Hi, you.
I can’t believe you’ve already turned Bernard and Layla into a diplomatic incident. I hope Jon and Abby realise they’re running an international crisis centre, not a B&B. I’m pleased to hear Bernard won the case, though. The emotional support pig is clearly vital to his wellbeing.
It sounds like everything’s back to its usual chaos, which makes me oddly homesick for a place that isn’t mine.
About next weekend… I’d love to say yes, but work’s a bit mad at the moment. I’ve got a case review coming up and a pile of reports that won’t write themselves. Maybe once things calm down a little?
Promise I’m not trying to wriggle out of seeing you—I just need to get through the next few weeks without losing my mind (or my job).
E x
From:Aaron
To:Eve
Date:25 March
Subject:Re: The Great Pig Scandal of St Claire
Evening, love.
You’d better not be trying to wriggle out of seeing me, because now I’ve had a taste of you, I can’t possibly go without.
And yes, I’m fairly sure that made you blush. I can picture it right now, that faint pink creeping up your neck when you try to pretend you’re not flustered. For the record, I miss that too.
If not this weekend, it will have to wait a bit. One of our consultants has dropped out at the last minute, so I’m stepping in to cover a trip to Syria with one of our clients. It’s a short-term project, mostly assessments and coordination meetings, but we’ll be moving around quite a bit. I can’t ask Will to take it. Hepromised Katie he wouldn’t travel anymore, and I’m not about to make him break that.
I’ll be away for a few weeks, so it looks like April before I can see you again. Not exactly what I had in mind, but it gives you fair warning to brace yourself. I’ll be making up for lost time when I get back.
I should have internet access most days, at least when the connection behaves, so keep writing. Even the short emails. Especially the short ones. You have no idea how much I like seeing your name in my inbox.
I’ll send updates when I can. It’s not exactly glamourous work, but at least it will keep me out of trouble for a while.
Stay safe, love. And try not to overthink everything. I’ll be back before you know it.
Aaron
From:Eve
To:Aaron
Date:6 April
Subject:Family survival report
Hi, you.
Firstly, I forgot to tell you when we spoke on the phone last weekend that I actually enjoyed it. Maybe you are the cure to my phone phobia.
Now to the most important update: I survived Mum’s seventieth. Barely.
It started with a brunch that turned into lunch that somehow turned into ‘just a few drinks’ and a karaoke machine. I spent most of the day pretending to help in the kitchen, so I didn’t have to make small talk with people who last saw me when I still had braces.
Mum was in her element though. She spent a good hour introducing me to distant relatives I didn’t recognise and then loudly reminding everyone that I’m still single, but working very hard.’ I considered climbing out of the bathroom window at one point.
My sister and her kids were there too, which meant constant noise, cake, and slime in places slime should never be. At least Mum was happy, and there was enough prosecco to blur the edges.
I finally hid in the conservatory with a slice of cake and texted Jennifer to tell her that if she ever plans another family event, I’m emigrating.
