Hannah frowns. ‘But not you and Jess, surely?’
He feels bad he’s said something now. After all, this is Jess’s best friend. But he’s got used to opening up more during his chats with Elena, and now it seems it’s happening with other people too, even if he doesn’t plan on it.
He shakes his head and laughs. ‘Ignore me … It’s just been a busyyear, what with my dad retiring from the business and me taking over the reins fully. And I suppose having a big anniversary coming up has got me thinking back over the years, how things used to be. But we don’t stay the same, do we? We change. We mature.’
She slings her arm around him and gives him an one-sided, slightly awkward hug. ‘You’re being too tough on yourself, Luke. Honestly.’
He gives her a grateful smile. ‘Thanks, but I suppose that’s why I’m hesitating over this present.’
She moves back around to the other side of the counter and wakes the iPad up to look at the images of the sculpture a second time. ‘Well, I think it’s stunning, and if you’re not a hundred per cent sure, since there seems to be an element of … personalization … needed, I can help, if you like. Then you can always blame those bits on me if Jess doesn’t like it!’
‘Would you? That would be amazing!’
She gives him a cheeky look. ‘What’s a Girl Friday for, if not for moments like this?’
‘You’re sure? I don’t want to impose.’
‘Of course. Actually, I have some things at home that might be perfect for ideas. Shall I bring them in for you to see?’
‘Hmm. Best not. Jess drops in occasionally and, let’s face it, I’m not the best at keeping my desk tidy, especially when it’s busy. I don’t want to give the game away before the big day.’
‘Then pop in for a coffee some time; I’ll show you what I’ve got, and we can have an in-depth planning session.’
‘Okay, thanks. I’ll order it later and then we can get to work.’ He catches sight of the clock on the wall and switches gears. ‘Okay, right … I need to be getting off now. I know it’s a bit early but I’ve got a … meeting … to go to.’
He grabs his iPad and sticks it in his bag and grabs his phone and his wallet, while Hannah heads back outside to her own desk.
‘Meeting … ?’ she says, as he dashes past, one arm in his coat and trying to shrug the other on. ‘I don’t see anything in your diary.’
‘I’ll fill you in another time,’ he yells over his shoulder, even though he knows he may never make good on that promise.
Half an hour later, he spots Elena, waiting for him. She’s back in the blue armchair again, leaving Luke to his usual seat opposite her. She’s taken up knitting and has brought some with her to while away the next couple of hours. He’s not going to say anything, but whatever she’s making … well, let’s just say he hopes it isn’t a present for him. He has enough monstrosities that his grandma makes him.
She looks tired. He slumps into the chair opposite her, definitely not feeling as weary as she does, but as if he’s running on five per cent battery, and everything could flicker out at any moment.
‘Life is crap, huh?’ she says, but she’s still smiling, despite everything.
He smiles back at her, genuinely lifted by her presence. ‘Yeah. Life is crap. Sometimes.’
‘Thanks for coming. I appreciate it.’
He shrugs. ‘No problem. It’s what friends do, isn’t it? Help each other?’
‘Yes,’ she replies quietly. ‘It is.’
WOOL
A textile fibre obtained from sheep and other mammals known for its excellent insulation and breathability. Wool symbolizes purity, warmth and protection and, in some cultures, sacrifice.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
JESS
When I wake up this morning the house is quiet. There are no smells of cooking pancakes wafting from the kitchen. Luke is beside me, sleeping so soundly that I have to watch his chest for a hint that he is actually breathing. I wonder if he is dreaming of something – possibly one of those strange ones where you’re endlessly chasing something or running away from something – because even in his slumber he is frowning. I decide not to wake him. He looks as if he could do with the rest.
Maybe it’s my turn to return the favour. I slip out of bed and go downstairs, then stare in the fridge for inspiration of what to make my husband for our anniversary breakfast. Luke is definitely more of a carnivore than I am, so maybe a fry-up? There’s bacon and eggs, and I find some sausages in the freezer. A rummage through the cupboard reveals a small tin of beans. I gather all the ingredients together but hold off starting cooking. I don’t want it to sit, congealing, while Luke is snoring. I’ll start when I hear signs of life upstairs.
In the meantime, I hunt for my current bullet journal and leaf through it for clues. I find it under a mass of plans and paperworkon the desk, which means Luke must be in the middle of a renovation project that is requiring a lot of time and energy.
