43
It’s Friday, and I have thought about Oliver non-stop. The bookshop is quiet, and I have a throbbing headache. Last night after work I swam until I felt exhausted. I think I overdid it. At one point I did stop to float and let the water cradle me. When I got out later, I felt a little lighter, but the second I arrived home and saw Lenny camped out by the door, waiting for Oliver, the heavy sad feeling returned.
It’s mid-morning and I feel like cancelling my plans with Henry. I am not in the mood to make friendly small talk. Miranda comes up to the counter and studies my face. ‘You look unwell, Nelly.’
I rub my forehead. ‘Just a headache.’
She frowns. ‘Why don’t you go home after your date with Henry?’
‘It’s not a date,’ I snap.
‘Well, go home and take the rest of the day as sick leave. You look deathly pale.’
I eye her with suspicion. What is she up to? I can’t recall her ever sending me home sick. ‘Are you okay, Miranda?’
She giggles. ‘I have been on a date with a new man and he’s coming into the shop this afternoon.’
Ah, I knew there was a reason.
‘I can’t have him seeing you looking like you’ve been dug up. Whatever will he think?’ She smiles. ‘Get some rest, Nelly.’
I watch her hurry away. The thought of going back to my flat after Henry’s coffee and wallowing in my sadness is appealing. I can buy some new cereal on the way home too. Last night I messaged Eva and she recommended that sugary cereal and chocolate work best on a broken heart. She also offered to come over but I was too tired.
‘Can I buy this please?’ a man says, presenting me with the book he wants to buy. It’s on the history of the motorbike. After he makes a payment, I slide his book into a bag and hand it to him. Our fingers brush and when the light clears, I see him as an elderly man sitting by the bedside of another elderly man. He’s holding the man’s hand and telling him he loves him. His love will last a lifetime. I gulp back a wave of emotion as Oliver’s face appears in my mind.
The man puts his card back in his wallet as sound comes back to my ears. He looks around the shop. ‘My partner was supposed to be meeting me in here. I don’t know where he’s got to.’
‘Is he busy shopping?’
The man smiles. ‘Probably. I am not moaning. He can shop for as long as he wants. I am just glad he’s back in my life.’
I nod and fight back tears. How I wish Oliver was back in my life. ‘That’s nice,’ I croak.
Oblivious to my emotional state, the man starts to talk. ‘We split up a few months ago. He moved to the other end of the country. Newcastle, which is a long way away. I was sad for ages and then one day I decided I wanted him back in my life.’
My curiosity has piqued. ‘What did you do?’
He smiles. ‘I got on my bike and I drove to Newcastle. Just kept driving. Once I got there, I convinced him to give us another try.’ With a chuckle he says, ‘He’d been missing me and wishing he’d not moved away.’
‘That’s lovely.’
His phone starts to vibrate. ‘That’s him now. Goodbye.’
I watch him leave the shop and I serve a customer who is buying a book about Egyptian history.
Henry bursts into the shop at midday and the first thing I notice is the sweat on his brow. His jaw is clenched and his arm is trembling. ‘Are you okay, Henry?’
I am secretly hoping he wants to cancel our coffee trip.
‘I’m fine,’ he says, taking out a tissue to dab his forehead. ‘Shall we go?’
Miranda takes over from me at the till and winks as I leave.
The coffee shop, Bean & Cup, sits at the end of the high street. On the outside, it is painted a soft sage-green, and inside, the air is filled with the scents of espresso and cinnamon. After ordering we sit at a table nestled amongst some tall pot plants. Henry keeps checking his phone as we wait for our coffees. ‘Everything alright?’ I ask.
He sighs. ‘My nan had a fall in the night. Mum is in A & E with her.’
‘Sorry, you should have cancelled.’
