Oh.
‘And do you feel that you have to dumb down your conversation with me because of that?’
‘What?’ He jolted his head back, his brows knitting together. ‘No, of course not! Where the hell is all this coming from?’
‘It doesn’t matter. I just wanted to know. I have to go. I’ll miss my train.’
Charlie caught my wrist. ‘There’ll be another train. And it does matter. What’s going on? This isn’t like you, Libs. You are who you are and you’re happy with that. Which is good, because you should be. I love that you’re a bit dreamy. It’s all part of who you are, and I really like who you are. I’m going to miss you like you crazy when I go to New York, which is why telling you was such a bloody problem.’
‘Well, I guess I know now.’
Charlie let his shoulders go slack. ‘I guess you do.’
‘When do you leave?’
I saw his glance flick to the paving slabs. ‘In a month’s time.’
My temper flared up. Again. I couldn’t help it. Blame my genes. ‘Seriously? So, when exactly were you going to tell me? What were you planning to do? Drop a note from the plane? “By the way, Libs, I’m moving to the Big Apple with Miss Spanky Pants. Have a nice life!”’
‘You’re being dramatic.’
‘I don’t care! I’m entitled to be dramatic. It’s part of my “dreamy” personality.’
Charlie scratched the back of his head.
‘Libby—’
‘I’m assuming Alex and everyone knows.’
He blew out a sigh. ‘Yes.’
‘And Marcus, and Amy?’
Charlie nodded.
‘I can’t believe Amy didn’t tell me!’
‘I asked her not to. But she said if I didn’t tell you this week, she was going to.’
‘I see.’
‘Don’t be angry at her.’
‘Oh, don’t worry, I’m not. I’m angry at you.’
‘Great.’ He did the head scratch again and then ran his hands through his hair, mussing it up completely. ‘I don’t know what you want me to say, Libs. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. And I’m sorry you had to find out like this, but what’s done is done. I can’t change it.’
I felt the fight go out of me. ‘No. I know.’
Charlie sensed a break in the battle and took a tentative step towards me.
‘Please don’t cry. I can’t bear seeing you upset.’
I swiped at my nose with a tissue from my bag. I was pretty much resigned to the fact that my make-up was now way beyond help. All I needed now was to run into the cosmetics company executives in my current state and my day would be perfect.
‘Is it forever – this move?’
‘No. Maybe a year, depending on how things go.’
