It Started With A Tweet(82)

‘Is it?’ I say, walking over to the table and sitting back down.

‘Yes, he strikes me as a nice guy, and I got the impression that he quite liked you. He was most inquisitive about where you were this morning. He seemed very disappointed that you were still sleeping. You know, he took an awful long time over his tea,’ she says nudging my elbow.

I’m about to protest when Alexis comes bounding down the stairs.

‘’As he gone?’

‘Oh, I think Buster was getting restless. I’m sure he’s just up the drive,’ I say dismissively.

He gives us a wave and heads off outside.

‘What’s that?’ asks Rosie.

I’m busy thinking about Jack, and processing what just happened, so it takes me a second to realise what she’s talking about. I look down at my hands and see the letter from the mysterious company.

‘Oh this? It came for me in the post; I think it’s probably some type of joke.’

Rosie takes it and reads for herself and I replay this morning’s events over in my head.

I can’t believe he said I lied to him. I’ve been nothing but honest. He’s the one who’s been keeping secrets – about what he does, about him dating Jenny. And it’s not like I wrote that postcard; it’s not my fault Erica’s encouraging me to get some.

‘Wow. How random. E.D.S.M. – do you think it’s some sort of bondage company with a typo?’

I half smile. ‘I’m still not sure what to make of it.’

‘Are you going to phone them?’

‘I don’t know. It could be anyone, couldn’t it?’ I sigh and take it back off Rosie to reread it. ‘It does worry me, though, what if this is my only option? I can’t imagine that the job offers will be flooding in. You know, if I had the Internet I’d google them.’

‘Or look them up on Companies House to see if they’re legit,’ she says nodding. ‘Perhaps you should just ring them to see what they have to say.’

‘But what if it’s like some fake sheikh sting?’

‘You sent one tweet, I don’t think you’re that famous.’

‘Maybe,’ I say. The thought of ringing someone work related makes me feel sick. It’s been so easy to hide away here with the Internet and to ignore my career meltdown. I don’t know if I’m ready to face all that yet.

I look around the kitchen and wonder what I’m doing here. Alexis is due to go next week and acting as a chaperone was the main reason I was staying for so long. I’ve also managed three weeks on my detox, which I’m sure even Rosie would agree is above and beyond what was expected.

Sooner or later, I’m going to have to face up to the muddle my life is in, and Jack’s outburst this morning has made it easier for me to leave.





Chapter Twenty-Six

Time since last Internet usage: 3 weeks, 20 hours, 28 minutes and 18 seconds

For the past forty-eight hours my mind’s been in a maelstrom. I keep replaying what Jack said over and over, analysing what I should have said to get to the bottom of it. Then on top of that, I can’t stop thinking about the letter from E.D.S.M. and wondering who they are and if I’m brave enough to give them a call?

Rosie must have twigged how distracted I’ve become as she’s summoned me over to the well for an emergency detox meeting.

‘So what is it, then? An extra special meditation session, whilst channelling the well’s magical healing powers?’ I say. ‘I was busy working when Alexis gave me the message.’

‘Busy working?’ she says, raising an eyebrow. ‘Is that code for flicking through Good Housekeeping again for inspiration?’

‘Maybe.’ She knows me too well. ‘It’s important to get ideas for the planning.’

‘Uh-huh. Sure. Sorry to have dragged you away, but I thought this was more important. You haven’t been yourself since you got that letter.’

.?.?. And I had that argument with Jack.

‘So, I was thinking, I think it’s time.’

‘Time for what?’ First Jack, and now Rosie. Why is everyone talking in bloody riddles?

‘Time, my little sister, to end the detox.’

I gasp in shock.

I stare down at the well and then back up at her. I’m wondering if this is some sort of test. Should I pretend not to be bothered? To prove to her that I’ve curbed my digital addiction once and for all? But she looks really serious.

‘You’re not joking,’ I stutter, as it starts to hit me that I’m going to be reunited with my phone any minute now. ‘You’re going to give me my phone, just like that.’

I’ve wanted this moment for weeks, but now that it’s about to happen, I can’t help feeling a little flat.

‘What did you want, some sort of closing ceremony? You are ready, young grasshopper,’ she says laughing. ‘In all honesty, I can’t believe you lasted this long. I kept expecting to find you here trying to get your phone out with a stick or stealing people’s phones in desperation.’

‘Ha, ha, ha, as if,’ I say in a squeaky voice. Has she been tracking my every move? Or is this some kind of sibling telepathy?

‘Anyway, the time has come.’

‘Has it? Are you sure?’