‘I’m not supposed to say. He seemedbroken, Rosie – totally devastated. He doesn’t want to see anyone, or be anywhere that reminds him of you. A suitably poetic reaction, I’m sure you’ll agree.’
‘Reaction to what?’ Rosie said, balling her hands into fists. ‘We had a horrible argument, but it wasn’t so bad that he needed to run away. Is that what this is? Has he justleft, sailed off into the sunset at the first sign of trouble? Is he even still in the UK?’
‘In fairness to him, it was more than just one argument, wasn’t it? What about the whole proposal drama?’
‘What?’ Rosie said, her frustration audible, her voice a low growl. ‘What are youtalkingabout?’
‘He said he came to see you at the hospital. To check you were all right because you weren’t responding to texts or calls. He said James was there, declaring his undying love for you … on one knee, with a ring.’
‘Oh my god. Oh my fuckinglife.’
Rosie felt cold panic grip her as a vision of hugging James slipped into her mind – felt the mad rush of adrenaline as it seeped into her bloodstream and told her heart to kick faster, beat harder. ‘What are you saying, Rhianne? That he thinks I’m back withJames?’
‘I told him it was unlikely – insane, even,’ she said reasonably. ‘I said he should speak to you before jumping to any conclusions. Did he not?’
‘No, he did not!’ Rosie barked. Rhianne’s eyes widened.
‘Rhianne, I adore you,’ Rosie said, ‘you know I do. But if you don’t tell me wherethe man I loveis right now, I might have to get violent with this potato masher.’ She seized the shiny metal implement from a nearby pot of utensils, brandishing it as if to signal serious intent.
‘All right, all right. Took you long enough to admit how you feel,’ Rhianne said, nodding in approval. ‘He’s gone home to Wales. To his mam’s. The school term was done, after all.’
‘Who’s gone to Wales? And why do you two look like you’re re-enacting a scene fromRamsay’s Kitchen Nightmares?’ came a voice.
Rosie turned and saw Niamh. She was gesturing at the potato masher, still held aloft in menacing fashion.
‘Brilliant – you’re here,’ Rhianne said with satisfaction. ‘I knew we’d need you – though I had no idea this one would get so het up she’d start waving my equipment around.’
‘Put the masher down, Rose, and let’s talk about this calmly,’ Niamh said. ‘At least lay off Rhianne. If anyone deserves a whack with that thing, it’s me. I’ve been a total dick. Though you better believe I amlividthat you didn’t tell me your mum was poorly.’
‘Sorry,’ Rosie said, sliding the potato masher back into position between a fish slice, a pair of tongs and a pasta server. ‘Did Rhianne let you know?’
‘No,’ Niamh said. ‘I found out on Facebook. Michael really doesn’t hold back on the personal updates, does he?’
‘He does not,’ Rosie said grimly, shaking her head. ‘The good news is, Mum should be OK. She’ll have to live with the angina but there’s no reason to think she’s in immediate danger. The more pressing issue is that I am madly, deeply,irrevocablyin love with someone who thinks I’m either engaged to my idiot ex, or at least considering it.’
‘Why on earth would Aled think you were back with James?’ Niamh asked, scrunching her nose in distaste.
‘Because James appeared in the corridor outside my mum’s hospital room and proposed to me,’ Rosie said, rolling her eyes. ‘On one knee. And Aled – who had come to be with me, to see if I was OK – apparently saw enough of this that he thought, he genuinely thought …’ Rosie’s throat choked up, and her best friend filled in the rest for her.
‘He thought you were hedging your bets, hoping to win James back the whole time.’ Niamh winced.‘God, what a moment for that knobhead to make good on my prediction! Only he could finally try to win you back in a way that fucked up yournewrelationship.’
‘Er – Rosie …? I don’t mean to interrupt whatever this is, but the lunch rush is starting and I might need some help,’ Tobi said from the doorway, sounding a little flustered.
‘Shit – sorry. I’ll be right there,’ Rosie promised. ‘Though I might need to head off a bit early today. As soon as you can spare me, Rhianne. Is that all right?’
‘Of course,’ Rhianne said, grinning. ‘Got somewhere to be?’
‘I have,’ Rosie replied, certain that Rhianne already knew the answer. ‘I’m going to Wales.’
‘How are we getting there, then?’ Niamh asked an hour or so later, over her frothy cappuccino.
‘We?’ Rosie said.
‘Obviously,’ Niamh sighed. ‘Unless you don’t want me with you.’
‘I always want you with me,’ Rosie said, giving her a quick, tight hug. They were still at the deli, but Marcus had arrived for his afternoon shift and Rhianne had urged Rosie to get going.
‘Do you think a train might work?’ Rosie asked.
