Page 63 of Textbook Romance

I glare at Kate who can’t seem to hide her glee, clutching on to her basket of towels. Don’t you dare. This is not a case of tit for tat. Though I did partake in his tat quite a fair bit last night. I pull a face, also trying to hold in my laughter. Brian yo-yos between the both of us, trying to figure out this shared joke.

‘I know Jack through work, he helped me co-ordinate it all,’ I say, possibly a little too unconvincingly.

‘Well, I’m glad he was there to give you some help.’

‘That’s not all he gave her,’ Kate says out of the side of her mouth. I close my eyes. I don’t think Brian heard that. She was far too slick, far too absorbed in her own sense of humour. I should glare but I grin, broadly. ‘I’m going to put these towels away,’ she says, taking her leave.

Her back to Brian, she widens her eyes at me cheekily and I follow her gaze as she leaves. When I turn back, Brian is looking at me strangely. He heard that, didn’t he? Bloody Kate.

‘You seem different. Have you changed your hair or something?’

‘I washed it?’

We both laugh, studying each other’s faces. There is something about him that I miss, possibly. He was a huge part of my life. I will always hold on to that. We share children for a start. But I think the emotion might be moving on. I think I might have started to swim again – the water is warmer, I don’t feel like I’m drowning anymore.

Jack

Hi

Hi

Thank you for the chicken.

I didn’t send you any chicken. Is this your way of thanking me for the sex? I guess we can call it that.

You’re funny.

I try. How are your kids? Home safe? You OK?

All good. They’re home, they’re safe. I’m sorry I didn’t message you before this. It’s been quite the weekend.

It has. I’m glad the kids are at home with you. I also feel the need to thank you too, you know? Thank you for taking a chance on me.

That’s my favourite ABBA song.

Who’s ABBA?

You are funny.

Will I see you tomorrow?

Yes. Meet you in the copy room?

I’ll be there. Naked. Next to copier 1.

It’s a date. Also, are you free in two weeks?

She’s planning ahead.

It’s just that I’ve got to go to Winchester with my STEM club. I need to take another member of staff.

I can be available.

It’s paid.

You don’t have to pay me for my company.

I wasn’t planning to. But log the hours as overtime.

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