“Maybe when I first heard it, I thought there might be some truth in it. But looking at you now…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You can see that you’re not taking it so well.”
“Wow, aren’t we observant.”
“There’s another rumour, too, going around the field.”
“Field?”
“Sports field.”
“Oh yeah? What are people saying?”
“They’re saying you gave up everything for a daughter who fell into your life.”
I smile sadly.
“That’s the rumour I liked best.”
“How come? Don’t you love gossip?”
“Like I said: I know you.”
I lift my eyes towards the ceiling and finally take off my cap, ruffling my hair with one hand.
“You know what else I know?”
“Let’s hear it…” I challenge him.
He leans back, taking a sip of his beer, before gesturing towards something over my shoulder. I turn slowly, curious; I recognise her just from the way she brushes the hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. I start to think that this arsehole might not be all bad, that maybe time reallyhasstood still. That maybe, after everything, something inside me stayed here, even when I left.
Jordan
“When I asked if you wanted to go and get a drink, this wasn’t exactly the place I had in mind.”
“Why? What’s wrong withDom’s?”
“Nothing really, but it’s two doors down from my house, and there are only ever two customers – both of which everyone already knows, apart from the occasional lost tourist.”
“So what?”
“Weren’t we supposed to celebrating something important?” Anya says, stepping towards me, as if she had a secret to tell; as if she were worried someone might hear us, or as if someone in this tiny city – or even the entire county – might not have already heard about my recent life events.
“That’s what we’re doing,” I remind her, waggling my empty glass in her direction.
“This wasn’t what I had in mind.”
Me neither – even though my idea was distinctly different to hers.
“Look, we’re here now. Let’s have a look around, scout out the talent. Come on, peel your eyes away from the table and take a look at all the possible candidates.”
“Do I really have to?”
“Would you rather I did it for you?”
I empty my glass and take a deep breath. I know she’ll never give in. I lift my gaze and let my eyes roam around the semi-darkness of the pub. There are the usual locals sitting at the bar: I can’t see any new faces, or anyone under the age of fifty. I shake my head and turn towards the other side of the room. Almost all the tables are full: it’s Friday night and it’s still fairly early – at least, for them. For me, the evening is already starting to dwindle away, probably due to my terrible mood. Or maybe I haven’t drunk enough to help me forget tonight, or the last ten years or my life; or the only man I’ve ever loved, who’s now busy loving someone else.
