Why had she let Sal convince her this was a good idea? And more importantly, why couldn’t she say no to her mother? It was Angela’s insistence that she and Fin hang out that had forced her into inviting him for dinner in the first place. Just becauseshehad no problem living in the past did not mean Eleanor felt the same way. Some things should be left well alone, and she had a sneaking suspicion that Fin was one of them. A part of her had prayed that he would be busy or at least have the foresight to decline the pity invite. Unfortunately, he had accepted without hesitation.
It wasn’t that bad at lunch the other day.
So? That doesn’t make us friends again.
Eleanor dodged out of the way as two screaming children hurtled down the pavement, chasing after one another. Theirfaces were wild with excitement and their laughter so loud it could be heard over the madness of Brixton High Street. Eleanor’s mind drifted back to the Halloween photograph her mother had found. How different things had been back then. How mucheasiereverything had been when they were kids. A part of her had wished for so long that it could have stayed that way for ever, but she knew that life didn’t work that way. Things changed. People changed.
We’re not the same as we were.
We’ll never be the same.
‘I’m sorry. I am so,sosorry.’ A mass of auburn hair hurled itself at her through the crowd, practically knocking her backwards. Fin’s freckled face was flushed and his green eyes sparkled under the streetlights. There he was. Under all the layers of time, the boy she’d grown up with. ‘Would you believe me if I said I even left twenty minutes early?’
Eleanor cocked her head and smiled. ‘Strangely, I would.’
It seemed, even after all these years, her ability to stay angry at Fin was lacking.
‘I hope your friend won’t be mad or anything? I will apologize profusely when we arrive.’ He grinned shyly. ‘If I’m still invited, that is.’
‘Another five minutes and you may not have been.’ She laughed, feeling her frustration melt a little more. ‘Come on, it’s just down here.’
Eleanor led the way, guiding the pair of them through the queues of people waiting at the bus stops.
‘God, London isso busy,’ Fin marvelled, lagging slightly behind.
‘Isn’t it like this in LA? I thought it was huge,’ Eleanor called back over her shoulder.
‘It’s big but … I don’t know. It’s not like this.’
They fought their way through the mayhem and turned down a quieter street. Despite this being their third encounter, conversation still felt a little stilted and forced. How the hell was she going to survive a whole dinner party with him?
You won’t. He’s here to make other friends, remember?
‘How’s your mum doing?’ she asked tentatively.
Fin shrugged. ‘She’s OK. Saw her on a bad day for the first time … it wasn’t great. She didn’t even know who I was.’
‘That sucks.’
‘Just a bit.’
Eleanor offered a weak conciliatory smile.
‘Is there anything they can do?’ she asked hopefully.
‘No, not really.’ He shook his head glumly.
Eleanor continued walking. There were so many things she knew she should say, condolences to pass on and questions to ask, but for some reason she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
‘Anyway, enough of the sick and infirm,’ Fin joked, breaking the silence. ‘Who is this friend whose dinner I’m crashing tonight? I don’t even know her name!’
Eleanor turned another corner, grateful for the change in conversation. ‘Her name’s Sally, but everyone calls her Sal.’
‘How do you know her?’
‘I met her at work. She’s brilliant, absolutely terrifying but brilliant.’ She hesitated slightly. ‘She’s my best friend.’ The words felt like a cheap dig and Eleanor could see a flicker of emotion pass over Fin’s face.
‘Ah, so I’d better be on good behaviour then?’ He chuckled nervously.
