Page 45 of Someone Like You

‘Great. I’ll text you where and when.’

‘Cool. See ya then.’

We end the call and I stare at the peace lily again. For someone who may have feelings for Raff, Gaby is certainly doing her part – and then some – to help him find his match. Maybe Ursula and I were wrong.

Or maybe Gabydoeshave feelings for him but still hasn’t admitted them to herself. This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered someone who’s oblivious to their own feelings – especially romantic ones.

And there’s another possibility, one I haven’t considered before now. What if Raff is into Gaby – even if he doesn’t recognise yet – which is why he didn’t engage with Jane at the course?

The kernel of an idea flits into my mind, and I wait patiently for it to take shape. It only takes a few minutes before I know what our new plan is, and it should give me clarity about Gaby’s feelings – possibly even Raff’s.

Ursula’s out of the office at the moment, but I’ll fill her in when she returns. I’m positive she’ll agree with my strategy.

I glance back at Freya, who’s now typing on her laptop. I suppose now is as good a time as any to fall on my non-existent sword and make things right between us. Besides, even if she doesn’t believe there might be something between Gaby and Raff, she’ll be instrumental in executing stage one of my new plan, starting with meeting Gaby for drinks.

‘Hey, Freya,’ I call out as I stand and make my way to her desk.

When I get there, she looks up at me, her eyes filled with contrition.

‘Hi, Poppy. I was about to come over.’

‘Oh, yeah?’

She nods. ‘I’m so sorry. I’ve been a nitwit…’

‘Nah!’ I say with a wave of my hand. She blinks at me slowly, as we both know this is a lie. ‘Well, okay, maybe a little one,’ I add gently.

Gaby

Poppy’s chosen The Gin Palace for our meet-up, a hip cocktail bar in Covent Garden which she says is halfway between the agency and her apartment. Or close to. I’m the first to arrive but there aren’t any seats available, even though it’s only Tuesday, and I do my best to stake out a space big enough for me, Poppy, and Freya.

At first I was surprised that Freya’s coming with her, but then it hit me – Poppy’s good at people. Of course she got Freya to come. And Freya may be sweet as pie most of the time, but when she gets a bee in her bonnet… Well, kudos to Poppy for setting the bee free.

‘We’re here!’ Freya declares, pushing between two burly banker types. They scowl in her direction, but she’s oblivious. She gives me a cheek kiss as Poppy follows her into the three-square-feet of floor I’ve commandeered.

‘Hey, Gaby.’

‘Hey. Is it always like this?’ I ask Poppy, scanning the room.

‘To be honest, I wouldn’t know – it’s only my second time here and last time, Greta saved me a seat at the bar,’ she replies. ‘It’s probably the lead up to the holidays.’

‘Oh yeah.’ Somehow, the Christmas decorations and a tinnyrendition of ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ blaring from the sound system escaped my notice till now.

‘So, what are you having?’ she asks us. ‘My shout.’

‘A Cosmo,’ says Freya. I throw her a look. ‘What?’

‘Have we suddenly been transported back to 1999?’ I quip.

‘I’m finally watching Sex and the City,’ she explains with a shrug. ‘I’ve never had a Cosmo and I want to see what all the fuss is about.’

‘Okay, sure,’ I reply.

‘I’m a Charlotte,’ she adds thoughtfully, and I’d have to agree.

Which makes me what? Carrie’s a romantic – not me at all. Samantha is a sex goddess – that’sdefinitelynot me. So, Miranda? She’s way more career oriented than I am. Maybe I’m nobody.

‘And for you, Gaby?’ Poppy asks, her words cutting through my bizarre introspection.

---