Eighteen
Greg picked up his phone and made the call he’d been putting off all day. But when he heard her voice, he had second thoughts.
‘Greg!’ Jemma sounded both relieved and yet angry. He shouldn’t have waited until now.
‘Hello, Jemma. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to call. It’s been nonstop all week so far and as much as I enjoy the Indie Bookshops Event, I’ll be glad when this week is over. How are you?’
‘I’m okay, thanks.’ She didn’t sound okay.
‘How was your day out with Molly? Did you have fun?’
‘It was … informative. The weather was good.’
‘Did she take you to The Harbour Arm, as expected?’
‘Yes.’
‘To The Lighthouse Champagne Bar?’
‘No. To a seafood restaurant with a tongue twisting name.’
‘I know where you mean. The food is delicious there.’
‘I didn’t have much of an appetite.’
‘That’s a shame. You’re not unwell are you?’
‘Not unwell, no. But I’m not feeling great.’
‘Sorry to hear that. Anything I can do?’
She didn’t answer.
‘Jemma? Are you there?’
Still no answer. He glanced at the screen. The call was still connected.
‘Jemma, can you hear me?’
‘I … I can hear you, Greg,’ she eventually said, her voice subdued and a little sad. ‘But I’m not sure that what you say and what I think you’re saying are the same thing.’
‘What? Sorry. You’ve lost me. Say that again.’
She didn’t say a word.
‘Jemma? What’s wrong?’
Something strange was happening in his stomach. Almost as if a large and unpleasant snake was unfurling itself and slithering its way up towards his heart, which it was going to swallow in just one bite.
‘Jemma? Has something happened? Are you okay? Do you need my help?’
‘No. You were the one who needed help. And it was your lucky day when I arrived, wasn’t it?’ Her tone was stronger now and more determined.
‘Absolutely. You were the answer to my prayers. Not that I prayed or anything. And as I said, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to find a way to thank you. But I do intend to try. It’s just that I’m super-busy this week … things are a bit complicated.’
‘Complicated? So I suppose that means I won’t be seeing you today.’
It was a statement, not a question. He wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or concerned.
‘I don’t think I can get away. There’s a late-night event this evening which I’d completely forgotten about. I’d say you should come down, but I know you want people to think you were onlyin Folkestone for the day. I’ll have more time this weekend. Let’s do something then.’
‘This weekend? I see. Let’s talk later. I am supposed to be writing my book. I haven’t even written the first page.’
‘Well then. I’d better let you get on with that. We don’t want to keep your army of fans waiting, do we?’
‘No, Greg. We don’t. Bye.’
‘Jemma? Jemma?’
Jemma had hung up. And she’d hung him out to dry. Just as he had thought she probably would.
