5 hrs
Happy Christmas to all my friends and family
How was he? Was he sad? Had I ruined his Christmas? Feeling an overwhelming desire to connect with him I clicked onto his timeline and scrolled down it, building up a picture of the past week.
Skye Harris > Nick Derbyshire
22 December at 20:38
Are you OK? Tried phoning a few times & keep getting voicemail. Stuart says you seem down and your last post is very unlike you xx
Nick DerbyshireI’ll text you
Marcus Jones > Nick Derbyshire
22 December at 10:11
Thanks for finishing that job for us. Have a great Christmas break. We’ll catch up in the New Year
Nick Derbyshire
21 December at 23:46
I’ve had enough of this year. How long till the next one?
Skye HarrisCheer up you xx
Callie MichaelsYou OK big bruv? I’m only a phone call away if you need me xx
Nick Derbyshire
21 December at 01:33
Just had the most amazing evening ever
Callie MichaelsSpill!!!!
Skye HarrisThis wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain young florist, would it?
Nick DerbyshireMight have!
Skye HarrisYEEAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! You’re so perfect for each other. Fancy a coffee later to catch up?
Nick Derbyshire2 p.m. in The Chocolate Pot,Skye?Callie– will call you soon x
I scrolled up and down between the few short entries that toldsuch a story from elation to devastation. ‘Have I really caused all that? I’m so sorry Nick.’
With a heavy heart, I shut down my laptop and slowly padded upstairs to bed where I lay for the next two hours cuddling Mr Pink and staring into the darkness, trying to work out how I felt about the two men in my life. When fatigue finally overcame me, I still hadn’t reached a conclusion but I had realised one thing: I hadn’t replied to Nick’s text. It had come through while I was basting the turkey for Mum and I’d made a mental note to reply later when I had time to think of an appropriate message that didn’t come across as a brush-off. I wanted to show him I still cared.Yes, Sarah, you showed you really cared by forgetting to reply altogether. You absolute muppet.I hoped that my rudeness hadn’t caused him any further distress.
I reached for my phone and started but abandoned several replies. Nothing seemed right. I’d left it too late and I was too tired, drunk and confused to send something acceptable. I’d maybe try tomorrow instead.
31
‘Denbury Castle?’ I asked as Andy directed the sporty two-seater he’d hired off the York road at about six the following morning.
‘What makes you think that?’
‘Unless you’re planning to ditch me in a field in the middle of nowhere, Denbury Castle’s the only place of consequence down here.’
