‘Have you got any idea what you might like to do after that? Do you see yourself going to work for Kalinda again?’
I sigh. ‘I don’t know … I spent so much of my working life making sure everybody else’s life was perfect. Maybe it’s time to do something for myself?’
‘Any ideas?’
I play with a knot on the top of the wooden table. ‘I kind of like the idea of being my own boss, setting up a business of some kind.’
Mum smiles. ‘Just don’t rush into things, okay?’
I laugh. ‘If that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black!’
She purses her lips, but her eyes glitter. ‘Cheeky! Anyway … I think it’s time to get back, and when we get home, you’re going to do two things.’
I roll my eyes. ‘Oh, am I?’
‘You’re going to get out of that tracksuit and put some proper clothes on, and you’re going to call Simon. He’s been leaving me messages and I’ve had just about enough of him.’
He’s been calling Mum too? I don’t suppose I can put this off any longer.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE
Present Day
I meet Simon outside a café near the station, overlooking Brockwell Park in Herne Hill. It’s a brisk September morning, and there’s an autumnal chill to the wind. He looks unsure of himself and aborts an attempt at a hug or a kiss on the cheek when he sees my face.
‘Thanks for coming,’ I say.
‘Do you want to go inside?’
I shake my head. All of the other tables outside are empty, and I’d prefer privacy for this conversation.
‘How are you?’ he asks when we’ve both sat down.
‘Doing okay,’ I reply, which is the truth. It’s been almost a month since Simon and I last saw each other, and I am feeling stronger every day. ‘We have a few things we need to discuss.’
He looks nervous as he pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket. ‘I think we need to go over what we’re going to do about the flat first, which will have an impact on what you want to do with your stuff. Then other financial stuff, and lastly, I suppose, us.’
I’m flabbergasted. Simon has actually made a list instead of waiting for me to do it?Wonders will never cease. ‘Okay. Fire away …’
After the waitress takes our coffee orders, we get down to business, agreeing that Simon will take over the lease for the remaining three months. I only have the money from Mum’s part-time job at the moment, and it definitely doesn’t pay as well as my old job, so I can’t take it on. But thank goodness for the substantial savings I built up while working on yachts. I was going to use them as a deposit for a house, but at the moment, it’s allowing me to heal at my own pace and take stock of my life.
‘Will you move out?’ I ask him.
He shrugs. ‘Haven’t decided yet. I might get a room-mate. Gil said he might need somewhere to stay for a bit.’
At the mention of Gil’s name, cold lightning shoots through me. He’s moving? Does that mean Heron’s Quay is finished? I’d so love to see how it turned out. Where’s he going next?
No, Erin. You do not need to know these things. Leave it well alone.I turn my attention back to Simon. ‘So, how about my stuff?
I’d rather come and collect it when you’re at work.’
Simon looks slightly disappointed, but he agrees. And then we discuss our aborted wedding plans, which deposits we will lose if we never reschedule, what other associated costs we might have to bear.
Simon sighs. ‘It seems a shame to let all that money go to waste.’
‘What else can we do?’
After taking a few warming sips of his coffee, Simon says, ‘I’m sorry, Erin. Really, I am. I didn’t mean for it all to end up like this.’
