‘Yeah, I know,’ I say. ‘Thank you.’
‘She look likeallthe demons from Hell have come up here and danced around her, pinned her down and then the devil himself has risen up and twisted out her soul…’ Temperance explains.
Innocence nods as his mother continues.
‘She look like someone has laid juju on her and she did not have enough love in her heart for Jesus to know that these things are the preserve of witches and conmen.’
‘She didn’t even wave,’ Innocence adds.
I toy with the idea of going to Luisa’s but in each scenario I imagine I end up getting punched in the face. Sometimes by Remi, usually by Luisa and occasionally the both of them. None of my imagined scenarios involve me being allowed to speak to Belle and I think they are probably accurate. I need a better plan than turning up on Luisa’s doorstep.
Obviously, I have tried to call her and she has not picked up. That’s unlike Belle. She always answers her phone; I’ve seen it. Even when she really doesn’t feel like talking to anyone, even when it’s her father merely ringing to have a go. Although of course there is always the possibility that Luisa has kidnapped it and locked it in a steel box. That is way more probable than Belle letting it ring out.
I think I need some help. I do not want to sit in this car and dwell on all the ways in which I’ve messed up, all the ways Belle could be feeling right now because of my knee-jerk reaction to seeing her and panicking. I need action not overthinking. I look out the car window and see Temperance putting up a new display outside the shop to entice customers in. Hmm, maybe not her. Not that I’m doubting the power of prayer – oh, actually, good point. I’ll takeallthe help I can get at his moment. I wind down the window.
‘Temperance, I need your help. Will you put me in your prayers? And Belle too?’
‘That sweet girl is always in my prayers. Now move on out of here. Sitting there, scaring away my customers. They’re going to think you’re police. Go on, begone.’ She flaps her hands at me as if I’m an errant chicken.
I drive towards Eastville Park. I don’t want to go all the way back to my flat, and I’m not sure that I want to go to my mum’s. Sitting by the lake will be the perfect place to think.
As I drive I cast my mind back to the times Belle, Marsha and myself have driven around in this car, and how much we have giggled. I’ve not had such carefree feelings in a long time. That is what I want in my life. I want a family of my own. Funny what one month can do to your life. One month and a glaringly sharp moment when you hurt someone you care about deeply because of pig-headed stubborn control-freakery. There is nothing I want more than to recreate that family feeling at Belle’s side. But right now, the only thing that matters is to make her realise how much I regret hurting her. To make her see that I think she is a miracle.
Enough daydreaming. I need to act, formulate my next steps. As much as it pains me, Mum is going to have to be part of my crack team. She’ll bring ideas to the table, she devours romance books on her Kindle – Dave used to joke they could have had a tropical holiday every year if she just stopped buying every romance book that was ever published. Plus she will make sure I never hear the end of it if I don’t give it my best shot.
And Jamal, I could do with him on board too. He is super busy, yes, but he knows me well, has met Belle and likes her. He’d been great for talking through things the other day and he’s a master of creative thinking. That, and he has a way with romantic partners. I’ve seen him in action, it isn’t just his sculpted jaw and millions in the bank that win him his success there. Ever since he was eight that man has been able to cast a spell.
This is the start of a plan. Now to implement it.
Mum, you’re right, I need to do what I can to apologise and try and win her back. Wanna help?
Oh yes. Glad to hear it. What are you going to do?
Ummm. That’s the thing, I’m not sure yet.
Okay, you need to make a big romantic gesture, like those inLove Actually. Is she going to an airport at all? Oh and a speech, you definitely need a speech, like Jude Law’s inThe Holiday.
I haven’t watched those movies in years.
Well go watch them today. Get tips from the masters. You can fast forward to the main bits.
Okay, any other advice?
Preferably some that doesn’t involve watching movies that I remember being quite long and which are bound to make me feel wildly inadequate…
Hmm, make sure you tell her you’ve been a fool. That she’s the one for you, that she is not second best to Jessica. I mean don’t say that if it’s not true, but if it is, then say it. And music, definitely you need to think of music. Look at that lovely Andrew Lincoln with the flip cards.
Love Actuallyagain?
Yes! See, you do know. Just watchLove Actuallyand then do that.
Great, thanks.
No need for sarcasm. Oh and those nice jeans, the ones I said I like, wear those. With some of that nice citrussy aftershave you have.
Okay.Love Actually, clean clothes, wash. Got it.
Which boils down to a big romantic gesture that will terrify me and basic personal hygiene. Time to see if Jamal has anything to add.
