The temperature in the shop is skyrocketing. ‘No. I mean, he’s attractive, obviously. But no.’
Meg sighs. ‘I’m not judging. He’s hot.’
I mumble an agreement.
‘But I can probably introduce you to someone who you could actually go out with, someone single with a penchant for men, for example.’
This is mortifying. ‘That’s OK. I’m not really looking. Things with Ben are still… So I’m not looking… You know?’
‘Sure. Well, if you change your mind.’
We move to a bookshelf and she picks up some charcoal from an earthenware pot. ‘You working on anything at the moment?’
I hate questions like this. ‘Not really. My head’s not been in it. I’ve kind of got out of photography. Reminds me of my dad.’
‘That’s fair. We could work on something together, if you like?’
I play with the collar of my T-shirt. ‘Maybe. My stuff’s all in storage.’
Meg turns. ‘I’m being too direct, aren’t I?’
I smile and shake my head. ‘No, no. It’s fine.’
She sighs dramatically and walks to the back of the shop. ‘You’re too nice, Michael Kenny. I can be incredibly direct, to the point of belligerent. It’s OK to call me out on it. I have the skin of a rhino.’
The woman at the till is pretending not to listen.
‘OK, OK. You were a bit direct.’
She raises an eyebrow. ‘Go on.’
‘Very direct.’
‘Better.’
‘You were verging on belligerent.’
She laughs. ‘Excellent progress. And here…’ She picks up a notebook. It’s dark green with a leaf embossed on the cover. ‘An apology gift from me.’
‘Oh, I couldn’t. I…’
‘Michael.’
I smile. ‘Thank you.’
She links arms with me and we walk to the till.
As we head back into the alley, the question that’s been playing on my mind all afternoon bubbles to the surface. ‘If I can be direct for a moment?’
She nods. ‘Hit me.’
‘Why are you being so nice to me?’
She stops and looks at me. ‘Honestly? I kind of feel like we’re meant to be friends. I was talking to Cormac about your dad, and then when he talked about you I had this weird feeling like we were supposed to meet. Does that make sense?’
I flush. ‘Kinda. I mean, I’m really comfortable with you, when I’m usually quite awkward with people.’
‘Fuck off! Really?’
