‘I honestly don’t know. I know I want to be with him but I can’t decide whether he’s moved on or not. We saw him with Blonde and you’ve seen them twice since, but then he sent me that lovely text. You wouldn’t send something like that if you were seeing someone else, would you?’ Something about Elise’s expression concerned me. ‘More bad news?’
‘I’ve seen them together again. Twice more.’
‘No!’
‘Sorry.’
‘When? Where?’
‘In her car at the lights near the theatre yesterday afternoon and I saw them on foot the night before but I can’t remember where.’
I hardly dared ask but I had to know. ‘Did they seem… together?’
‘Ooh. I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that. When I saw them on foot, he had his arm round her.’
‘I guess that’s that, then.’ I swallowed hard on the huge lump in my throat.
‘It could still have been innocent.’
‘You don’t really believe that, do you?’
Elise slowly shook her head. ‘I want to, though.’
‘Oh well, plenty more fish in the sea. Or plenty more Stevens on the-one.com.’
‘And you don’t really believe that, do you?’ said Elise.
I shook my head and sighed. ‘I really do think Nick was The Oneand I’ve let him slip away. He was obviously just being nice inhis text on Saturday and I’ve built it up to be something I want it to be. I guess I know why he didn’t reply to my text about Andy leaving. He doesn’t care.’
‘You know that’s not true,’ Elise said. ‘I know the evidence points towards Nick and Blonde being together, but we don’t know that for certain and, even if they are, it doesn’t mean it’s anything serious. He said he’d wait for you however long it takes, didn’t he?’
‘Words. Only words.’
Elise gave me a hug. ‘So what now?’
I sighed and shrugged. The only certainty I felt was that my search for Steven was over. For me, it had to be Nick or nobody. And terrifying as the thought was of being alone like Uncle Alan, I knew that I’d rather be alone than with the wrong person like Jason or Andy. And, as Auntie Kay had pointed out, I had family and great friends so I’d never truly be alone. I hoped.
36
?? From Auntie Kay
Not heard from you since you sent Andy packing. Are you and Nick back together yet? Really hope so. You’re made for each other xxx
?? From Elise
Hate to say it but just seen them together again. Don’t get down. Obviously not meant to be. It’s a new year tomorrow and that means new beginnings. Maybe a fresh start on the search for Steven? xx
‘You did the right thing, sweetheart.’ Mum put her arm around me the following day. ‘You gave him a chance and he showed his true colours.’
‘I know. At least I finally have closure. It only took eight years.’
‘Then why don’t you look a little more pleased? Is it Nick?’
I nodded. ‘I’ve lost him, Mum.’ I tried to blink back the tears but it was too late. Mum hugged me tightly and I sobbed on her shoulder, hoping no customers would appear.
‘I’d better get myself tidied up,’ I said when the tears finally subsided. ‘It’s quiet enough today without me scaring the customers off with my panda eyes. Shout if you need me.’
The bell tinkled a couple of times while I was in The Outback but Mum didn’t shout so it was clearly nothing too complex.
