It’s what I’ve been working towards since I found out I got the job, and now it’s finally happening. My hands are trembling with relief and I can’t help myself from sagging against the nearest wall.
I did it.
Well, actually,Ididn’t do anything.
Even though I’m grateful to Sadia for adding Ma to her list, I can’t ignore the fury burning in my belly at Salman. What right did he have to tell Sadia about Ma? He might have saved me from the fire, but that doesn’t mean he can go around spilling my secrets.
I walk to our cubicles, hell-bent on having a go, but he’s not at his desk. Where is he? I know I shouldn’t be here, but he should be. I log on to my laptop and check his calendar, but there’s nothing there.
‘Oh, Poppy,’ Helen from finance says, ‘how are you feeling? I heard about the fire.’
‘I’m OK, thank you.’ I don’t mention my leg. ‘Actually, have you seen Salman? I need to talk to him about the date.’
Helen taps her chin in thought. ‘He’s on location at the moment. Sadia asked him to take promotional photos of the botanic garden by the uni.’
Huh. The botanic garden was a suggestion I rejected when we were writing up the date proposals, so why would he be heading there? Did he suggest it to Sadia after all? Did he do it at the same time he told her about Ma?
I need answers, and I need them now.
25
The basically vertical hill up to the botanic garden from the city centre is enough to make me reconsider my decision to tell Salman off about what he did, but I persist, even with my sore leg making it twice as difficult. I’m drenched in sweat by the time I get to the entrance. I grab a map from a staff member, trying to figure out where Salman could be. The garden is huge, and between the different gardens, the pond and the greenhouses, I could easily lose myself here for several hours.
Maybe it’s not as basic a place for a date as I first thought. Though I won’t admit that. Especially as I’m on my way to tell him off.
I wander through the Western herb garden, unable to stop myself from reading the plaques that inform me about the various plants and how they’re used to treat illnesses. I’m amazed not only by how beautiful the plants are but also by how they can help people with their ailments.
Of course, that’s all forgotten as soon as I spot Salman and his stupid face. He’s further ahead, peering into the lens of his camera as he takes photos of flowers, when I shout, ‘Hey!’
He immediately turns in my direction, his brows drawn together in confusion before a smile appears on his face. I make my way over to him, only slightly hobbling, pain flaring in my shin.
‘Careful,’ he says, holding out his hand as if to stabilise me, but I ignore it and sit on a bench nearby, Salman close behind.
‘Should you be out without crutches?’
‘Do you really think crutches and Bristol are a match?’
‘I suppose not.’ He takes a seat next to me but I deliberately scoot away from him.
‘How is your leg anyway? Wait, what are you doing here?’
I blow out a puff of air, sending a loose tendril of wavy hair away from my face. ‘That’s a lot of questions. But that’s the way you roll, I suppose. You just can’t stop running your mouth.’
He flinches as if I’ve physically struck him. ‘Woah, what’s that supposed to mean?’
‘It means that if you really cared about me, you wouldn’t have told Sadia about Ma,’ I shout, unable to keep my voice down. Not that it matters. There aren’t too many people around.
‘You went to the office?’
‘Of course I went to the office, but that’s not the point! Are you really that insecure that the only way you can make yourself look better is to tear me down?’
Salman lets out a snort. ‘Good one, Poppy.’
I fold my arms in response and his smile fades.
‘Wait, you’re serious? This isn’t a joke?’
‘Of course it’s not a joke!’
