Page 70 of Second Chances at the Board Game Café

‘That’s a big sacrifice.’

‘Yes, I wanted to help.’

‘You must really like like her, as Max would say.’ Ludek raised his eyebrows. ‘Have you talked to her yet? About what happened with you two?’

Harry shook his head. ‘I don’t know how she feels about me. She said she likes me, but does she mean like as a friend, or something more? She gave me the distinct impression that alcohol was a factor when we…’

A gentleman didn’t kiss and tell, he reminded himself, but this was different; Ludek was a friend and a doctor, and not the type to spread salacious gossip.

‘Harry, can I give you some advice?’

‘You sound like Kate.’

Ludek laughed. ‘I hope not. You seem very keen to make yourself useful to this woman. Mending her washing machine. Doing her accounts. Letting her work from your dining room. I mean, packing your train set away – it must be love.’

Harry laughed. ‘I want her to like me.’

Ludek looked thoughtful. ‘I have to say something, Harry, as your mate. But I’m not sure how to put it.’

‘Spit it out.’

‘It’s great you’re helping her. You’re kind and generous. And I’m not saying you shouldn’t help her. But you don’t have to go round helping people for them to like you. We like you, Harry. We like you because we like you. I like you. Emily likes you. We don’t like you because you always collect your own drinks from the counter if we’re busy, or bring the empties back. We like you because you’re a very likeable bloke.’

Harry looked down at his latte, and because he didn’t know what to do or what to say, he tore open a little sachet of sugar and emptied it into his cup, even though he didn’t take sugar. Then he stirred it ever so slowly, trying to process what Ludek had said.

He spent his life trying to help other people. He always had done. At school, he’d been the child who shared his packed lunch, who lent all his crayons, who let other boys play with his train set even though on, at least four occasions, one of his precious engines had got broken, and Barry Simmons had snapped the chimney off his new Hornby station. He’d done all those things because he wanted his classmates to like him. He’d wanted friends.

He had done the same with Fay, and now he was doing exactly the same with Taylor. Deep down, there was a part of him that wanted to help her to make her like him, because he didn’t see why she would otherwise.

He knew it was ridiculous. Look how badly things had ended with Fay. She’d been taking advantage of him all along. Taylor wasn’t like that; he felt sure that she genuinely saw him as a friend, but Harry longed for more.

He looked at Ludek. ‘I want her to like me, Ludek. But why would a lovely woman like her want a geeky trainspotter like me?’

‘Any woman would be lucky to have you, Harry. It’s about time you realised that. And here comes the lady in question.’

The door of the café swung open and Max bounded over to the table, closely followed by Taylor.

Ludek stood up and put a hand on Harry’s shoulder. ‘Very lucky, Harry. Remember that.’ With that, he disappeared off in the direction of the kitchen.

‘I’m not interrupting anything, am I?’ Taylor said hesitantly. ‘Great shirt, by the way.’

Harry beamed. She’d noticed. ‘Not at all. What brings you here?

‘Had a bad day at school again, didn’t you, Max? So I thought this would cheer him up. Are you free for a game?’

‘Sorry to hear that, Max. What would you like to play?’

‘I’ll go and order some drinks,’ said Taylor, ‘whilst you two decide. Chocolate milkshake, Max? Can I get you another coffee, Harry?’

‘Please. Decaf latte. This one’s gone cold and, for some reason, I put sugar in it when I don’t take sugar.’

‘Decaf latte and chocolate milkshake coming right up,’ she said.

Max watched her until she’d reached the counter, then turned to Harry and whispered, ‘Are you going to ask my mum on a date?’

Harry wasn’t sure how to respond. ‘I’m not sure.’

‘Liam’s mum has a new boyfriend and he buys Liam loads of presents.’