Page 65 of It Was Always You

I’m widowed. My wonderful wife was killed by an idiot drunk driver two years ago and while I’m still trying to get over this, I also realise that I’m young and need to get on with my life. I’m worried I’m sounding a little morose so if I am, please, forgive me. I’m actually quite funny most of the time. Although my best friend, Lily, wouldn’t agree. She thinks my jokes are crap! Am I allowed to say crap in a first message? Oh well, it’s out there now! I don’t swear much normally. Okay that last sentence was a lie, I do swear but only usually when something shocks me! I’m sure I’ll swear a lot when I read this message back after I’ve clicked send. But I’m going to just keep typing and try not to think about it too much. Do I use too many exclamation marks? As an English teacher I maybe should address that! << That one was meant as a joke (smiley emoji)

I sense that, even without reading back, I’m rambling, so I’ll close now. It would be lovely to hear from you. I like your photo. You’re very pretty and have stunning eyes. I hope that’s not too creepy or forward.

Bye for now,

Adam

He hit send and then debated whether to read back what he had sent. Lily came over and sat on the sofa beside him.

‘What did you say then?’

He shook his head and let out a long huff of air that puffed out his cheeks. ‘Not a damn clue. I just typed. Oh shit, Lil.’ He rubbed his hands over his face. ‘I think I may have sworn and talked about masochism!’

She gasped. ‘Oh, Adders.’ She slapped her hand on her forehead. ‘Give it here. Let me read it.’ She made a grab for the laptop, but he gripped it tighter.

‘Piss off! No way, Lil. I’ve sent it now so it’s too late.’ A struggle ensued.

‘Adam! It’s my laptop!’

‘Yes, and I’m still logged in so let me log out and you can have it back!’

She pulled at the laptop again. ‘Adam! Give… me… it… now!’

He leaned back on the sofa and held the laptop above his head. She scrambled over his body and reached for it.

‘Lil… as much as we’re close, will you please get your boobs out of my face. I’m a man, after all.’

She gasped in horror and fell to the floor. Her cheeks were bright red. ‘For goodness’ sake, Adders.’ She crossed her arms over her chest while he howled with laughter at her embarrassment.

She pouted and remained cross-legged under where Adam lay on the sofa. He huffed again. ‘Oh, for Pete’s sake… here… read it… Tell me what an utter-bloody-moron I am… go on!’ He thrust the laptop in her face. She grabbed it, grinning widely, and opened the lid eagerly.

After what felt like an eternity, she closed the laptop lid and turned to him. She was biting her lip.

He couldn’t tell whether or not that was a good sign. ‘Well?’

A wide smile took over her face. ‘I think you were, completely and utterly, 100 per cent Adam Armstrong. If she doesn’t adore you from that, then she’s a lesbian… or head over heels in love with someone else.’ She patted his leg and stood.

A sense of relief washed over him, and he breathed out of the O formed by his mouth. Thank goodness for that.

He followed Lily into the kitchen. ‘So, what do I do now?’

She shrugged. ‘You wait. In the meantime, maybe you look at a few more profiles? You know, just in case.’

He pulled his face into a frown. ‘But… but I only liked the sound of her. I didn’t fancy any of the others.’ He sounded like a sulking child.

‘Adam, unfortunately it’s out of your hands now, but I’m sure she’ll message back.’

Adam went home to finish off some marking and get ready for the first day back at school the next day. Lily’s words had really given him a boost. She really was the best. He wondered what would come of his message. Would Arabella reply? Would it be right away? Who knew? He logged onto his account on the off-chance, and his breath caught in his throat. Shit! A reply! Already! Now this can either be a really good thing or a really bad thing… shiiit! Nervously he clicked on ‘read’.

Dear Adam,

Thank you for your lovely message. It really made me chuckle. I think your friend, Lily, is wrong. You sound like a complete hoot. The thing is, my best friend, Skye, who is a sweet person but doesn’t know when to stop interfering, set me up on the dating site quite a while ago and I never really got anything from it. She did it without my permission, and I was so annoyed when I found out. Anyway, when nothing really came of it, I put it to the back of my mind. Getting your message came as quite a surprise. A nice one, though!

I’m so sorry to hear about your wife. I can’t imagine the pain you must have experienced, and still be experiencing, and I really do hope that time heals your wounds. You sound like such a lovely man.

I’m sorry to have to tell you this… as you do seem really lovely… but I’m no longer single and therefore I’m no longer looking for the love of my life. I’ve found him.

All I can say, Adam, is that I met Harris at the strangest time and in the strangest circumstances, and I know that this will happen to you too. Love will find you again when you least expect it. I honestly think you should stop looking and let it happen. You sound like the kind of person who is funny, warm, and kind, with a good heart. And yes, I got all of that from one message. So, some girl somewhere will get that from one meeting, Adam. I really believe that.