Page 57 of The Life Experiment
‘I…’ Layla began, but she had no idea how to answer that question. ‘Yes. No. I don’t know,’ she admitted. ‘I’ve just had the greatest date of my life.’
‘I see. And why is that a 1 moment?’
‘Because I’m dying, Saira. I was shown a glimpse of happiness straight after finding out when my life will end. How is that fair?’
The Uber driver glanced at Layla in the rear-view mirror, alarm flashing in his eyes. Layla tried to offer him a reassuring smile, but her features wouldn’t obey.
‘Layla, the purpose of life isn’t to focus on death,’ Saira said. ‘It’s to focus on the journey in between the beginning and the end.’
‘I guess,’ Layla admitted, her shoulders falling. ‘Is it selfish to want Angus to be part of that journey?’
‘I’m not sure selfish is the right word. Many people believe that the key to happiness is surrounding yourself with as much love and connection as possible, no matter how long it lasts for. If that’s the case, then having Angus in your life could be the greatest gift of all.’
Settling into her seat, Layla looked out the window. Everything about Angus’s presence in her life felt karmic – like he was sent at a time when she most needed to recognise how great life could be. Layla just wished she had more time to enjoy it.
26Angus
It wasn’t like Angus to cut out early on plans with Jasper, but he had no choice. The four Savile Row tailors Jasper had dragged him to meant their outing was now dangerously close to interrupting Angus’s time with Layla.
‘You should stick with Mulhoneys,’ Angus said as he reached for his coat. ‘Your family’s been going there for years.’
‘Which is exactly why I fancied a change,’ Jasper replied, eying the cut of a pair of trousers in the mirror. ‘If I was a stately home, I would be in dire need of a renovation.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. You dress well.’
‘Angus Fairview-Whitley, are you complimenting me?’ Jasper teased. He flicked his gaze to Angus in the mirror. ‘Do you have to rush off? There’s still another tailor to visit.’
‘Jasper, we were meant to finish shopping an hour ago.’
Checking the time, Jasper could only laugh. ‘Still, I thought we could grab a bite to eat when we finish.’
‘I can’t. I have plans.’
‘With who?’
At that moment, a text arrived on Angus’s phone.
Be there in 15. Dinner is on whoever arrives last… x
Grinning, Angus’s body moved on autopilot, heading for the door and the promise of the evening ahead. It was only when Jasper shouted his name that Angus realised he was leaving without saying goodbye.
Jasper shook his head. ‘She’s got you in a chokehold, my friend. Be careful. It’s not like you to lose your head over anyone.’
‘Maybe she’s not just anyone,’ Angus replied. Jasper’s eyebrows rose, but before he could say anything, Angus pointed to a smart jacket on a nearby mannequin. ‘Try that on. I reckon you’ll like it.’
Shaking his head, Jasper tutted. ‘Trying to distract me with fine tailoring? That’s low, Angus. I’m afraid it won’t work. I’m too invested in your mysterious love life.’
‘It’s not mysterious.’
‘Angus, I am your best friend and all I know about this woman is that you’re obsessed with her. If you don’t let me meet her soon, I’m going to have to ask your mother to get involved. If there’s anyone who can bully you into doing what they want, it’s Gilly.’
Angus’s smile tightened, but he couldn’t tell which part of Jasper’s response made him cringe the most. The idea of Jasper and Layla being in the same room, or the idea of Gilly meeting Layla and firing one of her dismissive putdowns her way.
‘That sounds a lot like blackmail,’ he replied curtly. Angus didn’t mean to sound quite so terse, but the strain of keeping Layla on the edge of his life was fraying him in ways he couldn’t control.
‘If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my father,’ Jasper said, straightening his tie in the mirror. ‘It’s that there’s no such thing as blackmail between friends. It’s simply a nudge in the right direction.’
‘Spoken like a true Machiavelli,’ Angus retorted, before pointing to the mannequin once more. ‘I’ve got to go, but I mean it – you should try this one on.’
