Page 42 of Five Things I Love About You

Arms snake around me from behind, someone nuzzles into my neck, and I sigh happily, turning to receive a kiss.

‘Happy?’ the voice whispers, and I nod as my body tingles at his touch.

I could stand here forever, just watching the sea and the sky, and feeling these strong arms around me. But I know it has to end, so when the clouds begin to blur, and the horizon starts to drift further and further away, the arms around me go limp and the air turns cold, I’m not surprised by any of it.

I open my eyes and I’m back, my heart racing, in my dark bedroom. Again.

17

It turns out that being a supply teacher is much harder than being a regular teacher. Most of kids are great, as always – but there are always a handful who are waiting for you to fail. It’s as though they can smell the fear, and plan to take full advantage of it.

I like to think that after the first couple of days the balance of power in the classroom had been re-established and I’d succeeded in snatching back the upper hand. But it hasn’t been easy, and by Tuesday evening I’m wiped out. I slump onto the sofa, lie along its length, and close my eyes.

My mind instantly wanders away from the stresses of trying to tame a class of twenty-odd teenagers, and back over the events of the last couple of weeks. Overwhelmingly, the feeling is of disappointment.

Although I hadn’t expected a call from the skydiving centre – it had already felt like a dead end when no one had known who Jay was on the day – I had hoped something might come of theLook Northstory. But so far, nothing.

Debs texted me the day after the story went out.

Deb

It’s so weird. It’s almost as though this man doesn’t exist at all.

I stiffened. Did she suspect I wasn’t telling her everything?

But even if all the details of the story weren’t exactly accurate, it did still feel odd. Even if it was simply for the attention, people almost always replied to calls for help on TV. The lack of response to my story spoke volumes.

Could it be time to give up? It feels a little early to admit defeat already, but I’m truly not sure what to do next.

I’m distracted from my thoughts by my phone beeping. It’s a message from Matt. I haven’t heard from him since theLook Northinterview apart from a brief ‘I hope it works and you find him’, and I feel a warmth spread through me at seeing his name. I click it open.

Matt

How were your first two days at school? Kids behave? X

I reply immediately.

Miranda

Kids were nothing I couldn’t handle although I feel like I could sleep for a week. How are you? X

I add a kiss at the end only because he has. Three dots show me he’s replying straight away, and I wait. But then the dots disappear and nothing arrives. My heart sinks. I put the phone on the coffee table and am about to haul myself off the sofa to make a cup of tea when my phone starts jumping about on the wooden surface.

Matt’s calling me.

‘Hi,’ I say.

‘Hey, I hope it’s okay to ring. Sometimes it’s easier than constantly texting.’

‘No, good. It’s fine.’ I realise I’m smiling at the sound of his voice. ‘So, how have you been?’

‘Good.’ He pauses. ‘Listen, sorry I haven’t been in touch much since we went out. Work’s been a bit mad.’

‘It’s fine. You’re a busy man.’

‘Yes, very busy and important.’ I can hear the smile in his voice. He clears his throat. ‘Anyway, I saw your interview, on the news.’

‘Oh, right. Yeah. Mortifying.’

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