Or there’s the other possibility that he’ll fly off the handle when I tell him that I’m writing a book about all of my ex-boyfriends and he has a starring role.
Guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
I’m as keen on crossing that bridge as Billy Goat Gruff.
I don’t feel a whole lot more enthusiastic about meeting up with Liam again. As I’ve said, he’s married with two small children, and the thought of his pitying face makes me shudder.I left you because you can’t have children – but I can! Sorry about that...
I try to push thembothout of my mind.
‘I have some more good news for you,’ Sara continues. ‘I spoke to Fay earlier, and she loves your synopsis. The baby theme is inspired!’
‘Really?’ This cheers me up immensely.
‘Seriously, Bridget, I am super-proud of you,’ she continues as I beam from ear to ear. ‘Now all you need to do is write it!’
I feel a flurry of nerves. I have until the end of January to deliver, which is only five months away. Luckily, Nicki had already written a quarter of the book.
I’m itching to return to Cornwall so I can crack on, but unfortunately my train doesn’t leave until the morning.
That afternoon I hang out with Dad at the pub, and at dinnertime he joins me at a table. I love gastro pubs – don’t get me wrong – but I hope the good old-fashioned British public house menu never dies out completely. There should always be a place for frozen scampi and deep-fried onion rings in our lives.
Elliot FaceTimes me at nine o’clock.
‘I’m still at the pub,’ I say, turning my screen around to show him the slot machines, followed by my dad behind the bar. ‘Look, there’s the old man, serving a customer.’
He says something that I can’t hear so I turn the phone back around and ask him to repeat it. I have to partly lipread because it’s so loud in here. He wants to know when I’m going back to Dad’s.
‘Not sure,’ I reply. ‘Have you just got out of the shower?’ His bare chest is coming into shot at the bottom of the screen.
‘Yeah. You know I’ve got to leave for work soon, right?’
He’s not at all happy with me, I realise. I sigh dejectedly and get up, going through to the corridor where the toilets are. It should be quieter back here.
‘I was waiting for Dad to give me a lift home,’ I tell Elliot apologetically when the bar noise has been muffled.
‘Couldn’t you have walked?’ he asks.
‘Do you want me wandering the streets alone at this hour?’
He’s taken aback by my spiky tone. I’ve never complained before.
‘Are we okay?’ he asks after a long, tense moment.
‘Yes.’ I shake my head, ruffled. ‘Sorry, it’s just been a bit of a full-on day, that’s all. I’m a bit stressed.’
‘Whyareyou rushing back to Cornwall?’ he asks.
‘I’ve got so much to do...’
‘How can Charlie have a problem with you having a few days off? It’s a bit rich, considering he made you go all the way there to work.’
‘He’s not giving me grief about it,’ I tell him. ‘Iwantto go back. It’s his daughter’s birthday party on Sunday. I don’t want to miss it,’ I admit.
At the look on his face, I quickly backtrack, coming to my senses. I’m being a terrible girlfriend. ‘What time are you leaving for work?’
‘Half an hour.’
‘If I walk quickly, I’ll be back in fifteen,’ I say determinedly.
