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‘Everything’s such a mess. I want to do my job, come home, cook and just be normal.’ Her eyes start to pool with tears. I want to hold her and tell her I am here for her, but I am aware that I am also part of the mess. Although, I can’t help hoping that her idea of normal is being here with me.
‘I might be able to help with that. Can we talk about Sunday?’
‘Caleb, what Jasper said to you was shameful and offensive; and I’m sorry. I put you in a situation that you didn’t deserve to be in.’
‘I actually wanted to talk to you about Dash being here when you came back.’
‘Nothing to explain. I overreacted. I knew what I was getting myself into.’ That infuriating tight smile returns.
‘Ariella, stop it. I messed up – okay? Nothing happened. I’ve known her for years and she came round for food because the pub stopped serving. She made a pass and I stupidly didn’t say no, but I stopped it before I did something I really regretted. When you came in, I felt sick to my stomach.’
‘I’m no better, I kissed Jasper on Sunday. I couldn’t help it. Maybe we both let ourselves down.’
She shrugs like it is no big deal, but I know that’s total bollocks. I play along.
‘So, are you and Jasper going to try again?’
‘No. Not now anyway. We’re working on being friends and this time, no judgement or strings attached.’
‘But he wants you back.’
‘Yes. I want him back too, and think I always will. But I’m also aware that we may never make it back.’
‘Where does that leave us?’
‘Caleb, we’re friends.’
‘We took it somewhere else this weekend, though.’
‘Yes. It was fun and I don’t have any regrets. I also completely understand that it has run its course.’
‘Has it?’
‘Caleb, come on. Your friend on Sunday may have been a mistake, but you’re going to be out there again soon and I can’t go on your list. I live here. I’ll have front-row seats to your shenanigans.’
‘That’s not—’
‘Caleb, I’m sorry, I need to shower and do my teeth. I feel, to put it bluntly, foul.’
She runs away to hide in her shower. I let her. I know this has all been a little much. She went from zero to a five-person emotional pile-up in two days. She needs time to sort through it.
While she’s in there my phone pings. It’s Nicole.
How’s the food poisoning? Lol.
You could have killed her.
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
My phone starts to ring. Nicole. I switch it to silent and return to work.
‘My head hurts.’ Ariella emerges in a full grandpa-pyjamas set I haven’t seen before. I’ve only ever seen her in the bottoms with a vest. She clearly feels she needs the baggy button-down top to ensure she doesn’t give me any ideas. I inspect her carefully as she hops on the island top to eat her grapefruit. It’s the exact spot where we…She catches me looking and climbs down. She just had the same thought.
I grab some painkillers from the drawer, throw them at her, fill a glass with water and make her drink it. I stand opposite, in silence.
‘Why are you being weird?’ I ask straight out. I am going for it.
‘Weird?’
