Page 135 of The One That I Want

‘Hi,’ she says. ‘I’m guessing you’re Ewan.’

He recovers from the mini stupor induced by Tiggy’s intrusion and jumps up, holding out his hand. ‘Hi, lovely to meet you. I’ve heard lots of good things about you.’

It’s the perfect thing to say, disarming Tiggy instantly. ‘Yeah, me too – about you. Apparently, you have a very cute dog.’

She smirks and Ewan laughs.

‘So, you two have made up then?’ she asks, looking between us.

‘Yes,’ we say in unison. We look at each other and grin, and Ewan wraps an arm around my shoulder and kisses my cheek.

‘Excellent – so the email…?’

‘Oh, right, the email,’ I say. ‘I completely forgot.’ I look to Ewan. ‘I got this random email this morning from an address I didn’t recognise, and I thought it might have been you. That’s why I called Tiggy. I wasn’t brave enough to read it by myself.’

‘Ahh,’ he says. ‘That explains what you said before.’

‘So, who’s it from then?’ asks Tiggy pointedly.

I open my handbag and take out my phone, then navigate to my work email, which I’ve buried three folders deep to avoid getting in the habit of checking it when I’m not at work.

I scroll, then tap on the email.

‘It’s from Bex,’ I say softly.

‘That little?—’

‘Wait,’ I say, cutting Tiggy off.

The email is short and apologetic, and Bex takes full responsibility for her actions. The last line says:

I’m so sorry. I hope one day you can forgive me.

Bex

‘She’s apologised,’ I say, holding up my phone. ‘I mean, I won’t be hiring her back or anything, but I can put this behind me now.’ I heave out a hefty sigh. ‘God, I’m?—’

‘Exhausted?’ suggests Tiggy.

‘Famished,’ I say. I turn to Ewan. ‘Are you hungry?’

‘Starving. Skipped breakfast this morning to come here.’ He looks to Tiggy. ‘Do you want to have breakfast with us? I know a really good coffee shop, just down the road,’ he says, waggling his eyebrows.

‘Thanks, but heeding this one’s cry for help meant I haven’t even showered yet. I’m gonna head home.’

‘Another time then,’ says Ewan.

‘For sure. I definitely want to be there when you meet Mrs D.’

‘Mrs D— Oh, your mum?’ he says to me. ‘Should I be worried?’

‘No,’ I say, right as Tiggy says, ‘Yes.’ She cackles with laughter.

‘I’m off.’ She reaches down and hugs me. ‘So happy for you, babes,’ she whispers. She steps back. ‘See ya, Ewan.’ She pats him on his arm and leaves.

‘Well, now you’ve met my best friend.’

‘She’s…’

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