It’s our scene in the control tower breakroom, all over again, except now there are two of us who his attention moves between: from me, to Bess, back to me.
It’s only me he touches though, running his arm around my waist, turning my legs liquid.
Only me he holds as, slowly, he dips his head, lowering his mouth to my ear.
And I know the words that are meant to be coming, but also that it doesn’t matter what Nick says, because it’s been decided that this final, whispered line of Robbie’s should be left to the viewers’ imaginations.
For me, it will always be,Hello, Clarence.
That’s not what I hear now, though.
Not in this story.
Not in our story.
‘I think you’re the cat’s pyjamas,’ Nick says, in a voice that’s low, deep, pure Montana, and only his. ‘I always have. I always will.’
And I smile, looking into his eyes, that are the wrong colour, but which unequivocally make my heart sing, then I pull him towards me, kissing him.
‘Cut,’ calls Ana.
But we don’t listen.
We don’t cut.
Not yet.
Neither of us are ready to leave this scene.
December 2019
WHERE HAVE NICK AND CLAUDIA GONE?
The New York premiere forThe Bomber Boyslast night was everything we could have hoped for: glamour, glitz, and a star-studded turnout. What’s more, the movie – already slated as frontrunner for awards across all major categories – was even better. (Read our full reviewhere.)Everyone has given the performance of their career, and that ending is everything.
No surprise the mood on the red carpet was jubilant.
But there were two noticeable absences from the celebrations.
Neither Claudia Baxter nor Nick Turner were in attendance.
No one was saying where they’ve got to either.
‘That’s their concern,’ said Ana Ashley.
‘Leave them alone,’ Felix Jade told us.
‘I’m sure you’ll hear about it when they’re good and ready,’ added Emma Jameson, who was sparkling on none other than Felix Jade’s arm. ‘I really wouldn’t hold your breath.’
Epilogue
Claudia
December 2019
Ihaven’t brought my dad’s bear to the hospital with me.
I didn’t have time to go home and fetch him.
