Page 152 of Love ad Lib
Henry: Estelle’s just got on the train back to Bath. I can meet you wherever you like. Hope it went well and sorry I couldn’t be there X
Libby: Shame I missed her. I’m on my way back to the flat. I’m really tired and just want to crash xxx
Henry: No worries, see you later X
She then sent a text to Lucas.
Libby: I need to think about how to make what you suggested happen. Can you meet me in a couple of days to discuss?
Lucas: Sure babe x
Back at the flat, Libby got Sunny out to make a new loaf of sourdough. Kneading and pummelling the dough was therapeutic. She didn’t want Lucas’s bad energy going into her beautiful bread, so she closed her eyes and took her mind back to the field of flowers and making love with Henry under the stars.
‘Hi, only me,’ Henry called through as the front door opened.
Mr Pussy ran out to meet him.
‘Incoming!’ she yelled.
But for once there was no screeching or yelling.
‘Are you alive?’ she called into the silence.
Henry entered the kitchen carrying Mr Pussy, who was purring into his neck. He looked as shocked as she felt.
‘Um,’ she began.
‘I don’t know what I’ve done differently. But my relationship with Mr Pussy has definitely turned a corner.’
She giggled. ‘Should I be jealous?’
‘Never.’ He carefully kissed the top of her head. ‘The only reason I’m not coming any closer is that I don’t want any cat hair ruining Sunny.’
She grinned. ‘I’ll be done in a bit.’
‘How did the show go?’
She took a big breath. She was not going to be a fuck-up anymore. She was going to project the person she wanted to become: confident, successful and going places.
‘Great!’ she replied enthusiastically. ‘Much better than last week. Brandon’s got some fantastic ideas, and I’m going to meet up with him in a couple of days for a brainstorm. I really think this new partnership is going somewhere.’
He smiled, but something about it was off.
‘How did it go with Estelle?’
He carried Mr Pussy to the cat tree.
‘Fine.’
She bit her bottom lip. Based on her picture-imperfect departure from Foxbrooke, she highly doubted it.
‘Henry?’
‘Mmm?’ He was still holding onto Mr Pussy and staring out the window.
‘Do you need to go back to Foxbrooke? Permanently?’
He transferred the cat to the top platform and faced her, his smile still in place.
