Page 65 of Happily Never After
‘What?’
‘You’ve clammed up, Liv. That means one of two things. Either it’s all imploded spectacularly and you’re trying to avoid talking about it, or you’ve fallen so hard that you’re already thinking about what to wear for your wedding. I’m guessing, given that you seem to be in a pretty good mood generally, that it’s the second.’
Now it’s her turn to sigh, and I laugh again.
‘Oh dear,’ I observe. ‘You have got it bad.’
Our conversation is interrupted by a soft knocking at my door.
‘Hang on,’ I say to Liv. ‘Back in a mo.’
I place the handset on my bedside table and cross the room to open the door. My visitor is neither a surprise nor welcome.
‘I’m on the phone,’ I say to Angus. ‘Go away.’
‘Who are you talking to? Liv?’
‘Yes, not that it’s any of your business.’
‘Are you talking about me?’
‘No. Funnily enough, neither of us find you that interesting. Was there something you wanted?’
‘I thought we could talk.’
‘Well, we can’t. I’m busy.’
‘Later then?’
‘Angus, there isn’t anything to talk about.’
‘Have you thought about what I said earlier, at least?’
‘I really haven’t,’ I lie. If I give even the slightest hint that Liv and I have been discussing his arrival and picking it apart, he’ll take that as a positive sign and I need to shut that down. I know it sounds cruel, but it would be worse to let him think there’s a possibility of us getting back together, only to dash his hopes later.
He sighs expressively. ‘I’ll see you at dinner. Maybe we can talk then.’
‘I doubt it. Look, I’ve got to go.’
I think the message might just be starting to percolate through, as he does look a little crestfallen as I close the door. My brief pang of guilt is swiftly swept aside by the voice from my bedside table.
‘Bloody hell. Talk about needy,’ Liv says dismissively.
‘You heard?’
‘Of course I heard. I’m on loudspeaker. I might as well be standing next to you.’
‘So you see the problem.’
‘No. I can see the ceiling. The problem was in the doorway. What are you going to do?’
‘Isn’t that where we started? I guess I just have to keep repeating the same message until he gets it. Anyway, stop changing the subject. Donna. Spill.’
‘Fine. Yes, she’s amazing, OK? We connect on so many levels. I think it helps that we’ve both seen a lot of the world. She gets me, does that make sense?’
‘Don’t I get you?’ I ask, unable to keep the hurt out of my voice.
‘Of course you do, but I’m not having sex with you, am I?’
