Page 59 of Be More Capybara

NIGEL

‘Problem?’ Lucy asked as she walked in from the garden.

Nigel grimaced. She must have heard him swearing a few moments ago when he read the email from the council.

‘My padel court application has been rejected.’

‘On what grounds?’

‘Needing a bat survey.’

‘Talk to Mark. He had to do all that for the treehouse application.’

‘Good idea. I’ll do that.’

‘Is that all that’s wrong? I notice you haven’t been seeing as much of Helen as you normally do.’

‘I’m going cold turkey on that front.’

Lucy sat down at the table opposite him. ‘And why would you do that?’

‘I don’t make her happy.’

‘Mark doesn’t make me happy sometimes, but we muddle through. I still love him. What did you do to upset her?’

‘I didn’t do anything. She seems to enjoy Adrian’s company more than mine, so I thought I’d leave them to it.’

‘To what?’

‘Isn’t it obvious?’

‘You think he fancies her?’

‘You only have to see them together. It’s obvious.’

‘But we all say that about you and Helen. Why don’t you tell her how you feel? She might surprise you in a good way.’

Nigel hesitated. ‘Because I did once, and it didn’t work out. I ended up going to America because I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing her with another man. I know it sounds pathetic, but I value her company, and I don’t want to screw up our friendship again.’

Lucy raised an eyebrow at him. ‘Did you just say you valued her company? The woman that you have actively been avoiding for nearly a week?’

‘I see where you’re going with this line of questioning.’

‘You’re an intelligent man. I should hope you do. Call her.’

When he was alone again, Nigel picked up his phone. But he wasn’t sure what to say. Perhaps he should try a different tack - one where she wouldn’t have to reject him to his face if she really was seeing Adrian.

45

HELEN

When Helen walked into her kitchen on Sunday morning, she was met with a lovely mix of aromas: flowers, fried bacon and toast. The bunch of yellow roses in a vase on the table was huge. Harry was standing next to the hob, looking after a frying pan full of food. The toast popped up just as she sat down.

‘You’re spoiling me!’

‘Would madame like tea or coffee?’ Callum asked.

‘I’m in the mood for tea this morning, please.’