Page 37 of One Night in Edinburgh

Connor and Anna share a concerned look.

‘I’m not sure either of us can give you that reassurance,’ says Anna.

‘Maybe you could delete the email account if it gets too much?’ suggests Connor.

‘What?’ I stare at him, almost unable to process what I’m hearing. ‘Connor, I’m not doing that when I’ve just put out an appeal for Jamie to get in touch. All my hard work gone to waste – and I’d definitely never hear from him.’

‘In that case, you’d better get used to idiots like that using you as a source of entertainment – and don’t assume that any of them are Jamie until you’ve vetted the person on the other end.’

Chapter 12

Six weeks later

By the end of February, the evenings are getting lighter and snowdrops are lining the cycle paths, signalling the first indications of spring. I’m also feeling more fulfilled from doing some additional hours as a key worker again after my conversation with Lizzie. It’s given me a lift knowing that I’m making more of a direct difference to people’s lives once more. But unfortunately, that’s where the positives in my life end. Not only have I not heard a peep from Jamie in that time, I’ve also had to put up with an inordinate number of ‘hilarious’ self-styled comedians from Leith’s pub-going population responding to my beer-can appeal. As much as they clearly think they’re the next Kevin Bridges, they’re about as funny as a cervical smear test.

‘That another one?’ Connor asks from his stretched-out position on the opposite sofa from me as my phone buzzes on the floor and I emit a frustrated groan.

We’re indulging in a Saturday afternoon box-set marathon together.

‘Will theyeverstop?’ I pause the programme we’re watching and look at him defeatedly. ‘It’s been six weeks.’

‘They’re certainly reducing in volume. Must be four or five days since the last one. That’s got to be a good sign. Hopefully means the stock of beers you added the labels to is nearly finished.’

‘I suppose.’

I pick up my phone intending to delete the email without even reading it, but as with every other time, there’s still a tiny part of me that wonders if it might be Jamie, so I have to read it. Navigating to my email account, I sigh with chronic disappointment as I see the words on the screen.

‘Here’s a new one.’ I read the message out loud to Connor. ‘“Are you looking for a particular Jamie? Cause if you’re not fussy, I reckon I could fit the bill. I shower every day and I’m house trained. That what you’re after?”’

Connor smirks with amusement. ‘That’s actually quite a good one. Better than the cheesy chat-up lines and obscene photos.’

‘Don’t remind me.’ I gag a little as he says this. ‘I thought the only place I’d come across that particular occupational hazard was on a dating app. It’s so much more of an intrusion when they land directly in my inbox.’

‘Aww, Stephy, sorry this hasn’t worked out for you.’

‘You did warn me. Feel free to gloat.’

‘Not at all.’ He flicks his hand in a gesture of batting away my comment. ‘I only said the approach with the brewery was a non-starter. Your DIY plan could have worked, and if it had, that would have been amazing.’

‘But it didn’t.’ I pout my lower lip and give Connor the full force of my puppy-dog eyes. ‘Why do you have to be gay, Connor? No, scratch that – why did you have to tell me you were gay? This is all your fault.’

‘What? Would you have preferred things to stay as they were? A lifetime of no sex and never knowing what true love is?’

‘Well, I’m hardly on the path to either, am I?’

‘You’ve had a handful of first dates and you’re even got a second date lined up. I consider that progress. You’re doing way better than me.’ He gets up from the sofa and wanders across to the kitchen. ‘Want a cup of tea?’

‘Yes, please. You know you’re not going to get to a second date if you don’t have a first one.’ I tut at him. ‘I was concerned when I found out Anna had taken the reins on your love life, but now I’m starting to think she’s going too easy on you.’

‘Listen, if you’d had the Hogmanay experience I had, instead of your fairy-tale night with Jamie, you’d understand. I’m fine with her managing the messaging for now. That way she can filter out the weirdos early on.’

‘Fair enough. But surely you need to get involved in the chat sometime, otherwise all these lovely blokes will be falling for Anna’s version of you instead of, well, the real you.’

‘I will.’ He takes the milk out the fridge. ‘Anyway, back to you and your second date with… what’s his name again?’

‘Sean.’

‘Show me his photo to remind me?’

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