Page 37 of The Happiness Project

‘Apparently, the compilers of the most recent Oxford English Dictionary have been adding all these new words like hashtag, but they were so preoccupied with that, they actually forgot to include the word gullible.’

‘Oh, ha-ha,’ I reply. ‘As if I’m going to fall for that one.’

‘Suit yourself.’

Patty heads up to bed. I fell for this trick when I was a teenager as I’ve always been easily taken in. However, despite knowing that it’s a joke I cannot resist the urge just to check, so as silently as possible I pull the dictionary off the bookshelf.

‘I can hear you,’ yells Patty, making me jump and drop the damn thing. ‘While you’re there look up the word nincompoop.’

Chapter Nineteen: Let Me Entertain You

Valentine’s Day is always a major day for bookings. Yes, there are those couples who are already in their romantic hideaways but there are others who get engaged or give each other travel vouchers or simply decide on the spur of the moment to celebrate their lovey-doveyness with a hotel, a sandy beach or a hot tub. And we’re here to make those dreams come true.

The weather is typical February, which also bodes well for bookings, so all in all, I’m looking forward to being distracted from the lack of any passionate entanglement. I’m not sure yet where things will go with David, although he has called to say he enjoyed Saturday, so today would be a good day for him to reveal his thinking.

I’m going into work early in preparation so arrive before the others, unlocking the door and pushing the mail across the mat as I open it. I pick it all up in one bundle and dump it on my desk before heading to make myself a cuppa. We still get post from suppliers who have probably worked out that it’s easy for us to miss their sales incentives if it comes by email. I also quite like reading through real mail and tidying my desk while having a coffee. It’s quite meditative.

Back at the desk with my hot drink, I flick through the bundle of mail and open a couple which seem to have interesting offers that might sell well today. There are a few targeted at the wedding and honeymoon markets, which are incredible nowadays. When I think back to the options I had getting married, it’s almost embarrassing: church or registry office with a three-course sit down and a disco. Of course, at the time, I was delighted with that and had a fabulous day. Patty was chief bridesmaid — refusing to be branded with either of the words ‘maid’ or ‘honour’ — but she made a speech and it predictably stole the show. I put the wedding offers in my top drawer, ready to pull them out and delight any couples looking for their own private barefoot beach ceremonies, and go back to the pile of mail.

I stop at a card-shaped envelope with my name on it. I can feel my heart pick up a beat and all of a sudden I’m sixteen again hoping that when I open this it’s from a secret admirer and someone somewhere has a crush on me. I tear it clumsily and can tell it’s a card. Ripping further at the envelope, I steady my heartbeat in readiness for it just being another sales promotion. Pulling the card out, it’s the one that I saw in Sarah’s café — with the gnome couple. I open it and the sender has written simply, Thinking of you x. I guess it’s from David and that he picked it up when he was visiting Sarah — perhaps she noticed me looking at it and told him. It’s a very cute card but again gives me no clues as to what he’s thinking. Is he always thinking of me in the moments we’re apart and therefore wants to spend more time with me? And why only one kiss? Perhaps there’ll be roses later and this is just a small gesture as he knew I’d be in early today. I tell myself that it’s non-committal because he didn’t want to embarrass me in front of my colleagues. He needn’t have worried about that.

‘Oh my word,’ exclaims Charlie as he bursts through the door a few minutes later. ‘You should see the glorious pressies Peter had delivered this morning. Exotic flowers, Belgian chocolates, champagne — I feel thoroughly spoiled. And we’re going for a couple’s massage too.’

‘Wow, he really pushed the boat out.’ I tuck my gnome card away in the bottom drawer. ‘And what did you get him?’

‘I’ve told him it’s a big surprise which I need to give him after work.’

‘So you’ve got the day to think of something.’

He nods nervously. ‘I adore that man. I could never imagine being without him and I need something that reflects how I feel.’

In an instant, I know what to do. Last year, Charlie was about to propose to Peter but got cold feet. I open the top drawer, take out a honeymoon brochure that has just arrived and walk over to his desk. I slide it over to him without saying a word and then head back. I look over to him when I’m seated and after he’s read it, his eyes light up and he smiles at me. He asks whether I can hold the fort for half an hour and when he returns he looks scared but gives me the thumbs-up.

* * *

The day passes as I knew it would, with record bookings and a shop full of happy couples. We’ve sent people to Paris, Rome, the Caribbean, Seychelles, Mauritius — every romantic destination you can think of. Their happiness is infectious and despite my own ambiguous start to the day, it rubs off and I’m in a wonderful mood as we close up for the evening. Before we’ve had the chance to lock the door, the little bell rings and I look up to see Sarah coming in.

‘I just wanted to let you know that I can’t make Patty’s gig tonight,’ she says. ‘Sorry, I didn’t want to call and it seems like a lame excuse but I’ve just been invited out.’

‘Wow,’ I say. ‘A last-minute Valentine?’

‘Possibly,’ she says coyly. ‘Did you get anything?’

I’m guessing she must know so I pull the card from the drawer and show it to her.

‘It’s from your café, I think. I’m guessing it’s from David.’

She looks at it and reads the greeting then hands it back to me saying, ‘Oh, yes — I think I saw him buying it.’

With that, Sarah tells me to wish Patty luck and says goodbye.

* * *

Patty, of course, doesn’t need luck. When I get home she’s on her way out, saying she’s meeting Sheila and Kath for a soundcheck. I still can’t get used to my friend having ‘soundchecks’. I cook some fresh pasta as it only takes minutes and then get dressed in jeans and a cropped leather jacket. I set to work with my wrinkle-blurring stick beneath the make-up then tousle my hair to try and look young and carefree. Standing back from the mirror, I check out my handiwork and decide I’ve done a pretty good job. Then again, I often think this only to have my hopes dashed when I stand next to an actual young person. Maybe that’s the key to a youthful appearance — only ever stand next to people older than you.

That shouldn’t be a problem tonight as I doubt the twenty-year-olds of Chorlton will be queuing to get into the rugby club to watch the Granny-Okies on Valentine’s night. The club tends to have an older clientele and I’m guessing Josie and Matt will be the youngest there. I don’t know whether Matt would rather do something romantic with his girlfriend but Josie wouldn’t miss this comeback for anything — she finds my best friend absolutely hilarious.

The venue is already busy when I arrive so I grab a table near the back and get a drink. We’ll be up dancing for most of the night but will need a recovery spot after the exertions. The room starts buzzing and I spot Patty peering out from behind the stage curtain; she blows me a little kiss then retreats. Before long, Josie and Matt join me, closely followed by Charlie and Peter. They’re hand in hand and both are beaming.

---