Page 74 of The Only Way Is Up

Christian gave a short laugh, followed by another wince of pain. ‘The famous headmaster. I should have guessed.’

‘What’s your plan?’ asked Tom, steering the conversation back to Christian.

Christian shrugged. ‘Well, I fucked up Plan A, and currently don’t have a Plan B.’ He gave Tom a weak smile. ‘This is going to be all over the press, isn’t it?’

Tom nodded. ‘I think there’s a good chance. People were definitely videoing and taking photos. You should speak to . . . whoever you speak to when stuff like this happens.’

‘Benny,’ winced Christian. ‘My manager. He’s going to lose his shit. When can I get a train back to London?’

Tom looked at his watch, surprised to see it was gone eleven. Earlier he’d had visions of continuing the pub fondling with some WhatsApp sexting, or at least some quality time with his own thoughts. Fat chance of that now.

‘On a Sunday?’ he said. ‘Not until after nine.’

‘Can I get an Uber?’

Tom gave Christian a withering look. ‘You can crash in my spare room if you like. I’ll drive you to the station in the morning.’

Christian gave him a penetrating stare, only able to narrow one eye because the other one was already swollen and rapidly turning purple. Tom hoped he had some sunglasses in that holdall.

‘Why would you do that?’ asked Christian. ‘What do you care?’

Tom leaned forward and gently repositioned the bag of peas. ‘I don’t care about you at all,’ he said lightly. ‘But if I watch you leave, I can reassure Daisy that you’ve definitely gone.’

By the time Tom messaged Daisy it was after midnight, so he didn’t really expect to get a reply. But he wanted her to have something positive to read when she woke up.

Just wanted to let you know that Christian’s at my house. He’s fine, I’m putting him on a train to London tomorrow at 9. Don’t leave your house before then.

Tom’s breath quickened as he saw that Daisy had read the message, then the three dots that showed she was writing a reply. It seemed to take forever.

Thank you. You are amazing. Will message you tomorrow once Ruby’s gone back to school. Simon’s going to take her.

Tom stared at the message for a few seconds, the words spreading through his limbs like a hot bath on a frosty day. He smiled at his phone, wishing Daisy was here so he could say what he felt in person. Sometimes it paid to play it cool, but other times you just had to open your heart.

Happy birthday. I like you very much x

It’s been a memorable one, for lots of reasons. I like you very much too x

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Daisy kept her usual scheduled call with Katie on Monday morning, despite having spoken to her at least five times since Saturday night. She sipped her tea under her usual blanket on the sofa as her manager gave her the rundown of what was currently happening.

‘My phone is still ringing off the hook,’ Katie complained, ‘mostly hacks trying to piece all the rumours together. I’ll be amazed if they’ve left your village yet, so stay indoors.’

‘They’re still here. Fortunately, they’re not allowed on school grounds. Tom’s secretary is chasing them off on her mobility scooter.’

‘What about the tennis coach?’ asked Katie. ‘Where’s he?’

‘No idea. His girlfriend lives in Cirencester so I guess he’s hiding out at her house.’

‘Lucky girlfriend,’ Katie chuckled. ‘I’ve done some digging and it seems like he and Christian did know each other from playing tennis when they were kids, I’ll see if I can find out the details. But in the meantime, the press consensus seems to be that you’ve dumped Christian for the local tennis pro and they had a street brawl over you. Like Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in Bridget Jones.’

Daisy sighed. ‘It’s a non-story. I’ve played tennis with Marcus half a dozen times, mostly with other people. That fight had nothing to do with me.’

‘I believe you, though thousands won’t. Any news from Christian?’

‘Nothing after his message yesterday.’ Christian had sent Daisy a WhatsApp apologising for gatecrashing her party, presumably while he was on the train back to London. Daisy had replied curtly, informing him that Katie was putting a statement out saying they had split amicably and hoped to remain friends. Christian’s response was, ‘OK, I’ll let Benny know,’ and she hadn’t heard from him since.

‘So that’s that,’ Katie concluded. ‘Congratulations! You’re officially a single woman.’