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‘That’s not right,’ I say. ‘You never asked for my number.’
‘Yes, I did. I gave Suzy my number when I met her again and asked her to pass it on to you. I didn’t like to ask her for your number directly. It might have put her in a difficult position. Besides, it wouldn’t have been fair to you. But I hoped very much that you might make some sort of contact between then and now.’
He sees my stunned face and adds quickly, ‘I realise there was absolutely no reason for you to do so. But I still hoped that by some miracle you would. I must have checked my phone fifty times a day over the past few months.’
‘But I didn’t have your number,’ I insist. ‘Suzy never mentioned it to me. I suppose she must have forgotten.’
‘Maybe, but I know she still has it because she’s texted me a few times.’
I feel a spurt of anger, which I quickly suppress. It isn’t Suzy’s fault. She probably forgot.
‘Maybe you didn’t make it clear that you wanted me to have it,’ I say at last.
‘I don’t see how I could have made it any more clear,’ he says. ‘She must have known that I was interested in you.’
‘What did she text you about?’ I ask in as neutral tone as I can manage.
‘This and that,’ he says casually. ‘She suggested visiting me one weekend, but I had a work thing, so it wasn’t convenient.’
I swallow hard. ‘Would you have said yes otherwise?’
‘It’s a free country,’ he says. ‘At least, for now.’
Which wasn’t quite what I asked. But I don’t want to press the subject.
‘If she’d remembered to give me you my number, would you have texted me?’ he asks.
I’m not sure how to answer. I’m still smarting over his casual revelation that he and Suzy have been in contact for months without me knowing anything about it. Suzy didn’t mention it when we met at the cafe. Hopefully, that was because it was too unimportant for her to remember. But if she was planning to go and visit him, she must have liked him.
‘We’re getting off at the next stop,’ I say. ‘Can you press the button?’
He gives me an odd look but does so. ‘Are you ok?’
‘I’m fine.’ I look at his feet. ‘I’m glad you wore thick boots. You’re going to need them.’
‘And to think I nearly wore my flippers,’ he says.
The bus pulls away, and Alex looks around him. ‘Where are we?’
‘You haven’t been here before?’ I ask.
‘I don’t think so, although everything looks different in the snow. I was only here for a week in the summer. I haven’t had time to explore the area yet.’
‘That’s what I thought. I hope you’re ok with walking?’
‘I’m familiar with the general concept,’ he says. ‘I have been since my first birthday.’
I pick up my backpack and lead him across the lane towards the base of a small hill. ‘How about climbing?’
‘We aren’t going up there?’ he says.
‘Why not?’
‘The other way of putting that iswhy?’ he says, following me.
‘You know what Mallory said about Everest?’
He groans. ‘Because it’s there? I’ve always thought that was a ridiculous answer. It’s a combination of snarky self-satisfaction and completely evading the question.’
