Page 13 of Ex in the City
‘I’m trying to think where we were, the last time I saw you,’ he says.
I mean, the last time I saw him was in my sex dream, before he woke me up with the doorbell, but I don’t think that counts, does it?
‘London,’ I tell him.
‘Right, of course,’ he says. ‘The last time we toured.’
My phone can’t have been on again for long before it starts ringing.
‘Shit, it’s the school,’ I tell him – not that it means anything to him.
‘Go for it,’ he says, encouraging me to answer.
‘Hello?’ I say, worried something might be wrong.
‘Hello, Ms Wilde, this is Jo Morgan calling from Little Harehill School,’ she says. ‘We were expecting you and Mr Nutter this morning, for the career day…’
Shiiiiit.
‘…thankfully the parents who were going after you arrived early, so they were able to take your slot. It means so much to Archie, that you and Mr Nutter were going to come in and talk about your jobs, the two of you both being in such fascinating lines of work – are you able to fill the 11a.m. slot?’
I glance at my watch. Fifteen minutes – we’re about ten from the school.
‘Yes, of course,’ I tell her. ‘So sorry for the hold-up, we’ll be right there.’
‘Ah, fantastic,’ she replies. ‘I know a lot of the parents were looking forward to seeing you and your partner talk – you’ve got quite the crowd waiting for you.’
‘Great, see you soon,’ I say, trying to sound as calm as possible. Then I hang up. ‘Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck…’
‘Are you okay?’ Dylan asks me, concerned.
‘I’m okay,’ I say as I try to call Rowan but he isn’t picking up. ‘I’m just… fuck. I’m fucked.’
He approaches me slowly.
‘What’s going on?’ he asks.
‘I’m supposed to be doing a careers talk at Archie’s school, with Rowan, his dad, but I guess we both forgot, and he’s not picking up, and they’re expecting me at eleven and – look at me. I really, really don’t want to let Archie down, not with everything…’
I let my sentence taper off. Dylan doesn’t need to know what’s going on here.
Dylan places his hands on my shoulders and gives them a squeeze.
‘Go upstairs, grab your things and meet me outside,’ he instructs. ‘My car is outside. I’ll drive you there. You can get ready in the car, and try to call your fella, and I’ll get you there on time.’
‘Thank you,’ I tell him sincerely before dashing upstairs.
I throw on a dress, blast my hair with dry shampoo and brush my teeth, and then stuff a few items of make-up and a pair of tights into a handbag before hurrying back downstairs.
Unbelievably I’m still almost as shocked as I was to see him the first time, when I see Dylan standing in the hallway, holding a reusable coffee cup.
‘I had time to make one,’ he says. ‘And I think you need it more than me. Come on.’
‘Thank you,’ I tell him, taking a swig as we hurry down the drive, to where his Range Rover is parked.
I feel like I’m in a dream, as I hop into the passenger’s seat. I try Rowan again but he still isn’t answering.
‘Of all the times to go radio-silent,’ I say to myself as I throw my phone into my bag.
