Page 66 of The First Mistake

Maria choked on her sandwich. ‘That’s a bit extreme, isn’t it?’

‘He was anextremearsehole, so the punishment befitted the crime.’

‘So, this is him, trying to crawl back into your good books,’ said Maria, giving a nod to my phone, still vibrating its way along the staff room coffee table.

‘He flew to Spain this morning, so I’m assuming he’s ringing me to say that he got there safely. But he can call all he likes, because I really don’t care.’

Maria rolled her eyes and picked up my phone, which was in danger of buzzing itself off the table.

‘Jesus, he’s called twenty-three times,’ she said. ‘I think he’s done his penance, don’t you?’ It started ringing again, and she accepted the call before throwing the phone at me.

‘Yep,’ I barked down the phone, with all the sassiness I could muster.

‘It’s me,’ he said.

‘No shit, Sherlock. What do you want?’

‘I’ve had an accident,’ he said. ‘I’m in hospital.’

My blood ran cold and I momentarily lost the ability to focus. ‘What? Where?’ was all I could manage.

Maria instinctively came towards me, her presence a welcome anchor in the stormy sea I’d suddenly been immersed in.

‘I’m in Spain,’ he said, his voice slow. ‘I’ve been hit by a car.’

‘Oh my God,’ I said, bringing my hand up to my mouth. ‘Are you going to be okay? Where are you? I’ll come over.’

‘No, it’s fine,’ he said. ‘I’mfine, just bruised and sore. They’re going to take anX-ray.They suspect I’ve got a broken arm and they’re keeping me in overnight, just as a precaution.’

‘What about the car?’ I asked, though I don’t know why.

‘Well, that’s got a me-shaped dent in it,’ he said, attempting to laugh before saying, ‘Ouch, that hurts.’ I wondered how people in pain actually had the wherewithal to say ‘Ouch’.

‘I can come out there,’ I said, as Maria nodded in agreement, intimating that she’d cover for me. ‘I can be there later tonight, if I can get a flight. Honestly, I—’

‘No,’ he said with surprising force, though it was probably the best course of action as I was beginning to babble and struggling not to cry.

‘Will you be okay? Have they said when you might be able to fly home?’

‘Not yet, but it doesn’t look like I’ll be out of here any time soon. I’m just worried that I’ll not be able to get back to see you before you go off on your trip.’

I fell back onto the staff room sofa. ‘Listen, about last night—’ I started.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said, cutting across me. ‘It was a silly argument and I’m sorry that it got out of hand.’

‘I’m sorry too,’ I said. ‘I got a bee in my bonnet and was completely unreasonable.’

‘You weren’t,’ he said. ‘You’re right about my place. Once we’re both home, why don’t we spend the weekend together? Stay at mine and I’ll show you the delights of Maida Vale.’

Now that he was offering it, it didn’t seem nearly so important. It didn’t matter where we stayed, just as long as we were together. Him having an accident seemed to hammer the point home even more.

‘Are you sure you don’t want me to come over?’ I said.

‘No, honestly, I want you to stay where you are. But before you go, I’ve got some good news.’

‘Oh?’

‘I managed to sell your mum’s wine collection, just before the accident. In fact, it’s why I was on my phone and probably not paying attention when I crossed the road.’

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