“I hope you’ve brought me here to make love to me on these glass surfaces,” Forrest says.
“Oh my God, no!” I laugh, and so does he.
“I’ve got two things to tell you. They are both quite important, big and difficult-to-get-your-head-around things, but if you and I are going to try and make this into something long-term, then I have to tell you everything.”
Forrest nods.
“You don’t want to come back to the States with me,” he says.
“How do you know?” I ask.
“Because I am starting to know you, Ava. I realised kind of late that I was going too fast for you by asking you to come back with us. Too fast for me and Artie too. But especially for you. You’ve done a lot in the last few weeks; you’ll need time to rest and recoup. Be around the people and places that you know and feel comfortable with.”
“Thank you for understanding and not breaking up with me.”
“It’s been a while, but I don’t think that’s how healthy relationships work,” Forrest says.
“You realise that you are one of those people, right?” I tell him, laying my hand gently on his chest. “I’m not saying never. I’m just saying not right away. Because I want to give us the best possible chance.”
“I do too,” Forrest says. “So I had a chat with Artie and we came up with a plan.”
“Is it to invade in a series of longboats?” I ask.
“You’re surprisingly close. I spent this morning talking to the local education board and a couple of universities. Now, it’s not a done deal yet, but they’re very interested in me and Artie staying on for six months and teaching my program to local educators. Now don’t panic. I’ll be busy. I won’t be in your hair all the time. Me and Artie will find somewhere nice to rent, and she can try out English school for a bit. But, if I give you plenty of space, and come by and see you now and then, would it be okay with you if we stick around for a while?”
“I don’t want space from you or Artie,” I tell him, flinging my arms around him. “I just don’t want to have to understand new currency and why there are so many ads on TV. See also crisps. Crisps are crisps. They are not chips, chips are chips. It’s just wrong.”
“Got it,” Forrest says. We hold one another for a long happy moment.
“Am I asking too much of you now?” I say, worried. “Turning yours and Artie’s life upside down for me?”
“You didn’t ask, I offered, and it was Artie who came up with the plan. She’s says the UK’s got the best treasure to plunder. Itwill be a wonderful adventure, Ava. For all of us. And even better, sometimes it will just be a normal day, where I get to be with you and Artie, just doing normal stuff.”
“Sounds flipping great,” I tell him.
“You said there was a second thing?” Forrest asks.
“Yes, Hal.” I still haven’t quite worked out who to tell about Hal, but I also know I can’t keep something so huge from him.
“Do you still have feelings for Hal?” Forrest asks, bracing himself.
“Not romantic feelings,” I reassure him. “But I think you should know I knew Hal long before we met here. Years before, actually. I just didn’t know that I knew him until he explained who he was.”
“What are you talking about?” Forrest asks.
“It’s a long story,” I begin. “And we’ve only got ten minutes, so brace yourself.”
Chapter Fifty-Three
It’s very strange sitting between Forrest and the empty chair where Hal should be as LordB gives his opening address to the audience. I told Forrest as quickly and directly as I could all about Hal. As he listened, I could see his mind whirring, his mouth open in disbelief.
“Um, so he’s going to withdraw from the prize, but I don’t want him to stop being him. Because even though the world would probably go E.T. on his arse if they ever found out, he is maybe the best example of what being human can be like that I have ever met,” I’d said.
“Right, come on, you two,” LadyB said, sticking her head round the door. “No time for canoodling. We’ve got to get this ceremony over and done with before Artie eats all the canapés.”
Forrest was speechless then, and he’s speechless now. I keep glancing at him to try and get a read of what he’s thinking, but his expression hasn’t changed for fifteen minutes. Maybe I broke Forrest. Maybe I broke Forrest’s head. I wonder if everything else works okay.
“Now, before we get on with announcing the winner,” Lord Bsays, “one of our finalists came to me last night with a request. It was not one I was minded to give, initially. But after hearing them out, and listening to their thoughtful and reasoned explanation, I relented, on one condition. And that was that he came and told you all himself why he has decided to withdraw from the competition at this late stage.”
