‘Then why are you giving me this now?’
‘Because that’s the way it works. I have to wait until I have all the figures. Obviously, because you were stepping in for Laurence, I’ve used the per centages I use for his events. It’s not the sort of sums you’re used to, but Laurence always seems happy so I hope you will be too. Especially as we sold more of your books than we’ve ever done at one of his events. Not by that much but each sale makes a difference. Please don’t tell him that you outsold him when you meet him though. He can get a bit touchy where his book sales are concerned. You know where I am if you have any questions. Have a good night, Jemma. And thank you again for your help.’
He had to summon all his strength to turn and walk away, because she looked so gorgeous and also a little lost, standing at the door looking at him as if she couldn’t believe what was happening.
‘Greg?’
He spun round on the spot. ‘Yes.’
‘If I ask you a question, will you tell me the honest truth?’
‘What is the question?’
‘Does it matter?’
‘It might. Is it … is it personal? Or business related?’
‘Business related.’
‘Then yes. I’ll be completely honest.’
‘Did you just decide to give me this money? Or was it always your intention to do so?’
‘It was always my intention. As I said, you were standing in for Laurence. I pay him a share of the profits for events such as these, so of course I’d do the same for you. Or for anyone who was taking his place.’
She looked as if a heavy load had been lifted from her shoulders. And then she looked cross.
‘Then why have you been ignoring me and avoiding me and making me feel that you only wanted me as a stand in for Laurence?’
‘What? Only wanted you as a stand in? Are you mad?’ That made him cross. How could she say that? ‘I wanted you. Full stop. I mean, I did. I do. I don’t know. I have been avoiding you, I’ll admit, but that was because you clearly didn’t feel what I was feeling and I’ve been hurt once and I didn’t relish the prospect of that happening again. And certainly not with you. Because I knew you’d be far harder to get over. But you’ve been that anyway, so it wouldn’t have made the slightest bit of difference. Sorry. What were those questions again?’
‘What are you saying? That you’ve been keeping your distance from me because … you like me?’
‘Yes. No. I did like you. Now I know it’s more than that. But don’t worry. I know you’re way out of my league. You’re a hugely successful author, which was obvious before the event but that event only made it clearer to me. I own a bookshop. Not exactly equals are we?’
‘Is that what you think? That you’re not good enough for me because you have a lower income? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.’
‘Oh is it? Well I’m sorry. But now you’ve made some new friends, haven’t you? So you don’t need me hanging around, do you? I only came to give you that. I’ve done that. That’s it.’
He turned and marched away, slamming his front door behind him.
That bloody woman!
His life was bliss until she arrived. Now he couldn’t even think straight. He couldn’t tell up from down or left from right. Nothing felt the same since she’d arrived.
The sooner she left here the better, then everything would go back to normal.
A loud rumbling came from overhead and lightning lit up the room.
Great. More bloody rain on the way. Some summer this was turning out to be.
He dropped onto the sofa and let out a long, deep sigh and waited for the rain as he stared out of the window.
But it didn’t come. He could be waiting for a while.
He got up, marched to his front door, flung it open and stormed out.
He pounded on the front door of his neighbour.
