‘Enjoy!’ Eleanor called, silently sending luck to the poor, innocent intern that was about to experience the full force of her friend.
‘Thanks, I’ll try.’ Just as Sal was about to walk away, she paused. ‘What are you doing this week, by the way? Fancy drinks one night?’
‘Definitely. Although I can’t do tomorrow, I have art club.’
‘Art club?’ Sal couldn’t hide the surprise from her face.
‘Yeah.’
‘So you’re painting again?’ She nodded approvingly. ‘If you ever need a nude subject, you know where I am.’ Sal winked.
‘Unfortunately we’re still on fruit at the moment, but I’ll be sure to bear your offer in mind for the future.’
Sal flashed her a wicked smile. ‘Please do.’
As Eleanor watched her friend walk away, she couldn’t help but feel relieved. She’d survived, albeit rather clumsily, her first encounter with Sal. Eleanor had been sure that five minutes into the conversation she would be confessing the whole sorry tale, but she’d managed to keep her mouth shut and her secret safe. Fin wasn’t going to say anything, she was sure of that. The Fin she knew couldn’t stand confrontation, and she prayed that his feelings on that hadn’t changed.
The Fin you knew wouldn’t have kissed you back.
‘No.’ She clenched her fists determinedly. ‘No more Fin.’
Fin
He had been staring at the computer screen for so long his eyes physically ached. Sunday had been a write-off; the events of the night before had taken more out of him than he’d thought and he’d spent the whole afternoon asleep on the sofa. He needed to get Heidi’s pictures finished as soon as possible. He didn’t want anything hanging over him when he left for America. His ties to the UK would be clean cut after his mother passed, no more baggage or loose threads.
So, just like that, you’re going to go and disappear from Eleanor’s life again?
He kneaded his eyes with the palms of his hands, pushing the thoughts out with brute force. Fin had hoped focusing on the pictures would be the perfect distraction, but clearly thoughts of Eleanor weren’t going away any time soon. He was confused. He knew the kiss didn’t mean anything – she was drunk – but it was so nice to be back on talking terms he didn’t want anything to ruin it. Did he need to bring it up? Make sure they were OK?
No. Leave it alone.
He needed to talk to someone about it all, but who? His mother? Absolutely not. Nurse Clara? He laughed at the very thought.
Fin glanced at the time. It was 8 a.m. on a Monday morning in London; would Rob really be up so late on a Sunday night?
‘Only one way to find out.’ He reached for his phone and searched his call list. His friend answered immediately.
‘Hey, buddy.’ The sound of Rob’s voice brought a smile to Fin’s face. It was like an instant dose of Californian sunshine. ‘How are you?’
‘All right, mate. Surprised you’re awake!’
‘Pshhht, you know me. I’m a night owl by nature.’ Rob sighed. ‘What’s new with you? How’s your mum doing?’
Fin closed his laptop and sank back into the sofa. ‘Not good, although I swear I say that every time someone asks, yet she still lives to fight another day.’
‘Probably where you get your stubbornness from,’ Rob quipped.
‘Probably. What’s going on with you? Still in the throes of love?’
‘Behave!’ he sneered. ‘But yeah, I’m still with Rachel. It’s going surprisingly well.’
‘Have you told her about your meat-eating tendencies yet?’ Fin joked.
‘I had to, mate. It was killing me. Going out to eat and seeing all those big steaks coming past me while I picked at my mushroom and tofu burger. She doesn’t seem to mind. Maybe that’s what love is, hey?’
How the hell would I know?
‘Must be. I’m happy for you. When I’m back we’ll have togo for drinks or something? I want to meet this woman, check that she’s real and all.’
