‘But what if Miguel is happily married and…’
He stands up. ‘Nelly, we have to give a love a chance.’
His words echo inside my head.We have to give love a chance. This still sounds alien to me.
His dark eyes hold my gaze for longer than necessary. A fluttery sensation takes over my chest.
‘I’m going to cook some tea,’ he says softly. ‘Do you want some?’
‘What are you making?’
He smiles. ‘I took a screenshot of Barbara Plum’s chicken casserole and I have the ingredients.’ My heart swells.
32
We’re lying in bed, divided by our pillow wall. Our bellies are full of Barbara Plum’s chicken dish, and we have both agreed she achieved high standards of casserole-making greatness.
Through a gap in the curtain, I can see that it’s dark outside and there’s a sprinkling of stars.
‘I look forward to our chats over our pillow wall.’ The sound of his voice makes my heart beat faster. It gives me a rush of tingling sensations. Why do I feel like my body is being traitorous again?
A smile spreads across my face. ‘Me too.’
He sighs. ‘I’m sorry I missed this last night.’
Oh, God, his words are lighting me up inside. I’m surprised I’ve not turned into one of those lava lamps from the nineties.
I think he’s facing the wall. His voice sounds closer.
‘While I was making our tea, I wrote down a few ideas for a book.’
‘Really?’
‘This old house has given me some ideas.’
He needs to return to writing. It will do him good. ‘That’s great news,’ I say.
There’s a long pause, and I wonder whether he’s fallen asleep. ‘I’m struggling a bit at the moment, Nelly.’
‘I know.’
He stays silent for ages. I don’t try to fill the gap.
‘Do you know about what happened to me a few years ago?’
‘I know about the reality TV show.’
‘Oh.’
‘That must have been incredibly tough for you.’
‘It was.’ He sighs. ‘I feel like I am in a revolving door of pain right now. Coming back here was a bad decision.’
‘Whydidyou come back here?’
‘Molly, my ex-girlfriend, grew up near here. She’s moved back to be nearer her parents.’
I stay silent.
