‘First thing. I found a place to rent in Manchester.’
‘I’m feeling a sense of déjà vu here,’ I say, my stomach taking up permanent residence in my feet. ‘Bad timing.’
‘Horrible timing,’ he replies.
I stand to let Jean get her coat, my legs unsteady enough to make me grab the booth for support. I can’t believe he’s leaving again.
‘Shame you can’t join us, love,’ Jean says, ‘but it’s been sold out for weeks. You two could have had a proper catch-up.’
‘Not to worry,’ I reply. ‘We’re open ’til ten and then we’re stocktaking. Just have a lovely time and tell me all about it when you’re next in.’
Will stands as Jean makes her way outside. ‘It was great to see you, Nora,’ he says, coming in for a hug. ‘Really great.’
I move in and wrap my arms around him. It’s been almost a year, but nothing has changed. I breathe him in like oxygen.
‘Be happy, Will.’
‘You too, Nora.’
This time I don’t watch him leave.
CHAPTER39
‘Are you sure you’re up for this Nora?’ Victoria asks as she locks the front door. ‘I’m pretty sure I can handle it if you need to leave.’
While I might have spent the past three hours quietly blubbering, I feel that counting tins of coffee and toilet rolls might just be the distraction I need. Seeing Will was so unexpected, it almost doesn’t feel real.
‘I’m fine,’ I reply. ‘Was just a shock seeing him… all this time I’ve been serving his mum tea and cakes… it’s unreal.’
‘I must admit, I didn’t expect tiny Jean to produce such a towering specimen,’ Victoria adds. ‘What is he? Like six-foot-ninety?’
‘Not sure,’ I reply. ‘Six-two maybe? But I’d rather not—’
‘I mean, I know you told me he was fine, butdamn, Nora! Your infatuation makes a hell of a lot more sense now. I’d have challenged the wife to a duel.’
‘Great,’ I reply. ‘But can we not talk about—’
‘How delicious he is?’ she responds, smirking. ‘Because I think that’s a reasonable and necessary conversation to have.’
‘Nope. It’s not happening. I’m here to work.’
‘Fine,’ she says, with a sulk. ‘You’re no fun. I bet Will is fun—’
I ignore her and start on the first inventory checklist of the night. It’s not that I don’t want to talk about Will, it’s that I’m afraid if I start, I’ll never stop. I’ve come too far for that.
‘I must admit, I felt a bit sorry for Martin,’ she admits, checking off the contents of the freezer. ‘I doubt he’ll be asking Nora for a second date.’
‘Not into annoying Americans who keep getting his name wrong?’ I say, smirking. ‘And what the hell was that laugh you kept doing? Sounded like a snorting hyena.’
‘Not my finest moment,’ she says, ‘I was just trying to be as off-putting as possible. Shit, I’d better message Faith before he does.’
‘Thanks,’ I say. ‘For stepping in. You’re my hero.’
‘I am,’ she agrees, ‘and this hero needs music. Something to perk us up a little,oui?’
‘Definitely,’ I reply, ‘though can we skip the K-pop?’
‘Nope,’ she replies. ‘Those boys were put on earth to make us happy. Once you learn their names, and some dance moves, you’ll be much more invested. Trust me.’
