Page 73 of One Night in Edinburgh

‘Anna…’ Connor gives her a gentle warning that’s she’s overstepping.

‘What, Connor?’ She throws her hands up in semi-defiance. ‘I’m right, aren’t I?’

‘I’m not sure the important thing right now is you being right. What’s important is that Stephy gets through this experience in one piece.’

‘You’re right, sorry.’ Anna pats my hand. ‘I’m so disappointed that it didn’t work out. But I’m more disappointed that he’s a bastard and it was me who encouraged you to give him the time of day in the first place.’

I wince as she says this, not wanting to think of Jamie as a bad person, but equally having no justification to come out in his defence.

‘Good for you for being brave and calling it though,’ she continues. ‘If there’s one positive that will come from this, it’s that you’ve learned early in your reintroduction to the world of dating that trust has to be earned. Putting your faith in someone unconditionally is a dangerous thing.’

‘Anna…’ Connor tries again.

‘It’s fine, Connor.’ I reassure him. ‘Anna’s always been a bit blunt. She’s right though. I was naive in thinking that my forever man would appear the moment you and I had split up, and that I wouldn’t have to go through the same crappy dating experiences as everyone else. I’m guessing that includes falling for the charms of the unbelievably hot guys who are bad for me.’ I give a weak smile, then screw my face up at the thought of Jamie being bad for me, and start to cry again.

‘Hey… come here.’ Connor pulls me into a hug.

I allow myself to snuggle into him and hold on tight, breathing in his familiar smell. For a moment, I wish that none of this had ever happened, and that Connor and I were still together – even though that’s a ridiculous and completely irrational thought. I felt so safe with him. Now I feel lost and vulnerable.

‘Why don’t we watch some TV to take your mind off things?’ suggests Anna.

‘Sure.’ I shrug. ‘How about one of your gruesome crime thrillers? Think I’d like to watch something where someone’s having a worse day than me.’

‘That’s the spirit.’ Anna chuckles. ‘I know exactly what we should watch.’

She turns on Netflix and finds the programme she’s looking for using the search function, then hits play.

‘You’ll love this. It’s about a serial killer whose modus operandi is killing through the postal service. People receive an anonymous parcel and thenbam, they’re dead.’

‘Getting killed by your mail definitely qualifies as having a worse day than me,’ I say. ‘Let’s watch it. Anything to take my mind off Jamie.’

I well up again as I mention his name, and Connor pulls me in for another hug, while Anna goes to the kitchen for reinforcements – a.k.a crisps and chocolate.

About fifteen minutes into the programme – which I have to admit already has me hooked and is the perfect distraction from my woes – my phone buzzes on the floor in front of me, alerting me to a new message. My immediate thought is that it might be Jamie messaging to say he’s thought things over, and he’s ready to tell me what’s going on after all. Anna pauses the programme and nods towards my phone.

‘Go on, hon. If you don’t check it, you won’t be able to focus on the programme.’

‘Thanks.’ I reach down and snatch my phone from the floor.

Unfortunately, it’s not from Jamie, it’s my dad.

Dad:

Steph, I’ve been looking at my diary and I can manage an afternoon on the course with Jamie next Sunday. Will you ask him if that date suits, please?

‘Oh no,’ I whimper.

‘What’s up?’ Connor leans across and glances at my phone. ‘Oh.’

‘What is it?’ Anna asks.

Connor looks at me and I nod permission.

‘Steph’s dad is asking about a date for playing golf with Jamie.’

‘Ignore that for now.’ Anna’s picks up the remote to press play again.

‘She can’t,’ says Connor.

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