The thing Yan said last night in the hospital car park – was he right? Does Mark have feelings for me?
Most likely, it was one of those stock jokes we all reach for unthinkingly:
‘I’m an idiot.’
‘No argument there.’
Ha ha.
I’m not sure the theory stands up to close inspection.
Stop over analysing, and just breathe.
I make my way back to the living room where Theo and Mark are waiting.
Mark hits go on the music then comes into the middle of the room with me, just before we start, though we’re interrupted by a ringtone.
‘Shit,’ hisses Theo, gaping at his phone. ‘It’s Tig, on FaceTime. I don’t know what to do.’
‘Let it time out,’ says Mark.
‘Right, right.’
We wait, frozen, till the ringing stops. A few seconds later Mark’s phone starts.
‘If that’s a normal voice call, maybe you should answer to make sure everything’s okay,’ says Theo.
‘Where does she think you are?’
‘In the Duke of Kent with you.’
Mark nods, then accepts the call.
He goes downstairs and opens the front door while he talks to Tig.
Theo checks his watch. ‘It’s almost eight. I’m going to have to leave soon.’
‘Do you want to do a last run-through? We’ll keep the music low so Tig won’t hear it through the open window.’
Theo does better without an audience. Mark’s absence helps me relax, too.
It’s only when we finish that I notice Mark is leaning against the doorway, watching us.
‘That was very good,’ he says, although the expression on his face doesn’t match his positive words.
‘Thanks, mate,’ says Theo, grinning.
‘She’s expecting you home in ten minutes.’
Theo’s smile falters. ‘Oh, right. I’d better get a move-on, then.’
Mark sees Theo out and I sink onto the sofa, relieved that Theo’s gone and I’m no longer being filmed but somewhat nervous about being alone with Mark and the conversation I want to have with him.
‘Do you want some wine?’ asks Mark when he returns. ‘Keep me company while I cook?’
‘I drove, so just a small one.’
I follow him into the kitchen. He opens the fridge and takes out a parcel wrapped in waxed paper.
