Page 60 of The One That I Want

‘Ha-ha,’ I reply sarcastically.

‘And what about Ewan?’ she asks, throwing me a scrutinising look.

‘What’s with the look? I told you, Ewan and I arefriends.’

‘Hah!’ she scoffs.

‘We are!’

‘You see him nearly every day, you have these “lovely conversations”’ – she waggles two fingers to denote air quotes – ‘andyou described him as handsome,’ she retorts.

Whydid I tell her so much about Ewan on the way home from Mum and Dad’s? Oh, that’s right – because I didn’t expect mybest friendto weaponise something I told her in confidence.

‘Heisobjectively handsome.’

‘Ah-hah!’

‘But that doesn’t mean I fancy him.’

‘Mm-hmm,’ she murmurs, clearly unconvinced.

‘Besides,’ I continue, hoping to curb her insinuations. ‘Harrison was handpicked for me and even if Ididfancy Ewan – which I don’t – it would be rude not to at least meet Harrison.’

‘To who?’

‘It’s “whom” and to Harrison –andPoppy –andAnjali. A lot of work has gone into making this match.’

‘Mm-hmm,’ she replies again, her lips pursed with judgement.

She sits up suddenly and opens the drawer of my coffee table, taking out the notepad I keep in there in case inspiration strikes.

‘What are you doing?’

‘I’m making a list,’ she says, finding a pen and clicking the end of it. ‘Of all your men.’

‘You hate lists,’ I say dryly.

‘That’s how confusing this is. I’m being driven to list-making!’

‘And they’re not “my men”,’ I toss at her, but she ignores me and starts writing.

I don’t know why she’s bothering. I have no doubt Harrison is everything I’m searching for. Well, there’ssomedoubt –reasonabledoubt – but if Idon’tmeet him, then I’ll always wonder, ‘What if?’

While I’ve been contemplating my match with Harrison –again– Tiggy has completed her list. She regards it thoughtfully.

‘Can I see?’ I ask, craning my neck.

She hands it over and I chuckle as I read down the page.

Marcus – fat-shaming arse – NO FUCKING WAY

Aman – lives with mum – NO FUCKING WAY

Travis – bad name – ???

Ollie – naturist (OMG) – ???

Ian – too old and (maybe) too sad

---