Page 145 of You Float My Boat

PS. Give Buddy a kiss, tell him it’s from the one he loves most.

I could almost feel Buddy rolling his eyes as he looked up at me.As if I love Hugo more than you.

‘Exactly,’ I replied, dropping a kiss onto his face and, screwing up the note, I tossed it into the fire. Enough of that rubbish. ‘Now, what do have we here?’

A thick lump was already rolling its way up my throat as my thumb eased open the cream envelope. Drawing in a loud sniff, I pulled out the letter inside and unfolded it.

Dear Violet,

I know you said no contact, but for this purpose I chose not to listen :)

This week without you has been awful. Really truly horrendous.

I always thought I was fine by myself, but the past few months have made me realize just how much better you make everything – going to class, training, even waking up in the morning – because it means I get to see your beautiful face next to me.

I’ve missed holding your hand and talking to you, I’ve missed practising lines with you, even when I fumble mine, but most of all I’ve missed you.

I’m so sorry I made you feel you weren’t important enough to me, because you’re the most important thing in my life. AndI want nothing more than to start over from the beginning with you as my girlfriend for real.

Anyway, you asked me to prove it. So here goes …

Violet Brooks walked into the Blue Oar.

I knew my heart would never be the same.

Her blue eyes twinkled like stars in the sky.

Sleep eluded me for weeks, Violet.

Wine. Sandwiches. Tattoos. Kisses. Shakespeare.

Twenty-one chocolate Valentine’s cupcakes.

You gave me a night I’ll never forget.

I love this girl with violet-dipped hair.

The course of true love never did run smooth.

Now the cupcakes spell out Please Forgive Me.

The first sonnet I have ever written.

Who knew it was possible to miss a …

Person like flowers miss water, or the sun?

But I do. Miss you. Very very much.

If you hate this, don’t hold it against me. I promise I’ll try harder next time.

Please be there waiting on Saturday. I’ll be winning for you, and you alone.

I love you,

Charlie xx

PS. Check your email.

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