legs dangling over the edge.
‘So about going to this wedding …’
‘Yes?’ Sam looked at her hopefully.
‘I’d love to go with you.’
‘Okay…’ It was obvious this wasn’t going to be a straightforward yes.
‘But you might rather ask someone else,’ she rushed on.
‘And you wouldn’t care?’
She’d be gutted, but she had to give Sam an easy out before she told him her news, so he wouldn’t feel guilty for changing his mind because she was pregnant. ‘It’s just you’re part of the family now. What if we were to split up? It’d be weird and awkward – for everyone.’
‘So … you don’t want to go out with me because we might split up?’
‘I think it makes sense.’
‘But you can’t go into a relationship thinking like that.’
‘I know no one thinks about that at the start, but maybe they should. It’d save a lot of heartache down the road.’
Sam’s face set. ‘So just do the heartache now and get it over with?’ His jaw was tight.
