Page 40 of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

George

‘Twice in one week, Mrs. Lundy. People will start to get an idea about us,’ I say as I spot her in the corridor again.

‘And why would I complain about people thinking someone as old as time itself might be teaching a handsome young man a thing or two?’ She laughs up at me, eye-twinkle at full-flatter sparkle.

I feel my face stretch into what seems like the first smile in days. ‘You just getting back from a hot date?’ I ask.

‘It should be me asking you that, except for the glaring fact that I can tell, very sadly I might add, that you have come straight from work.’

‘Really? What makes you say that?’

‘You look serious.’

‘My work is serious.’

‘Pensive,’ she adds.

Well, who wouldn’t be pensive on the eve of delivering a pitch that deep down they weren’t fully sold on? To be fair Anya’s big idea at least has teeth compared to what I and my team had come up with. And yet if I’m being honest, aren’t I still holding out hope I can come up with something better? When I’m not worrying about why I can’t come up with anything, that is.

‘You also look tired and wan.’

Tired and wan?

As in ill?

I squeeze my eyes shut but can still hear my mother’s panicked, ‘You look really pale, George. I think we’d better take you back to the hospital, darling. We’ll go right now. Don’t panic. Stay very calm. Just breathe. In and out while I call the ambulance. In and out. In and out…’ With a shudder, I put the memory back where it belongs, in a box marked ‘George’s Past’ and smile down at my neighbour.

‘Knife to the heart, Mrs. Lundy,’ I tease.

‘Hildy,’ she insists. ‘And if you tell me a date with Anya has you looking like that, I’ll be even more concerned.’

‘No, it’s work. Tricky campaign. But, speaking of Anya, I’m thinking of taking her away this weekend for a romantic break. We’ve both been working hard lately and we never got a chance to celebrate my promotion and?—’

‘Are you trying to convince me, or Anya?’

‘Neither,’ I say, determined to sound determined. ‘I’m doing it.’

‘Good because when it comes to romantic breaks, “There is no try – only do”,’ she says with a spookily accurate Yoda impression.

‘So, do we think The Hamptons? I mean, there’s enough to do there, right? Long walks on the beaches. Antiquing. Quaint little places to eat.’ I can’t actually believe I’m asking little old ladies for advice on romantic destinations but needs must.

‘What are you, my age? I swear … young people today … if there’s an opportunity to overthink or over-complicate… A romantic break is not about finding the perfect destination or activity vacay … the only destination should be each other … the only activity should be each other. Whisk her away anywhere where you get no reception on your devices and can spend some quality time together. Reconnect. Romantically. Do I have to spell it out?’

‘You paint a pretty picture, Mrs. Lundy.’ I grin at her. ‘So, The Hamptons is a good idea, or no?’

She rolls her eyes but chuckles and adds, ‘Hades is a good idea, if it’s with the right person, George.’

‘Copy that.’

She lays a hand on my arm and gently squeezes and I have the awful idea she feels sorry for me. ‘You really do look like you could do with a break. So, don’t overthink, don’t get hung up on perfecting the details and somehow end up talking yourself out of it, okay? And don’t let Anya talk you out of it, either.’

‘Book it. Pack for it. Turn up at her place and whisk her away?’

‘By George, I think you’ve got it.’ She laughs and as she puts her hand into one of her large kaftan pockets to get her keys out she frowns as instead of her keys she withdraws a plastic dinosaur. ‘Oops. I forgot I “saved” one of Davey’s dinosaurs from being adopted by his sister’s Barbie.’

‘Your hot date was next door?’ I point to Apartment 33B, where five-year-old Davey lives with his seven-year-old sister, Abigail, and their mother, Julia. I know their ages because my brother’s two kids are the same.

‘Had myself a spell of babysitting until Julia got home from a job interview. I don’t suppose you could return it for me? It took twenty minutes to say goodbye to Davey and if I turn up again it’ll only confuse him.’

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