Page 92 of It Was Always You

‘Yeah, yeah, I have. I met her through Diane at work. She’s a friend of a friend.’

‘Oh? What’s she like?’ She feigned interest.

He huffed. ‘She’s really pretty. Blonde hair, hazel eyes, slim. She’s called Emily. She’s… really nice. I’m supposed to be seeing her again.’

She snorted. ‘Can’t have been that bad if she’s agreed to see you again.’

He pursed his lips and his forehead creased. ‘I suppose not.’

She leaned forward. ‘What made you feel it wasn’t a success last time?’

‘I was… a little distracted.’ He dropped his gaze.

‘How come?’

‘Well, you’d gone to Florida and then the hurricane hit. I couldn’t rest. I was out of my mind with worry so I explained, and she said we should call the night off early so I could get home and wait for news. She offered to come with me, but I didn’t think it was fair, so we agreed to see each other another time. We’ve arranged to meet tomorrow instead.’

‘Oh, tomorrow? Well, that’s promising then. You’ll be fine.’ She did her best to encourage him.

‘Yeah, yeah, probably. I just wasn’t that sure.’

‘Look, I’m here and I’m fine. Normal services can now resume. Your wardrobe assistant is back.’ She held up her hands and smiled breezily, but inside her stomach was knotted.

A stunning grin appeared on his face. ‘Lily, you’re the best.’

‘And don’t you forget it.’

Lily had yet another restless, nightmare-filled night following her arrival back in Scotland. Adam texted regularly, but she had assured him she was completely fine and that he shouldn’t worry.

It was the morning after his second date with Emily. Lily showered and decided to make the most of the compassionate leave that had been thrust upon her by her superiors. She visited her mum who clung to her as if she might evaporate at any second. She stayed for a couple of hours, but exhaustion took over her again and she had to go home and sleep. When she awoke, she spent a little time pottering in the garden and then went to the local newsagents to buy the Sunday papers.

After brewing a fresh pot of coffee, she spread the newspapers across the kitchen table and was reading all about the further devastation caused by the hurricane in the south of the United States. It had continued to move on, wreaking havoc whenever and wherever it hit land.

She paused when she heard ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay on the radio. The song stirred emotions inside her and sent shivers down her spine as Adam’s words from the day before echoed in her mind and she absorbed the lyrics. An ache of intense longing took over her chest, and she placed a hand over her heart as tears came. She longed for him to feel the same way she did, but he never would and she knew she would have to let him go once and for all. When tear stains appeared on the linen fabric of her skirt, she reached over and turned off the radio.

The doorbell rang, snapping her back to reality. She could see the tall shape through the glass panel and in daylight it was obvious who it was. She wiped her eyes, inhaled a deep breath, plastered on a smile and went to answer the door.

‘Adders, to what do I owe this unexpected displeasure?’

He huffed. ‘Sod you, then. Last time I bring you a bloody cream cake.’ He turned to walk away.

Panic set in and she shouted after him, ‘Adders, I was kidding!’

He turned back to her with a wide grin on his face and pointed a finger at her. ‘Hahaaa! Got you!’

She rolled her eyes. ‘Shit head.’

He flicked her head as he walked past her into the house. ‘Oh, shut up and get the kettle on.’

‘So mature, Adders, so mature.’ She made her way through to the kitchen and washed out the cafetière.

‘So… do you want to hear about my date?’ he asked, gushing enthusiasm.

Nope… not in the slightest. Can’t think of anything worse at the moment. ‘Sure… how’d it go?’

‘Weeeell, I’m seeing her again.’

She turned towards him and plastered a smile on her face. ‘Great… see… oh ye of little faith.’