‘Only,’ Minty says, ‘we know men.’
‘Yeah.’ Tim’s voice booms. ‘On account of the fact that we are…’
‘Men.’ Minty fills in Tim’s missing words.
‘So we’re kind of on the inside loop,’ says Minty.
‘The inner circle, and we just want you to be happy.’ Tim’s voice sounds small, pathetic, but absolutely sincere.
‘I can’t,’ I say, exhaling a long, low sigh. ‘Even if I wanted to. I’ve got way too much work.’
‘That new job?’ Even Tim sounds excited.
‘Oh, Tim, it’s so good.’ I glance around the office: at the gold records on the wall. At the guitars propped in corners. ‘For once in my life, I feel like I’m in the exact right place.’
‘Brilliant,’ Minty says with genuine warmth.
‘Couldn’t happen to a nicer gal,’ Tim adds.
I can hear Minty grunting in agreement. ‘So, we just need to get that love life sorted. Only you’ll need to come now.’
‘Grrr.’ I find myself gritting my teeth. ‘I haven’t finished logging this stuff.’
‘Tomorrow,’ Minty says.
‘Get in early,’ Tim adds.
‘Sorted,’ Minty drawls. ‘Come on, Clara! You work too hard. You need to get out more. Robin’s a great guy. You’ll love him. Do this for me? Last time,’ Minty wheedles, his voice taking on a pleading note.
‘Last time?’ I restate the offer, no one is wriggling out of it.
‘The work will still be there tomorrow,’ Tim says reasonably, ‘but Robin won’t. Come on, Clara. You need to have some fun!’
Despite everything, their words strike a chord. Maybe they have a point. I have seriously been working far too hard at this. I’m not even sure how they’re going to pay me. Overworking is a part of who I am, but my life is a bit of a mess. I seriously need to start putting myself first. I stare at the spreadsheet in front of me. I could get in early and tie it up before everyone gets in. Wouldn’t it be amazing if I could get all the elements of my life sorted: great job, wonderful man? I glance towards Marco’s empty office. The man is gorgeous, but trouble, and my brother and Tim may have a point; maybe Robin really is worth a try? They’ve had so many duds that the odds are, at some point, they’ve got to come up trumps.
‘I don’t know,’ I say slowly. ‘I really don’t think this is a good idea.’ But even as I say the words, I know my resistance is crumbling.
Tim and Minty pounce.
‘Come on, Clara! Live a little!’
‘Do it for me,’ Minty says sadly. ‘I just want you to be happy!’
‘It’ll be fun,’ Tim adds eagerly. ‘We promise!’
I close my eyes. They always gang up on me like this to get their way. But Minty is my brother, and he cares about me, even if he has a clumsy way of showing it. Finally, I surrender.
‘All right, all right. But if this is a disaster, I will never, ever, ever trust you with my love life again.’
A roar of triumphant laughter greets my words. ‘Great, we’re downstairs in the lobby.’
They’re in the building!
‘Get yourself down here quick.’
I cringe. I’ve told them so many times not to come into the lobby. They always leave something. The goblin mask is a case in point. ‘Okay, but get yourselves back in the car. I’ll come out.’ They can do less damage that way. I hang up the phone and slump back in my chair with a groan. What have I gotten myself into?
When I emerge onto the street, Minty is waiting for me in an ancient hatchback, the engine rumbling. Tim and Minty cheer when they see me.
