Page 20 of Read Between The Lines

After an uncomfortable few moments, Leo nodded in a thankfully business-like fashion. ‘Let’s move on. Have you considered the ethical implications of what you’re asking me to do?’

‘Meaning?’ I pressed.

‘Well, you’re essentially asking me to join a dating app which brings with it the potential of other people wanting to go on dates with me.’

‘That is generally the idea of dating apps,’ I said.

‘Is it fair to those other people? What if some woman sees my profile, decides she likes the look of me, but then her hopes are dashed because I’m not really available.’

A wave of shame came over me, tinged with a pang of something else I didn’t want to examine too closely. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t realise you already had a girlfriend. Why didn’t you say? Of course, you shouldn’t join the app if it’s going to cause problems for you guys.’

‘That’s not what I meant.’

I waited for him to elaborate further, but his expression turned pointedly blank, and I got the impression he’d already shared more than he’d wanted to.

‘Then what’s the problem?’ I asked. ‘Unless you’re trying to suggest you’re so irresistible that as soon as you join the app, hordes of women will be throwing themselves at you and then be utterly devastated because you’re not interested.’

I managed to provoke a smile in him.

‘Well, when you put it like that, it sounds ridiculous. But I do think we need to tread carefully when it comes to other people’s emotions.’

‘You’re not going to be leading anyone on unless you swipe right on them. And that’s precisely why it’s so important that we do this. Because other people’s emotions are being trampled on by this bastard.’

The word ‘bastard’ echoed around the suddenly silent library.

‘Oops, sorry,’ I said, grateful that it was mostly the regulars in today, who I knew wouldn’t be bothered by a bit of light swearing from their librarian. However, they would probably look less favourably on the amount of time I’d already spent talking to this one particular patron, considering the queue starting to form at the front desk and only Etta to deal with it.

‘Look, I need to get back to work, and I’m sure you’ve got plenty to keep you occupied too. I know you’re reluctant, but I really do think it would help our investigation if you were on the app. Promise me you’ll at least think about it. By the way, I’m catching up with Doris later; I’m sure she’ll be keen to hear all about your business ambitions.’

‘Hmm,’ he responded, but I thought I detected a softening of attitude somewhere in there.

‘Why don’t we sign you up at lunchtime?’ I pressed home my advantage. ‘You can share my sandwiches, and I’ll even write your profile for you, if you like.’

Leo pulled a face. ‘I’m perfectly capable of writing my own dating profile, thank you very much. I dread to think what you’d put in it. And I might be unemployed, but I can still sort my own lunch.’

I held my hands up. ‘I never suggested you couldn’t. I was being polite. Look it up in the dictionary some time.’

He responded with another grumpy ‘Hmm.’ I suspected he might be a bit hangry.

‘Maybe I should transfer some money across to Brian and lure him out that way,’ I said.

Both of us knew it wasn’t a serious suggestion, but it had the desired effect.

‘Fine, I concede defeat in this particular battle. I’ll meet you outside at one o’clock. We can go to the University Parks to eat. But I have final veto on the profile. I am not having you make me look like some touchy-feely wimp.’

‘There’s nothing wimpish about being in touch with your emotions,’ I responded, before recognising the glint in his eye. ‘You’re winding me up again, aren’t you?’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said gruffly.

‘Tell you what, as a show of good faith to make you feel less worried about the whole joining the app thing, I give you permission to read the last five messages from Brian while I’m working. We’ll discuss them at lunchtime as well.’

‘I do have my own work to do too.’

I patted his shoulder. ‘You enjoy yourHow to Build a Business in Your Teensbook. You’re at least a decade too late to win at that particular game, but I’m sure you’ll find some useful tips on how to invest your pocket money.’

‘So much for the judgement-free reading zone,’ I heard him say, laughter in his voice as I hurried back to help Etta.

ChapterEight

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