‘Ooh, Ilikethat,’ she grins. Then she nods to the other side of the bar, which is being propped up by Daisy and Calvin. Their heads are virtually pressed together, as Daisy twirls her straw coquettishly.
‘They look very cosy. Are they an item yet?’
I shake my head. ‘No. I think they really are just friends. They spend a lot of time gazing into each other’s eyes and talking aboutAntiques Roadshow, but that’s about it.’
‘Unfathomable. Come on,’ she says, nudging me. ‘We need to make this happen.’
We head over to find them deep in conversation.
‘It’sreallyplump and firm to the touch,’ Calvin is saying, as Daisy listens enraptured.
‘Has it got a strong upward curve?’
‘Very much so.’
They spring apart as we approach.
‘We were just talking about Calvin’s succulent. It’s magnificent,’ Daisy breathes, wide-eyed. ‘Look.’
He holds the phone to me and shows me a photo of a potted aloe vera.
‘Calvin and Daisy knowa lotabout plant care,’ I tell Rose.
‘You two have so much in common,’ she tells them, very unsubtly. ‘Tell me, have either of you ever watched the movieWhen Harry Met Sally? It’s a sort of friends-to-lovers story. I’d really recommend it . . .’
I glance up as the doors open and see Krishna walk in, followed by Zach. The moment he sees me, his eyes light up.
I excuse myself and head over, as Zach breaks away to greet me.
‘Hey,’ he says, a smile dancing at his lips.
‘Hey yourself,’ I reply. ‘You are seriously honoured. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Krishna in the pub before.’
We’re amongst a crowd of colleagues but all I want to do is kiss him. Still, as he glances around the room, I register there’s a peculiar look on his face.
‘Everything all right?’ I ask.
‘Um . . . kinda,’ he says. ‘Have you got a minute in private?’
I feel a sliver of unease. ‘Sure.’
He nods towards the door. ‘Wanna step outside?’
We stroll along the canal as an orange sun is beginning to dip behind the office blocks. A band that was setting up in the piazza earlier is rehearsing a live performance. I don’t know what it is they’re playing but the music is mellow and earthy and thesinger has a sort of soulful voice, reminiscent of Nat King Cole or Gregory Porter.
Zach turns to face me. There’s some hesitant emotion in his face that I can’t interpret. I’m already worried that he’s about to say the words I’m unprepared to hear. Even if it is the precise thing I’ve been thinking for days, if not weeks.
‘This is awkward,’ he begins. Tears prick in my eyes. ‘So, here’s the thing. I met up with Sara today. And she asked me a pretty big question. One that has a huge effect on her life, my life . . . and, most of all, Mila’s life.’
I feel as if the ligaments in my limbs are going to give way.
Is he telling me what I think he’s telling me?
Are they getting back together?
‘Her dad is not going to get better, so the priority now is simply making him comfortable, looking after him and giving him the best quality of life he can have for as long as possible. It’s going to be a lot for her mom to deal with on her own. Her brother is here, but that’s a lot of heavy lifting for one young guy.’
‘Of course.’
