Page 112 of Brighter Together

Nobody speaks while he turns each page.

Lee’s eyes stay on me.

I concentrate on Tommy instead.

He asks about materials.

Planning restrictions.

Timelines.

Cost contingencies.

How they would phase the work around hotel guests.

The answers are competent.

Better than I expected.

Lee has clearly done his homework after I handed over the original concepts.

That should make me feel better.

It doesn’t.

Eventually Tommy closes the folder.

“Thank you. As I’ve said to the other firms, we won’t be making any decisions today. We’ll review everything once we’re back in Fellside and come back to you.”

Lee smiles. “Of course.”

I keep waiting for him to say something to me.

To ask me to stay.

To find an excuse.

But he doesn’t get the chance.

Tommy is already on his feet.

His hand settles firmly against my back as we leave.

I can feel Lee watching us all the way to the lift.

Even when the doors close, my shoulders remain tight.

Tommy looks at me.

I stare at the numbers above the door.

He doesn’t ask anything yet and I’m glad for the quiet.

Outside, dark clouds have rolled over Manchester.

I pull my coat tighter around myself.

We walk in silence towards the multistorey car park.