Page 127 of So, I Met This Guy . . .

‘But isn’t the best revenge to move on and live your best life?’ Maggie turned to George, her face lit up. ‘And this evening is a pretty good start, thanks to you.’

‘Don’t you want answers?’

‘I don’t think I’ll get any. Flick’s mum never did.’

‘So why did he want to meet you?’

‘Who knows.’ She shrugged. ‘Flick wonders if maybe he caught sight of me somewhere and suspected I was looking for him, that it was his way of trying to get ahead of the game somehow . . . I dunno, I don’t think I’ll ever understand his motives. And I’ve finally realized I don’t need to try and see inside his head.’

‘But what about all the money?’

‘He’s probably spent it, or gambled it away, or God knows. All I want is Dad’s watch back. Saying that, the last time I thought that – boom, I was knocked unconscious and had my bag stolen, so maybe it’s a sign I should go home. Try to forget all about it. Focus on the future and getting a job and finding a place to live.’

‘You know, you can always come and stay with me. I’ve got a sofa bed, or I could clean out my artist’s studio in the garden – you could sleep in there.’

‘Thanks, George, that’s kind of you, but I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.’

‘I feel like it’s my fault.’

‘Huh?’ Maggie frowned.

‘Stirring everything up again. Telling you to call the reporter back, to come on this trip, saying you’ve got nothing to lose.’

‘Don’t be silly, you were right to stir everything up! I haven’t been living these past six months; I’ve just been existing. This trip hasn’t been a waste of time – it brought me back to life, George. I’m not scared any more. I’m done beating myself up, blaming myself for being such an idiot, feeling like my life was over. I thought I’d lost everything. I know I lost myself for a while, and it took coming here to find myself again.’

She stopped walking and turned to him, her eyes flashing.

‘You know, there were times when I didn’t think I could survive what had happened. It was impossible to imagine getting over it. I thought I was going to be broken for ever. That my life was ruined and I was never going to laugh or feel happy again. But I was wrong. It’s true what they say: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’

‘And now we’re talking in fridge magnets.’

She punched him again.

‘Ow, I’m like a peach! I’m going to be covered in bruises!’

‘You deserve it, I’m pouring my heart out and you’re making fun.’

‘I’m sorry. You’re right, I’m being a dick.’ He was immediately contrite. ‘You know me – emotional vulnerability makes me deeply uncomfortable, whether it’s mine or anyone else’s; I have to make a joke or have a drink or deflect it somehow, which is most likely the reason I’m still single.’ George broke off, his face unusually serious. ‘But I am listening, and I am very proud of you.’

‘Thank you.’

Maggie smiled gratefully as she gave his hand a squeeze.

‘But I think you’re making the wrong decision going home.’

She looked at him, surprised.

‘You know I’m adopted, right?’ he continued.

‘Yes, of course.’ Maggie wondered where this was going.

‘And I love my parents, they’re my mum and dad and always will be, but it didn’t stop me wanting to know where I’d come from, to meet my birth parents. It’s just part of who you are, it’s part of your identity. Luckily Mum and Dad were always really supportive and they helped me track down my birth mum, and we’ve got a relationship, but I never got to meet my birth father as he’d already died. He was much older and married to someone else, not a good sort by all accounts, but still, you always wonder.’

George paused.

‘What I’m saying is, Flick should get to meet her dad. It’s important she knows who he is, like finding the missing piece of the puzzle.’

‘Is that wise? He’s not a good guy.’