Page 7 of Someone Like You

Well, nottechnicallyon my own. Global Reach is a multi-national marketing firm with thousands of employees across theworld. I’ll still be part of a team, but Raff is my (professional) soft place to land, a necessity when the work is fast-paced and always high stakes. For the most part, it’s interesting, and on any given day, I enjoy what I do, but it can also be overwhelming at times.

That’s why I’m grateful to Raff and Freya for ‘adopting’ me.

Eight years ago, when I transferred from the Seattle office to London, I knew no one. Not a soul. And, as luck would have it, I joined a team that included Raff and Freya, who were already a firm duo, and from week one, we became a tightknit trio.

I imagine they took pity on me – poor, helpless waif. And rightly so. I was mid-twenties, far from home, living in a city ten times the size of the one I’d left behind, andAmerican. The culture shock was so extreme, it knocked me sideways.

Seattle and London may both be famous for their rainfall, but that’s where the similarities end. Where Seattle is low-key and chill, London is fast-paced and… well, the opposite of chill. Moving here was the steepest learning curve of my life and there is no way I would have made it through my first year without Raff and Freya patiently teaching me the ins and outs of London life.

Andprofessional life. No showing up to work in Central London in jeans and a T-shirt – even on non-client-facing days. Oh, the horror! On the Monday of my second week, Freya caught up to me right as I was about to walk into the building. ‘Youcannotwear that to work,’ she said, steering me away from the revolving doors.

We called in late – both blaming the trains, even though I’d taken the underground – sorry, theTube. Then she led me to the nearest Marks & Spencer where I bought a cheap suit and an even cheaper blouse. I had decent work clothes back at my accommodation but, according to Freya, this would be faster.

When we arrived at work thirty minutes late, our manager gave us the side-eye but said nothing. I made sure never to be late again and to always dress for business.

I was so sad when Freya left to work at the Ever After Agency. Even though we still hung out socially, her absence was a gaping hole in my work life. Raff felt it too. I’m guessing that’s why we ended up even closer than ever, and he evolved from colleague/friend to work husband.

I need to spitball an idea: Raff’s my guy. I need to complain about Janine (an extremely annoying colleague in another team): Raff lends a friendly ear. I need another set of eyes on a presentation that’s missing something: Raff takes it to the next level.

He’s also a half-decent gossip, but I’m positive that’s only to humour me.

I watch his profile as he gazes out the rain-splattered window, his jawline tense. I can’t imagine being torn between two professions – especially when they’re polar opposites. Raff may be a marketing whizz but he’s also an incredible baker. I couldn’t say how many times I’ve shown up at his apartment and sat down to the best pie I’ve ever had or the most chocolaty cake or perfectly baked macarons…

But no matter how hard it would be on me if we didn’t work together, baking is Raff’s passion and if he wants to partner with CiCi, then I will support him 100 per cent.

‘It sounds like an incred?—’

‘I think I want to?—’

‘Go ahead,’ I tell him.

He grins at me. ‘I think I want to do it. It scares the bejeezus out of me but…’ He shrugs, baring his teeth – his oh-my-god-what-am-I-doing? face.

‘Butyou’ll regret it if you don’t.’

‘Yes, I think I would. You know I was properly pissed off when Aunt CiCi entered me inBritain’s Best Bakersbehind my back…’

‘No way!’ I quip, pretending to be incredulous.

When the producers called out of the blue, asking Raff to comein for an audition, he was baffled. When he put two and two together and got CiCi, baffled turned into furious. I was there when he confronted her – it wasn’t pretty.

‘All right, Imayhave overreacted.’

‘Mmm.’

‘But, of course, she was right.’

‘Mm-hmm.’

Ever since I’ve known him, Raff has wanted to be on that show, only if any of us told him to apply, he balked. CiCi did what she had to do to nudge him over the line.

‘And now you’ve got an opportunity to make baking your career,’ I add.

‘Yes. And if nothing else, it will help keep my mind off losing Winnie. Can’t mope about feeling sorry for myself if I’m starting a new venture.’

‘Right,’ I agree, unsure of what else to say. Icouldgo with, ‘Hey, Raff, maybe don’t make a major life decision because your (boring, snobbish) girlfriend dumped you.’ I’m sure he’dlovethat.

And the mention of Winnie sends me back to Freya’s idea.

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