Page 53 of The Happiness Project

‘I like to think about things,’ he says. ‘I’m better when the challenge is about improving my own score rather than beating someone else.’

I contemplate that this attitude probably makes David more of an introvert than anyone else I know and that’s probably a good thing. Branson’s advice, to respect a partner for who they are, comes to mind as we’re heading home. The evening may have started with me doubting that we’d ever find anything we had in common but it’s ended up being a perfectly nice evening.

The cab pulls up at my house and I’m wondering whether to invite David in for coffee when he leans over, gives me a peck on the cheek and wishes me a good night’s sleep.

As I say, it was a perfectly nice evening.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Between the Lines

‘Perfectly nice?’

Patty is not at all impressed with my analysis of last night.

‘It was,’ I protest. ‘We had a lovely meal, glass of wine and found out a bit more about each other. That’s what normal people do — we can’t all meet on a cruise ship.’

‘I suppose so . . . Didn’t you want to invite him in for coffee? You do know that I wouldn’t mind — this is your house without any restrictions. I would have vanished into my room with just a nod of the head.’

I tell her that I do know that but I knew I’d have a big day at work so didn’t want to risk it turning into a party. I didn’t mention that I couldn’t imagine David ever coming back to party. My reasoning seems to placate her and we move on to the book club meeting which I’m currently getting changed for.

‘So it’s about walking,’ she says, picking up the book we’re discussing tonight.

‘Kind of. It’s really about a couple who lost everything.’

‘So it’s a bit like that film with Reese Witherspoon? Exhaustion, adversity, some kind and some cruel people along the way?’

‘I really wish you’d read some of the books we select instead of just trying to reduce them down to soundbites,’ I scold her. ‘This was incredibly moving.’

‘I promise to try next time.’

‘You always say that. Why don’t you pick something for the group? Then you’ll have to read it and can come along.’

She has that thoughtful look on her face and then suddenly smiles as if a light bulb has appeared over her head.

‘I know exactly what I’ll pick,’ she declares with a glint in her eye that can only mean mischief.

* * *

Work today has been tiring with the final preparations for Vienna as well as the ongoing bookings, but I think we’re ready. In an ideal world I think I’d be happy with the sofa and a cosy crime on TV tonight, but I know when I get to the book club I’ll be glad I went and will probably sleep much better than if I’d been lazy for the whole night. Besides which, I really do enjoy seeing my friends.

We’re the last to arrive because Patty became all secretive after agreeing to select our next book. She vanished for half an hour and when I shouted out that we had to leave the house, she appeared carrying a large holdall stuffed with something — presumably book related. The regulars are all here and I shuffle in between Sarah and Caroline as Patty gets us a drink.

‘I’m really pleased you recommended this,’ I tell Sarah. ‘I found it very inspiring.’

‘Me too,’ adds Patty, handing me a glass of wine. ‘Such an odyssey.’

I glare at her and get a little grin in return. This woman has more cheek than a blue-bottomed baboon.

The discussion gets underway with everyone having enjoyed the book in some way. It’s the story of a couple, where the husband is diagnosed with an incurable brain disease and then they lose all their money and their home through a bad investment. They’re literally left with nothing except a few hundred pounds, so they buy a tent and set out to walk the 630-mile-long Salt Path.

‘I was lying in bed reading this,’ Peter starts us off, ‘and I realised how quickly life can turn from being perfect to horrific. I looked around me at my wonderful home and loving partner, knowing how safe and happy we are and simply couldn’t contemplate losing it all. I’m not sure I would cope half as well.’

Although everyone is nodding in agreement, I think Peter would cope well. He’s a strong individual and he would do anything it took to keep Charlie safe. I say all of this and he smiles.

‘I love him,’ he says, ‘but 630 miles? That would be stretching it!’

We all laugh and continue the discussion, wondering whether we’d take in a sodden, muddy couple who needed somewhere for the night and being thoroughly ashamed to confess that we probably wouldn’t.

After reviewing the book, we all grab another drink and the evening turns to general chatter.

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