Page 119 of So, I Met This Guy . . .

‘No, it’s not that.’

‘I should’ve left, should’ve come back to make sure you were OK.’

‘Flick, it’s fine, I’m a grown-up. You needed to let your hair down and be with your friends. You’ve been through a lot recently.’

‘So why are you leaving? Is it because of what happened in Mallorca?’

‘Well, that’s part of it.’

‘Because, I’ve been thinking, you could always call the hotel.’

‘S’cuse me?’

‘To speak to Juan! He works on the front desk, remember?’ encouraged Flick. ‘I can’t believe I didn’t think of that at the time.’

‘No, you’ve got it all wrong, I don’t want to speak to Juan.’

‘Fair enough, I suppose holiday romances never work in real life, do they?’

‘Flick, please –’ Maggie felt a beat of frustration – ‘if you’d just let me explain. I don’t want to do this any more, I’ve changed my mind, I’m done—’ She broke off as there was a sudden stirring movement underneath the duvet. ‘Wait. Is someone there?’

Abruptly, a tousled blonde head appeared followed by several naked limbs. ‘What’s that about holiday romances?’

‘Flea?’

‘Oh, hi, Maggie.’ She yawned, and gave a sleepy wave.

It took a moment to realize what was going on.

‘Sorry, I didn’t know you had company, I should go . . .’ Maggie suddenly felt embarrassed.

‘I can explain . . .’ And now Flick was looking embarrassed.

‘You don’t need to explain anything, honestly, I’m leaving anyway.’

‘Wait, let me put some clothes on.’

But Maggie was already walking away.

‘Please don’t go home!’

A few moments later she turned to see Flick running after her in her bare feet through the orchard. ‘I’m sorry about last night, about what happened in Palma, being mugged and your eye and your phone and everything . . . I’m sorry we haven’t found him already, I know it’s been a bit of a wild goose chase and it’s taken a lot longer than I thought, but please don’t give up—’

‘I found Him.’

Silence. The impact of her words taking a moment to register. And then.

‘What?’

‘He texted me, I went to meet Him at a cafe.’

‘You met him?’ Flick stared at Maggie, dumbfounded.

‘Well, no, that’s the thing, I didn’t.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘That was the night in Palma when I got my bag stolen. That’s why I was in that part of town, to meet Him . . . except I never did.’