Page 73 of The Spark

‘So, if you don’t mind me asking,’ Ash says, running a hand over his jaw as he looks at me, ‘what the hell was that?’

His dark T-shirt matches exactly the deep pigment of his eyes. ‘What?’

‘I’d have paid to do the tour you just took me on. How do you know so much about architecture in Amsterdam?’

‘I’m just... a bit of a sponge when it comes to stuff like that.’

A pause. ‘You can tell me, you know. If you’ve been to Amsterdam before. Did you come here with Jamie?’

I gaze down at the street, at the commotion of taxis and trams and people. ‘No, never.’ This much, at least, is true.

His expression relaxes slightly. ‘Well, anyway. It’s nice that I don’t have to hide this part of my personality with you.’

‘Which part?’

‘The part that gets turned on by a really good building.’

I laugh.

‘I nearly cancelled this trip, you know. After... what happened. I’m so glad I didn’t.’

I swallow down the mess of feelings in my throat. It takes a little effort. ‘Me too.’

Chapter 32.

On our last night, we go for dinner at a restaurant recommended to Ash by Gabi. It’s pretty tiny – there are just two lines of tables inside – but it is romantic, and rustic, and feels comfortingly and distinctly European. The walls are papered with vintage French posters. There are bottles of wine everywhere, and warm flickering candles, and plenty of dark corners for getting cosy in.

I’m surprised to learn it was Gabi’s idea to come here, given how infrequently Ash says they speak now.

‘She called me not so long ago,’ he says, dipping a chunk of celery into the vat of fondue between us. ‘She still does occasionally, if she’s having a crisis.’

‘What was the crisis?’

‘Toby.’

‘The Coachella guy?’

He nods. ‘She thinks they should live together. Terrible idea, obviously. I probably wasn’t as tactful as I could have been.’

‘Why is it a terrible idea?’

I can tell Ash still cares by how quickly his forehead furrows. ‘It just seems like every conversation they have is a row. And they don’t have much in common. He hasn’t got a job. Not sure if he ever has, actually.’ He pauses, then picks up his wine. ‘I mean, if you move in with someone, the starting point should at least be that you get on, don’t you think?’

‘Of course.’

‘Like, you should have fun all the time and a mad attraction and have similar life goals... right?’

‘Definitely. I mean, maybe you should say that to her.’

‘Yeah, maybe,’ he says, thoughtfully. ‘I thought I’d try... saying it to you first, though.’

I look up from my plate and frown, confused.

He takes in my expression and laughs. ‘Okay. I’m trying to ask if... you’d like to live with me, but clearly I’m completely cocking it up.’

‘Oh,’ I say, feeling a rush of pleasure and surprise.

Across the table, he grabs my hand. ‘I know it’s only been a few months, but... this doesn’t scare me, Neve. It feels right.’

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