“Yup. I think the key is regularity and consistency. If we cover everything at a rapid rate, she’ll be back in no time,” Daisy said, her voice official. “Especially after that comment she left on Saturday.”
His face lit up. “It’s her first,” he said, “since we broke up. You’ve already achieved more than I did in months.”
“I’m basically a professional.”
“You actually are!”
She shook her head, laughing, but Tom meant it. It already felt like having a tiny part of Sophie back.
“I’ll add it to my CV,” she said, breaking into the smile of hers that brought out her dimples and lit up her eyes. She reached over and patted him on the leg, resting it there a second. He followed her hand with his gaze, holding his breath, before she pulled it away and picked up the book. “Okay... In your relationship, were you good at being alone?”
He frowned and she immediately laughed. “I think that answers that.”
“Wait, what do you mean? Like being without her?”
“Yes, exactly. If she went away for a weekend or wanted to spend time alone or with friends. Or maybe encouraged you to do it, did you?”
Tom bit down on his thumb, scanning back through his memories. Was it weird that he would invite her on every job hegot offered overseas? He didn’t just do it because he wanted her there; he did it because it was a perk of his job. An all-expenses-paid trip to Barbados, where all they had to fund themselves was Sophie’s flight, was hard to turn down. She mostly said yes, especially at the beginning. They traveled a lot together, with Tom’s camera providing the opportunities. Sophie always said how lucky she felt. How much she loved it. In the last few months before they broke up she’d turned down a few. She’d been upset once, worrying that in traveling with Tom she was prioritizing his career instead of her own. That when she was turning up for auditions, she wasn’t feeling prepared. The same similar looking girl was getting the parts instead of her. Tom had nodded and encouraged her to stay, though he had definitely sent messages when he got there, telling her he missed her and he wished she were there, but that was okay, wasn’t it? That was being in a relationship with someone. Youalwayswished they were there, because it made life better.
“That’s complicated,” he replied, instead of giving Daisy the entire reel of memories he’d just worked his way through.
“Then I think we’re onto something.” She handed him the book with another single line highlighted, as someone pressed the bell behind them and stood to get off the bus.
Orlando naturally loved solitary places, vast views and to feel himself for ever and ever and ever alone.
“So you think she could have read that and wished I were more like him?”
She shrugged. “It’s possible. I mean this whole book so far is basically about a man who chooses to endure loneliness so he doesn’t have to be let down or betrayed by people. It’s a pretty significant theme.”
“Eugh,” he said. “I’m going to have to go on some solo holiday and then post about it, aren’t I? Some yoga retreat or spiritual wellness weekend.”
Daisy’s eyes lit up, laughing. “It isn’t meant to be apunishment. You can do anything you want, you just need to do it... alone.”
“Thatisa punishment.”
“Then that’s all the more reason you need to do it.” The bus announced King’s Cross Station and a group of passengers, all dressed in puffer jackets, gathered toward the doors.
“What wouldyoudo?” he asked.
She bit down on her lip. “If I had to do something entirely alone? Honestly, I do a lot of things alone. That’s the bit I’m good at. It’s beingwithpeople that isn’t common for me. A holiday with a friend. Even a weekend. I’ve never done it.”
He squinted. “Why?”
Daisy thought about it. “I guess life is busy, and when I’m not working, Zack likes us to spend time together. Plus, money. I have a budget for my lunch, that’s how tight things are.”
“Well now I feel bad for slagging off the opportunity of a wellness weekend.”
“You should! There are people out there saving up for one of those.”
“Exactly,” Tom said. “And those are the people I’d have to spend time with.” He shuddered. “People who want a wellness weekend so badly that they’resavingfor it.”
Daisy giggled, leaning forward. “Alright, grumpy. What wouldyoudo then?”
He pulled at his lip, staring out the window. They were getting close to the stop where Daisy got off, and his heart always sunk a bit when he realized that.
“What would Sophie find appealing...?” He mused, tapping his fingers against his bottom lip.
“Forget Sophie for a second,” Daisy interrupted. “Yes, you’re doing it for her but it can still be somethingyouwant.”
