Page 71 of The Last Love Song
‘I can cope. And of course I still want to remain friends. We all need friends, don’t we, Tony?’ She smiled at him with no emotion, then drained her glass. ‘I really must be going.’
‘So soon? What about dinner?’
‘I said I might drop in at a gig I’ve been invited to.’
‘Oh, okay. It sounds as if you’re really settling in at Metropolitan.’
‘I am.’
‘Don’t get too settled. I’ll be wanting to see your face in my classroom in a month’s time.’
‘I’ll be there.’ She kissed him lightly on the cheek. ‘Bye-bye, Tony.’
‘Bye, Helen.’
She climbed down from her bar stool. Without looking back, she left the bar.
That night, Helen did not sleep. But rather than giving way to the desolation, she tried to analyse the positive aspects of the summer. From a purely objective standpoint, Tony had done a lot for her in the past year. She no longer felt like a plain lump, and thanks to him, Helen knew she had the ability to please men. He’d also given her faith in her own intelligence and she had every reason to believe her future would be bright. Put simply, her short relationship with Tony had given her a confidence she had not known was within her.
Even so, all these brave thoughts did not take away the pain of rejection.
How did someone harden their heart, seal it off so there’d be no more suffering? Helen didn’t know yet, but it was a question she was determined to find the answer to.
21
Derek rang the bell at the side of the blue door, his legs shaking. With no response forthcoming, he held the bell down until he finally heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs. He needed to see her. If he could just make Peggy understand that no man could ever love her like he could...This gesture was just the thing.
The door opened. She smiled uncertainly at him.
‘Hello, Derek, how are you?’
‘Fine, fine.’
‘Good.’ There was an uncomfortable silence. ‘I don’t—’
‘Where’ve you been?’ Derek cut her short.
‘Away on holiday.’
He sniffed. ‘Well, you might have told me, Peggy. I’ve been worried sick.’
‘I...sorry, Derek.’ She thought it best to placate him.
‘Never mind. You’re back now and that’s all that matters. These are for you, to say welcome home.’ Derek handed her a large bunch of roses.
‘Er, thanks. That’s very sweet of you.’
‘That’s okay. Can I come in?’
‘Look, Derek, it’s not really a good time. I have to go out in half an hour and—’
‘Just for a few minutes,’ he urged.
She took a moment to consider. ‘Okay then.’ She opened the door wider so he could walk through, then shut it behind them. They climbed the stairs to the flat and she led the way into the sitting room.
‘These are beautiful.’ She smelt the flowers and laid them on a side table. ‘So how’s the band?’
‘It looks as though we might have a deal very shortly.’
