There was something about Remy’s attitude, something about his openness, his clear distress where he believed he was at fault for something Pierre had done—on purpose—that had Ernest sitting down and putting a stop to Remy’s recriminations immediately.“I don’t need a coffee, thank you, but none of this was your fault,” Ernest stated firmly.“This was all to do with a private issue between Pierre, the balloon pilot, and myself.I’m embarrassed to admit it, but we had a bit of a fling about this time last year.It didn’t last.I can’t say anything to the man’s business practices, but on a personal level, the guy is a sleaze.”
Remy rolled back in his chair, his giggling filling the air.“I know what you mean about Pierre.I looked for alternative companies, but there wasn’t anybody else local that offered hot air balloon trips.I was so excited to have the rides as an event, such a fun and unusual way for people to meet.
“There’s sort of like a forced proximity aspect to it all.People have to talk to strangers because of the way those baskets are designed.And I just thought there was something so incredibly romantic about seeing the world from the sky.”
“There probably is.”Ernest had no desire to ever try it, but he could see why Remy thought it was a good idea.“The issue was, we had marked out paddocks clearly indicating that Pierre could not land on my farm, and of course, he did.That’s a police matter now and not important to you.Pierre was issued a trespass notice before the event, and he knew he had no right to be on my property.We also checked that he didn’t need to make an emergency landing.
“Look, as I say, as far as I’m concerned, Bucket List Buddies is completely blameless.You were their client.The responsibility for this is on the balloon company.I had to come and speak to you personally.It’s about the young man who was hurt.”
“Oh, poor Toby, yes.”Remy looked so sad, and Ernest could sense that his concern was genuine.“Again, I feel responsible for that, too.Toby took my place in the basket that morning.To be honest, between you and me, I had already done three rides, and I found Pierre’s attentions to be a little… they made me uncomfortable.
“Toby didn’t have a very good time on the flight he did on Friday night, and I really wanted to give him another chance to find someone special.He is such a sweet guy, and two of his friends have already found mates through the Bucket List Buddies events.I felt sure it would happen to Toby, too.
“Instead, he got hurt.I’ve sent flowers.I don’t really know what else I can do, but I felt awful because that should have been me in that basket.”
“I’m glad it wasn’t you,” Ernest said truthfully.“I’m the one who took Toby to the hospital.And… during that journey, while Toby was still unconscious…” Ernest’s face got hot, and he felt so uncomfortable, but he pushed the words out.“I realized Toby is my mate.”
“Yes.Yes.Oh, my goodness.Yes.Toby has met his mate through a Bucket List Buddies event after all.”Remy did a little happy dance in his chair.“I knew it.I just had this feeling, you know, then I was worried I was putting too much into it, but oh… I’m sorry.That’s insensitive of me because Toby’s not with you, is he?”
Remy leaned over the arm of his chair, first one side and then the other, as if trying to look around Ernest’s shoulders.“I know you’re a big person, but I’m sure Toby would have popped his head out by now if he were behind you.”He flashed a bright smile.
Appreciating that Remy was trying to make light of his difficult situation, Ernest let out a long sigh.“I had to leave him at the hospital.He hadn’t regained consciousness, and that was a real concern.Once they put him in a room, absolutely nobody would let me in to see him.You’re bound to hear about it, but I basically got dragged kicking and cursing out of the hospital.”
Remy quickly slapped his hand over his mouth, and Ernest looked down at his hands, cheeks heating.“I went back later, so none of the staff would recognize me—you know, with the shift change and everything—but by then Toby and his friends apparently had already snuck out the back way.
“I’m telling you this because I am really hoping you can give me some way of finding out where Toby is.You don’t have to give me his address, but his last name, maybe a contact phone number, anything at all?”
Remy’s face fell.“I really would love to.I honestly would.I work here because I truly want to see mates end up together, but the company policies are strict about keeping the confidentiality of the people who come through here.I’m sure you can understand that.”
His heart sinking, Ernest nodded.No matter how desperately he wanted to find Toby, he didn’t want Remy getting into trouble with his bosses over his problem.“I haven’t got a clue how to find him.I haven’t even been able to talk to him.I don’t know anything about him at all—”
“But I do.”Remy interrupted with a bright smile.“Look, I might not be able to give you Toby’s details, but you’re not on my list as a Bucket List Buddy client, are you?I’m sure I would’ve remembered seeing you at a previous event.”
Ernest shook his head.“Once the weather starts to warm up, that’s when I have to plant the flowers—it’s time-consuming.”
“I love the idea of a flower farm.”Remy clasped his hands over his chest.“I bet they look beautiful when they start to bloom.And that darn Pierre landed in your paddocks?Gods, he really is a thoughtless git.We definitely won’t be having anything to do with him again.
“That’s not important now, but what I can do for you is, if you’re happy to leave your name, number, and your address with me, I can see to it that the information gets to Toby.I was going to call him today anyway, just to make sure he was feeling better, so I can give him those details then.”
“That would work.”It had to.Ernest started patting his pockets for a piece of paper and a pen, but Remy was organized, handing a clipboard and a pen to him.“I know I should have left my details with Toby at the time, but I mean, what was I meant to do?Stuff a sticky note in his pocket while he was unconscious?”
“Yeah, that might have come across as a bit creepy.”Remy giggled.“But you leave your details with me, and I promise I won’t rest today until I know Toby has them.I’m sure he must be feeling a bit off kilter himself, and I doubt that is all because of the head injury he suffered.His animal side will have clocked your presence, even if Toby was unconscious at the time.”
Ernest was going to have to take that bit of optimism with a grain of salt.He trusted Remy would pass on his details, but whether Toby got in touch with him or not was up to the Fates.He wasn’t keen on leaving his mating in the hands of third parties, but he had more hope than he did at the hospital on Saturday, so that had to count for something.What else could he do?
Chapter Eleven
Toby
He wasn’t one to oversleep, but it seemed the accident had changed that, and worry-stressing over how today would go meant Toby woke late.He then had to listen to his bird side complain bitterly at the delay in getting started on the hunt for their mate as he showered.
Do you have to be so finicky, we’re already late.
I want to be clean and presentable when we meet our mate, and how can we be late when he’s not expecting us?
Just get your ass moving.
Really, was there any need?
