Page 147 of Love ad Lib
‘Hotandnice,’ Carl replied. ‘And you don’t have to worry about Hunter-Savage nicking her.’
‘Why? What’s happened to him?’
Carl exhaled a plume of smoke. ‘Left.’
‘Where did he go?’
He shrugged. ‘No clue. Middle of last week he told Gaz he was off and he didn’t show the next day.’
‘Oh.’Good. James was someone who’d been in his life far too long. He was glad to finally see the back of him.
Estelle: Hey bro, I know I haven’t returned your calls, but we do need to talk. I’m coming up to town Tuesday. Can we meet early evening? Then see Libby after? Xxx
Henry: Libby’s got other plans on Tuesday evening, but I can meet you. Just let me know where X
The late afternoonsun warmed Henry’s face as he sat on the bench in Regent’s Park. In front of him, pedalos drifted across the boating lake. He imagined bringing one to Foxbrooke. No doubt his dad would think it hilarious and Gram-Gram would have a fit.
‘This is all very clandestine,’ a voice said to his right. ‘Should I be wearing a bowler hat and carrying a copy of Pravda?’
He stood as Claire approached, pushing a pram. She was smiling, but her skin was grey.
‘Thanks so much for coming,’ he said. ‘How is, erm, motherhood going?’
Claire sat on the bench and blew out her cheeks. ‘Honestly, I would murder the last panda left on earth with my bare hands to stop feeling like shit and get a good night’s sleep.’
‘I’m sorry, would you rather just go home?’
She shook her head. ‘To be honest, it feels good to get out for a bit, and the vitamin D is good.’ She swivelled to face him. ‘Okay then, Henry. What’s this all about?’
He cleared his throat. ‘You’re Libby’s best friend, and you know her better than I do. I wanted to ask your advice.’
‘Go on.’
‘She hasn’t been particularly, er,successfulat setting up workshops—’
‘I bloody knew it.’
‘And I want to help her. I’ve got some contacts in the City I could approach, but…’
‘She said no?’
He nodded. ‘I know she’s uncomfortable if I spend any money on her, but I want to. And I want to help her find work. I want to make her life easier. It makes me happy.’
‘And you want me to talk to her?’
He shrugged. ‘Maybe? I don’t know. I want to help, but I don’t want to cock it up.’
‘Because you’re head-over-heels in love with her?’ Claire asked with a smirk.
He gave a rueful smile. ‘That pretty much sums it up.’
She stamped her feet on the ground and clapped her hands. ‘Knew it! Oh Henry, I can’t tell you how happy that makes me after the last two years of bullshit with—’
‘Lucas?’
She nodded.
‘I have been worried she still holds a torch for him.’
