Page 98 of One Night in Edinburgh

‘Happy birthday, Stephy.’ Connor clinks his glass against mine as I beam back at him. ‘To the most kind-hearted, wonderful woman I’ve ever known.’

I go in for a second clink. ‘And to your exciting and courageous change of direction – in more ways than one.’

Connor and Lukas share another sickeningly gooey look, while Anna and Mateusz share a kiss as the glass clinking continues. I deep breathe my way through the moment, and sink half my drink in one go.

Thankfully, once it has passed, we settle into some light, humorous group chat and I begin to feel a little less like the ‘single fifth wheel’. In fact, as the lights dim and the music is turned up – signalling that Saturday night has well and truly kicked off – I’m able to shake off the negative feelings that have been weighing me down, and make the most of my birthday night out.

While bantering away with Lukas over whether I could sink a stein of German lager without coming up for air (the answer being: I couldn’t, I’d throw up), one of the staff doing table service approaches us with a tray of drinks and places a beer and a glass in front of me.

‘Oh, excuse me…’ I call after her. ‘I didn’t order this.’

She doubles back and checks the till receipts on the tray.

‘I don’t think it’s a mistake,’ she says. ‘There’s a note on here to say it’s a birthday drink for the woman in the green dress at table nine. This is table nine and you’re wearing a green dress.’

Although I don’t need to check – I know what I’m wearing – I look down at my outfit in confusion.

‘Did one of you order this?’ I ask my friends.

They all shake their heads.

‘OK, thanks… I guess,’ I say to the server, who wishes me a happy birthday then walks away.

I reach out to pick up the can of beer, which is partly obscured by the glass, and Anna stops me.

‘Steph, wait… what if that’s roofied? You don’t know who it’s from.’

I frown. ‘That’s true. Although… it’s obviously from someone who knows it’s my birthday. Surely no one I know well would spike my drink.’

I crane my neck to see if there’s anyone I recognise in the bar, but it’s packed and I can’t see much beyond the people standing around us.

‘I suppose.’ Anna still looks mildly concerned.

I pick up the can and I’m about to pour it, when I feel something odd – it’s like there’s something taped to it. Then I notice the distinctive pattern of flying animals, which in the low lighting, I had missed.

‘Wait a minute…’ I rotate the can and clock the brand name:Serve Minus Pigs. Then I turn it some more and see a handwritten label.

Steph, when you gave me your heart, I was too broken to share, but now I’m in a better place, and life without you is a ’mare. Please forgive me.

‘Oh, my goodness.’ I stare at the label incredulously as my body breaks into tingly goosebumps.

‘What is it?’ Anna reaches across and snatches the can from me.

‘Stephy, that isn’t…’ Connor’s twigged, but he’s wary about continuing in case he’s wrong.

‘It is.’ My heart is in my throat as the realisation fully hits me.

Jamie’s here. In this bar. And he wants me back.

‘Ohwow.’ Anna looks at me with wide eyes. ‘This is real, right? Not some copycat?’

I let out an incredulous laugh. ‘You and your bloody crime dramas. Of course, it’s real. Who else would know about this? And know to write me a poem in such a similar style?’

I hop off my bar stool and look around me wildly, trying to spot where Jamie is.

‘Steph, wait…’ Connor gently takes me by the wrist. ‘Take a moment to digest this before you charge across to see him.’

‘Yeah,’ says Anna. ‘How do you actually feel about it? Jamie broke your heart – more than once. Do you really want to leap to attention the moment he snaps his fingers? And can you trust that he’ll stick around this time?’

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