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‘I know.’ It was on his vile client’s letter. ‘I’m Marnie.’ I study him, still slightly unsure. ‘You have the number of the hotel. Call me.’
Almost as soon as he’s gone, I’m starting to wonder if I’ve made a mistake. It’s Forrest’s inconsistency, the two conflicting sides of him – which right now, is hardly what I need in my life.
But unlike with Giles, this is a totally sober decision. I’ve never been one to play it safe and as I make a cup of tea, a sense of recklessness takes me over. Taking risks are what life’s about. OK, so there might be mistakes along the way – Mr Arsehole Lawyer might well prove to be one of them. But also, it’s just as possible he might not. And there’s only one way I’m going to find out.
The following afternoon, a wintery sun draws me outside. Pulling on a jacket, I walk towards the High Street.This time next week…With the blood tests behind me, I’ll be waiting for a call from the doctor. Feeling my stomach churn, I try to ignore the feeling in my gut that whatever’s going on, it isn’t good.
The feeling’s only heightened as I turn onto the High Street and a sensation of dizziness hits me. Pausing in a shop doorway, I wait for it to pass, giving myself a stern talking to.For frick’s sake, no more of this catastrophising. Have a caffeine hit and get the next few days out of the way. For all you know, this is nothing.
Carrying on to my favourite coffee shop, I force myself to think about something else, my thoughts turning to Forrest, wondering if he’ll call, half expecting the arsehole lawyer part of him to have made a reappearance. I guess I’ll find out.I hope I’ll find out.There’s something about him I’m curious about.
Going into the coffee shop, I order an Americano and peruse the homemade cakes, settling on a slice of a particularly indulgent-looking chocolate one, before taking them outside.
The cold is preferable to a crowded café and, crossing the road to the War Memorial, I sit on the bench. The cake box is decorated in sixties-style flowers, and opening it, I take a bite of cake. It’s exactly what I need – luscious and sinful, mood-enhancing.
Taking a second mouthful, I become aware of someone sitting next to me. Turning, I find myself looking at Forrest.
‘Hey.’ He looks slightly unsure. ‘OK if I join you?’
Taken by surprise, I don’t know what to say. ‘Um, sure.’
He looks slightly on edge as he sits there. ‘I was honestly going to call you. But then I realised I’d lost my phone.’
As excuses go, losing a phone’s a lame one. ‘Bummer,’ I say casually. ‘I hope you find it.’
‘So do I. I am totally lost without it.’ He glances at my cake. ‘Looks good.’
‘It is.’ I turn to him. This can hardly be a coincidence. ‘So what are you doing here?’
‘Well…’ He hesitates. ‘As I can’t call you, I was going back to the hotel in the hope I might find you there, but I noticed you walk out of the coffee shop. So I decided to come and talk to you. I thought it would save me the agony of you ignoring my calls – if I had a phone, that is.’ He second guesses me.
I arch one of my eyebrows. ‘You thought I was going to ignore you?’
‘I wouldn’t have been surprised if you’d changed your mind. I mean, first impressions and all that.’
‘First impressions weren’t great.’ I sip my coffee, still not sure if he’s really lost his phone. ‘But you apologised. And everyone deserves a second chance, wouldn’t you say?’
‘I deserved that,’ he says ruefully. ‘And I appreciate the second chance.’ He hesitates. ‘Look, if you’d rather be alone, I’ll go.’
I’m silent for a moment, weighing things up, not quite sure why in some small way this feels momentous. ‘You can stay if you like.’
‘Cool.’ A smile plays on his lips before he stares at my cake again.
I pass him the box. ‘Here.’ He looks as though he could do with a sugar hit.
‘Thanks.’ He takes the cake box. ‘So, what are you up to today?’
‘Not much.’ Still not sure what to make of him, I’m wary about giving too much away. ‘Finish my coffee. Maybe go for a walk.’ I roll my eyes. ‘That’s how exciting my life is, right now.’
‘Oh?’ He looks at me quizzically. ‘Don’t you like Arundel? I always thought it would be a really cool place to live. Look at the architecture.’ Looking up, he gazes towards the roof tops. ‘There’s so much history – and there always seems to be something going on here.’
‘It’s OK.’ I pause. ‘It just gets a little claustrophobic, if I’m honest with you. Castle walls and all that… I’m more an open space and wild beaches kind of girl.’
He looks bemused. ‘So why are you here?’
‘Good question. But a friend of mine needed help – she owns the hotel.’ I glance at him. ‘She’s far less forgiving than I am.’
His eyes meet mine. ‘I guess I got lucky, then?’
