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Ooh. She’s good. She’s a lot smarter than I thought. I didn’t even realize she was paying attention to the conversation.
This is impossible. There’s no way I can turn down an invitation to the Business People di
Damn her.
“Yes,” I say at last, stiffly. “Thank you, Ed, that’s very kind of you. I’d love to come.”
“Good. That’s great. I’ll send you the details.”
We both sound as though we’re reading lines from cards. Genevieve is looking back and forth between our faces, bewildered.
“So… you are a couple,” she says.
“No!” we reply in unison.
“No way,” I add for emphasis. “Not at all. I mean… never. Not in a million years.” I take a sip and glance over at Ed. Is it my imagination, or does he look just the tiniest bit offended?
I last about another twenty minutes, listening to Genevieve show off about every single holiday she’s ever been on, practically. Then Ed glances at me, and my empty glass, and says, “Don’t let me keep you.”
Don’t let me keep you. It’s a good thing I’m not into this guy. If that isn’t code for I can’t stand a moment more in your company, I don’t know what is.
“I’m sure you have di
“Yes!” I say brightly. “I do, as it happens. Absolutely. Di
“Well, I have plans too.” He nods. “So maybe we should…”
He made di
“Yes, let’s. It’s been… fun.”
We both stand up, make general parting gestures at the businesspeople, and head out of the bar onto the pavement.
“So.” Ed hesitates. “Thanks for…” He makes as though to lean in for a peck on the cheek, then clearly decides against it and holds out his hand instead. “That was great. I’ll let you know about the Business People di
His face is so easy to read it’s almost pitiful. He’s already wondering how the hell he got himself into this one-but, having invited me in front of a crowd, he can hardly back out now.
“So… I’m going this way…” he adds.
“I’m going the other way,” I respond at once. “Thanks again. Bye!” I quickly turn on my heel and start striding down the street. What a fiasco.
“Why are you going home so early?” says Sadie crossly in my ear. “You should have suggested going to a nightclub!”
“I have di
I’m feeling pretty starving, and a bit sorry for myself. I should have made real di
I’m just reaching for a smoothie when a familiar voice comes across the gentle buzz of customers.
“Pete. Hey, buddy. How’s it going?”
Sadie and I lock eyes in startled recognition.
Ed?
Instinctively I shrink back, trying to hide behind a rack of healthy crisps. My eyes scan the queues of people and land on an expensive overcoat. There he is. Buying a sandwich and talking on the phone. These are his so-called di
“He didn’t have plans at all!” I mutter. “He lied!”
“So did you.”
“Yes, but…” I feel slightly outraged by this. I’m not sure why.
“That’s good. How’s Mom?” Ed’s voice is unmistakable over the hubbub.
I surreptitiously look around, trying to plan an escape route. But there are massive mirrors everywhere in this shop. He’s bound to spot me. I’ll have to sit it out here until he’s gone.
“Tell her I read the letter from the lawyer. I don’t think they have a case. I’ll send her an email later on tonight.” He listens for a moment. “Pete, it’s no trouble; it’ll take five minutes max…” There’s another, longer silence. “I am having a good time. It’s great. It’s…” He sighs, and when he speaks again he sounds a little weary. “C’mon. It is what it is. You know that. I had a weird evening.”
My hand tightens around my smoothie in anticipation. Is he going to talk about me?
“I just wasted too much of my life with the most obnoxious woman in the world.”
I can’t help feeling a pang of hurt. I wasn’t obnoxious! OK, so I’m dressed a bit differently-
“You may have met her. Genevieve Bailey? DFT?… No, it wasn’t a date. I was with-” He hesitates. “It was a strange situation.”
I’m so engrossed in trying to blend into the healthy-crisp stand, I’ve stopped watching Ed. But all of a sudden I’m aware that he’s made his purchase and is striding out of Pret, holding a takeaway bag. He’s heading past me. Right past me, feet away… please don’t look…
Shit.
As though he can hear my thoughts, he glances over to the right-and meets my eyes. He registers surprise but no embarrassment.
“Later, buddy,” he says, and slides his phone shut. “Hi there.”
“Oh. Hi!” I try to sound casually nonchalant, as though it was always the plan to be found lurking in Pret, clutching a wrap and a smoothie. “Fancy… um… seeing you here. My di
Somehow I force myself to stop babbling. Why should I be embarrassed, anyway? Why isn’t he embarrassed? He’s been caught out as much as I have.
“So, I thought you had di
He doesn’t even flicker. “This was my plan. Buy some food and get some work done. I have to fly to Amsterdam first thing tomorrow for a conference. I’m giving a paper.”
“Oh,” I say, thrown.
His face is dead straight. I have a feeling he’s telling the truth. Damn.
“Right,” I say. “Well…”
There’s an awkward pause, then Ed nods politely. “Have a good evening.” He strides out of the Pret A Manger, and I watch him go, feeling wrong-footed.
Josh would never wrong-foot me. I knew I didn’t like this guy.
“Big Issue?” A voice interrupts my thoughts.
“Oh.” I focus on the ski
“Cheers, love.” The man nods at my vintage outfit. “Nice dress.”
I hand over the money and take five magazines, then pick up my supper items and head to the checkout. I’m still trying to work out exactly the witty, snappy thing I should have said to Ed. I should have given a lighthearted laugh and said, “Next time you make di
No, I should have said, “Really, Ed, when you said di
“What’s the Big Issue?” Sadie’s voice breaks me out of my trance. I blink a few times, feeling suddenly a
“It’s a street magazine,” I explain. “The money goes to projects for the homeless. It’s a really good cause.”