Page 70 of Matilda’s Summer of New Beginnings

He grinned and took my chin in his hands, drawing us ever closer so we were almost nose to nose. ‘Tilds, remember those nonsense phone calls I used to make to the flat, when a text to Rosie would have done?’

‘Yes?’

‘You do realize I only rang because I wanted to hear your voice, don’t you?’

‘No.’

‘And all those times I just happened to be in town, or coming up to town?’

‘Yes?’

‘I had no need to be there. No need at all.’

‘Oh.’

‘But you were there. So I wanted to be there.’

‘Ah.’

‘And you know when I asked you to stay a couple of days and help at the Spatchcock?’

‘Yes.’

‘It was purely selfishness on my behalf. I’ve done it on my own before, and I’m sure I’ll do it again — but it was nicer to have you there. Right beside me.’

‘And when you stayed in the Spatchcock so I wouldn’t be on my own? Was that really Sam’s idea?’

‘I told Sam I was going to do it — do you honestly think he was in any fit state to think beyond what was going on with Cerys at that point in time? It was true, though, that he’d made a contingency plan in case he had guests. The contingency was basically he’d ask “some people” to help out, but he hadn’t had the chance to specify who those people were.’

‘Hmm. I’m glad you decided to be that person then.’

‘Me too. And — my birthday cake? The wishes I wanted to make? The great, big, massive wishes?’ He reached up and moved a strand of hair away from my face. My messy bun had become even more messy after my flight across the gardens of Padcock Court.

‘Yes . . . ?’ My heart was pounding madly, and I would not have been surprised had he heard it.

‘I was wishing for this. For you. And me. Here. Together.’

‘Okay.’ My voice was a squeak, but his eyes held mine and I couldn’t look away.

‘And the person I’d miss the most, if I’d taken that American job?’

‘Yes . . .’

‘Was you.’

‘Ah. Ummm — I would have missed you too. Dreadfully. Actually.’

‘Glad we’re on the same page,’ he said with a smile.

‘Yes. But can I just ask, if you thought all of that . . .’

‘Yes?’

‘When we were both single — for once in our lives — when Glen broke up with me, and Charlotte broke up with you . . .’

‘Hmmm?’

‘Why didn’t you say anything then?’