Deciding to reply before giving herself too much time to think about it and no doubt end up changing her mind again, she replied.
Hi Callum, thanks for the invitation. I’d like to meet up for a drink sometime. Melody
She went to push her phone into her back pocket when it pinged. She turned it over to look at the screen and saw Callum had already replied.
Are you free tonight? C
She gasped. What the hell? Melody took a calming breath. She hadn’t expected to hear from him immediately.
‘What’s the matter?’
Melody shrieked, not realising someone else was in the room. She looked up and saw her grandmother standing near the doorway.
Patsy hurried towards her, resting her hand on Melody’s arm. ‘It’s not you-know-who, I hope?’
Hating that she had just given her grandmother a fright, Melody quickly shook her head. ‘No, Gran. Sorry. I was surprised when you spoke, that’s all. I was deep in thought.’
Patsy tapped on Melody’s phone screen. ‘If it’s not your ex, then who’s put you in this strange mood?’
Melody explained what had happened. ‘I’m not sure I should have agreed to go now.’
‘Why ever not?’ Patsy shrugged, clearly unsure why she was being so worried about the whole thing.
‘You know my situation. Is it wrong to act as if I don’t have a care in the world? As if I’m single?’ She felt her grandmother’s hands take hers and waited to hear what she had to say. ‘Go on.’
Patsy smiled. ‘I was just thinking that you should make the most of this time here, being free of all the nastiness you’ve had going on back home. It’s all harmless and there’s nothing wrong with going out for a drink with a handsome young chap.’
Melody thought of Zac and wished again that he had been the one to suggest a drink. She wouldn’t be feeling anxious or conflicted with Zac. She just liked his company. She shook her head. ‘You’re right. You think I should reply to him now then?’
Patsy let go of her hands. ‘Unless you’re waiting for another invitation.’
Melody knew her grandmother had picked up on her feelings for Zac. ‘No, Gran. I’m not,’ she said, aware Patsy wouldn’t be that easily dissuaded.
‘Come along. Let’s go down to the kitchen.’
Anyway, she mused, how could she expect to kid her grandmother when she knew she was only kidding herself?
‘Well?’ Patsy said, pointing at the screen once they reached the kitchen. ‘Are you going to reply to him?’
Not wishing to commit to going out with Callum just yet, Melody shook her head. ‘Not yet. I think I’d like a cup of tea and some toast first.’
Patsy arched an eyebrow. ‘Haven’t you eaten breakfast yet?’
Melody opened her mouth to answer when Zac walked into the kitchen, a troubled look on his face. He exchanged glances with Melody, then looked at Patsy.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.’
Unsure why he was acting oddly, Melody shook her head. ‘You’re not. Gran was just about to tell me off for not eating anything yet.’
She expected him to smile or at least relax a little, but his expression didn’t alter. What was wrong with him?
‘Um, I’ve just realised I’ve forgotten something in my bedroom,’ Patsy said.
‘Let me fetch it for you, Gran,’ Melody said, taking a step forward, stopping when her grandmother raised her hand.
‘No, I’ll do it.’ She looked pointedly from Melody to Zac, and Melody took a moment to realise she was trying to be discreet.
‘OK.’ Melody wasn’t sure if she was missing something. When Zac didn’t move or say anything, she turned to the kettle and lifted it to check there was enough water in it for several cups of tea. After topping it up under the tap, she then plugged it in and pressed the lever down. Clearly she was going to have to get the conversation with him started.
