Page 12 of Be More Capybara

He managed to get upstairs and back to his bedroom without encountering anyone else. He shut the door and leaned back against it. Now he could be safely alone with his own thoughts.

Nigel lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He’d thought about Helen countless times while lying here over the years. He’d thought about her a few times while lying in bed in Manhattan too. Wondering what she was doing, whether she was ok and above all, whether she was happy. Well, now he knew she was ok, she’d done well in her career and she seemed happy, though given she was divorced, there must be some angst there. Who the hell would want to split up with Helen?

He was desperate to know more about what had happened. And she might be able to give him some tips on how to cope with a failed relationship. But did she want to see him again? She hadn’t sounded that enthusiastic when she left, but she’d been in a rush to pick up her son.

You’re overthinking this, Nigel. You were like soulmates once. She gave you her number. She wouldn’t have done that if she wasn’t keen to talk to you again. Stop prevaricating.

Nigel grabbed his phone and tapped out a message.

Great to see you. How are you fixed for a coffee at that new bookshop Mum mentioned?

He pressed Send before he could talk himself out of it. His heartbeat quickened as he stared at the screen, waiting for three dots to appear.

For God’s sake, Nige. You’re not a lovesick teenager.

He tossed the phone onto the bed beside him, closed his eyes and forced himself to think about the situation he’d left behind in New York.

‘Nigel!’

Nigel rolled over in bed. Why was his brother shouting at him? And how was Mark doing that when he was on the other side of the Atlantic?

There was a knocking sound followed by Mark’s voice again. ‘Lunch is ready.’

Nigel opened his eyes. The penny dropped. He was in Devon, and Mark was on the other side of his bedroom door.

‘Sorry, I nodded off. I’ll be down in five minutes,’ he shouted.

Nigel’s mouth felt dry. He’d obviously been snoring again. Madison had used that as an excuse to move him into the second bedroom at home last year. He should’ve realised that might be a sign that all was not well with their relationship. Interesting what you ignored when you didn’t want to see.

He got up and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. The view in the mirror was no better than when he got up earlier. If anything, he looked more tired. Amazing that Helen had recognised him at all earlier.

He stroked the stubble on his chin. He could do with a shave, but that would take too long - his mother would be sending out a search party if he didn’t put in an appearance in the dining room soon. Perhaps now was an opportunity to try growing a beard. Madison hated them, but she wasn’t going to care about that now. The hairs were coming through in his original chestnut colour, so it might make him look younger. What was Helen’s opinion on men’s facial hair? He couldn’t remember. Helen. Had she answered his text yet?

He swilled his mouth out with mouthwash and went back to his room. He found his phone partially hidden by the duvet. He took a deep breath and unlocked it. No sign of a reply. What did you expect?

He put on a fresh shirt. Looking more respectable now, Nige. Less likely to scare your new relatives.

Two minutes later, he was taking his place at the dining table. Nancy had put him between Julia and her daughter, Tamsin. A deliberate move, no doubt.

‘How are you feeling now, Nigel?’ Julia asked.

‘Still tired, but I’m sure the jet lag will wear off soon.’

‘Mum was saying you’d met an old friend this morning.’

‘Yes, Helen and I lost touch. We used to play tennis together when we were younger.’

‘I didn’t realise there were any tennis courts in Dashford.’

‘There aren’t any public ones. Well, there weren’t when I was last here, but we’ve got the one here at the bottom of the garden.’

‘Have we?’ Lucy asked.

‘It’s all very overgrown now,’ Nancy said. ‘No one used it after Nigel left.’

‘Really?’ Nigel said. ‘But you used to play with Dad?’

‘He wasn’t around enough then.’