‘Hi,’ said Tyler. ‘It’s so good to see you. My astromancer said to expect good fortune and you must be it. What brings you here?’ He wiped his hands on his leather apron.
‘My garden isn’t very exciting. I thought something a bit different would add some interest.’
‘This stuff is definitely different,’ said Jay, studying a twisted lump of something unidentifiable on a table that Bruce was sniffing forensically.
‘I call this piece “Serendipity”,’ said Tyler, stepping in front of Jay.
‘Like the romcom film?’ asked Jay. ‘With Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack? I love that movie.’ Nora had had exactly the same thought– she and Jay were in tune like that.
Tyler scowled over his shoulder at him and addressed his reply to Nora, who was studying the sculpture with interest. ‘It’s a celebration of good fortune. Of the joy of unexpected good luck.’ Nora had forgotten how engaging Tyler was.
Jay squinted a little as he gave the piece another inspection. ‘Which bit is the good luck then?’ he asked.
Tyler had an irritated look about him as he addressed Jay. ‘It’s an interpretation.’
‘Huh,’ said Jay. ‘I like the bees. Did you make those?’
‘I specialize more in the intuitive rhythm of life and its manifestation.’
‘And then bash one out in metal. Interesting,’ said Jay.
Nora was giving him her wide-eyed shut-the-hell-up look. She smiled as she turned back to Tyler and his sculpture. ‘I really like your piece,’ she said.
Jay sniggered and hid behind the metal structure as best he could.
‘Thank you. That means a lot,’ said Tyler with sincerity.
‘Sorry if I interrupted you while you’re working,’ she said.
‘You are the best kind of interruption.’
Jay mimed being sick from behind the metal artwork.
‘This is a bit crazy, but maybe we could catch up some time? If you’re free.’ Nora watched Tyler closely.
‘You know part of me really wants to say yes but—’
‘You’re already seeing someone?’ anticipated Jay, coming from behind the sculpture as Bruce tried to pull him in the opposite direction.
‘Ah, no. I was dating this businesswoman. High up in pharmaceuticals. Worked away in the city a lot. But she was seeing other people and that doesn’t work for me.’
‘Sorry, that sucks,’ said Nora. ‘Was it a recent split?’ She was wheedling, but she hoped Tyler couldn’t tell.
‘About seven months, two weeks and three days. Youalways remember the day your heart gets broken into a thousand pieces.’
Jay and Nora were stunned into silence for a moment.
‘I’m joking,’ said Tyler. ‘But your faces were hilarious.’
‘So not heartbroken then?’ asked Jay. Nora scowled at him. And in response he mouthed, ‘What?’
‘Not exactly.’ Tyler fiddled self-consciously with his leather apron, making Nora think that it was most likely unpleasantly sweaty in the groin area.
‘Then you’re single,’ said Nora, unable to hide a small smile.
Tyler sighed. He had a melancholy look on his face, which made him even more attractive. He was still fiddling with his apron. ‘I am.’
‘Then we should definitely catch up some time. Hey, here’s a thought…’ She waved a hand as if something had just popped into her head. ‘We could maybe go out for a meal.’
