Page 25 of Straight to Me

VP: Too busy for me, eh? You kept yourself out of trouble?

Me: Yes. Have you?

VP: If I told you, I’d have to kill you

Knowing it’s a joke but realising he’s actually killed someone, makes me consider my reply. I accept his playfulness and decide to keep things that way.

Me: You could try

VP: It’s like that, is it?

Me: I can be tough you know. Remember, I knocked that guy out

VP: No, I saved you

Me: I punched him, then you came in

VP: What about the guy from the taxi queue, I saved you then

Me: I had that under control until you showed up

VP: Sure you did

Me: Let's agree to disagree

VP: Can I ask you something?

My heart beats irregularly at the prospect of his question. My fingers don’t start moving until his next message comes through.

VP: Have you missed me?

I want to reply with “Every second of every waking day”, but I don’t.

Me: Yes. Have you missed me?

VP: Every second since I rode away from you

Fireworks are going off all around me. My head starts spinning in a state of euphoria.

Me: Seems like we’ve both missed each other

VP: Seems that way

Me: What happens next?

VP: Reply next time I message?

Oh god.

Me: I will. Until we meet again?

A couple of seconds pass before he replies.

VP: Until then. Got to run, speak soon

Bex was right about feeling better. The next day, work goes well for the first time in a long while. I sing songs in my car at the top of my voice, smile at people and actually engage with my work friends about what they got up to at the weekend.

On my way home, a random FOR SALE sign catches my attention. An overwhelming feeling of panic makes my blood turn cold. Thank God I can stay with Jess for a bit. I need to start looking, but until my divorce is finalised and the settlement comes through, I'm not sure I'll find anything within my budget.

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