“I’ve got to go. Bye.”
For the second time in less than five minutes, Libby’s phone line cut off. She stared at the phone for a moment, stung by Dylan’s abrupt tone. He must really hate her right now, and Libby could hardly blame him. She blinked back tears and then opened the “girl on the 88” e-mail account, scanning through the spam until she found the message Dylan had been referring to.
Hi,
A few days ago I saw your poster in Pimlico, and I think I may be able to help. There’s an old lady who lives near me in Clapham, and she’s mentioned to me before that she studied art at college in the sixties. I’ve spoken to her and she says she had red hair back then and she remembers meeting a man on the bus who never called her. She can’t remember his name, but she says he was very handsome! She’s 80 and herhusband is in a home, but she says she’s happy to meet your friend again and reminisce about the old days. Her name is Mrs.Stokes. Let’s make this happen!
Nasima
CHAPTER
26
PEGGY
Sorry, I might be a bit late on Tuesday, love. You know how I told you about that man I’m going to meet? Well, it’s been booked for Tuesday afternoon. I’ll come straight after and tell you how it went. Wish me luck!
CHAPTER
27
Libby and Nasima exchanged a number of e-mails over the next few days, and a plan was put in place for a meeting between Frank and Mrs.Stokes the following Tuesday at Oxford Circus.
Frank asked Libby to accompany him, which she was delighted about. She’d spent so much of the last six weeks thinking about this incredible-sounding woman, she was almost as excited as Frank about potentially getting to meet her. Libby didn’t dare ask if Dylan was coming too, but on Sunday, Frank had texted to say that Dylan wasn’t going to join them. Libby didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed.
Seeing as today was the first time Libby was going to see Frank since their failed trip to the National Gallery, she spent ages trying to work out what to wear. She knew she couldn’t hide her pregnancy from him forever, but today didn’t feel like the right time. Frank had enough on his mind without her suddenly announcing she was four months pregnant. In the end she chose a loose-fitting sundress that hid her small bump, and she put on a denim jacket over the top for good measure.
As she approached the bus stop near Frank’s house, Libby spotted him straightaway. His usual faded velvet jacket hadbeen replaced by a sky blue linen suit, which must have once fitted perfectly, but now hung off his stooped frame. He’d clearly tried to style his chaotic white hair specially for the occasion, although his attempt at a quiff was rather flat and a bit skew-whiff. On his feet was a pair of shoes that Libby realized, as she got closer, were blue suede. The whole ensemble was quite remarkable. Libby was about to call out hello when she saw someone step out from inside the bus shelter, and her stomach flipped.
Dylan glanced up and for a moment their eyes met, but his face remained expressionless and she quickly looked away.
“Libby!” Frank threw his arms wide and pulled her into an embrace, and she tried not to choke at the overpowering smell of aftershave. “Isn’t this exciting! I’m so glad you’re here to witness my reunion.”
“I’m very happy to be here, Frank.”
“Dylan was much more reluctant. I had to drag him along, kicking and screaming.”
“I don’t want to overwhelm this woman,” Dylan mumbled, but Libby could tell that wasn’t the truth. He hadn’t wanted to come because Libby had ignored him and then been so rude on the phone. For a brief second, Libby remembered the last time she’d seen Dylan, the electricity she’d felt and his offer to take her to the art class, but she quickly pushed the memory away. Everything had changed since then.
“This whole thing today is thanks to your and Libby’s hard work, so it’s only right you’re here,” Frank was saying to Dylan. “Although for the actual meeting itself, I may ask for a little privacy.” He gave Libby a wink.
“Your suit is amazing, Frank.”
“Thank you. I thought it might have gone to the charityshop years ago, but Dylan managed to dig it out for me. You don’t think I look silly?”
“Are you kidding me? You look very handsome.”
“Well, I looked a lot better the last time she saw me. But I wanted to make an effort for her after all this time.”
An 88 drew up to the bus stop, and Frank stepped on board and began his usual animated chat with the bus driver. As Libby waited behind him, she was conscious of Dylan standing nearby, so she pulled her jacket round herself in the hope that might cover any signs of the bump. When Frank finished his chat, the three of them made their way upstairs, Dylan supporting Frank, who was looking a little unsteady on his feet today. As it was the first stop on the line, the bus was empty and Frank took his seat on the left side of the front row. Libby sat next to him, and Dylan sat across the aisle.
“So, have you thought what you’re going to say to her?” Libby asked as the bus pulled off.
“I’ve thought of little else since you called me about the e-mail,” Frank said. “I’ve spent sixty years waiting for this day, but now it’s here, my mind is blank.”
“Are you sure you still want to meet her on here? It would be easier in a café; that way you can have a cup of tea and it might feel more relaxed.”
Frank shook his head. “Cafés are too noisy. Besides, the last time we saw each other, she was getting off the bus at Oxford Circus. It seems only fitting that today we should be reunited in the same spot.”
