The Perfect Girlfriend(91)

‘I don’t love you.’

‘Well, try harder.’

I’m actually getting quite sick of begging and pleading and being so bloody pathetically patient. He has no choice. I just want all this resolved so that we can get on with our lives.

‘Go and talk to her,’ I say calmly. ‘You’re running out of time.’

‘It’s not fair to throw this on her mid-air. I’ll talk to her when we’re alone and explain the situation properly. It’s also not fair on my family.’

‘All that I’ve asked of you is non-negotiable. End of. Don’t push me any more than you already have.’

‘I need time to think.’ He pauses, before adding, ‘Please,’ as an obvious afterthought. ‘Look, I get it. I understand. But you’re not coming to Whistler with us. I want time to talk to my family. Alone. At least give me that.’ He pauses again. ‘Your night-stop is only – what? – thirty hours or so at most, anyway. So it’s not like it would be that great for you.’

On second thoughts, perhaps it is best right now if Nate doesn’t know of my immediate plans. I’ll reveal things on a need-to-know basis. Because, come to think of it, there’s no glamour in being formally introduced to his parents beside a baggage carousel or in an overcrowded arrivals hall. From now on, things are going to be done properly and in style. I intend to make a grand entrance in Whistler and turn it into a truly memorable occasion.

‘Just get rid of Tara,’ I say. ‘And I’ll keep you up to date with our future plans.’

Nate walks slowly over to Tara’s seat, looks back at me, sees me watching him and sits in the guest seat opposite her. He leans forward. I return to the galley but watch from the other side. Nate looks as though he is trying very hard to placate her.

Things are looking good.

Martin and Nicky return from their break, but there’s no way I’m going on mine. There’s too much to keep an eye on. I pretend to read a paper, every now and then checking the cabin. There is much exchanging of seats, like musical chairs, and seemingly intense chat between them all.

I ask Nicky to deliver Miles a folded-up note discreetly, ‘. . . because he’s asked for some advice on a gift for his wife.’ Really, it’s more of a See Me note.

Moments after she’s delivered it, Miles meets me in the business-class galley.

‘Can you keep a secret?’ I say. ‘Well, yes, as we both know, of course you can. Silly me.’

‘I haven’t got much time,’ he says. ‘Bella will come looking.’

‘I’m joining all of you in Whistler. But I don’t want anyone else to know in advance. All you have to do is make an effort to help me blend in. Be a friendly face. The harder you try to fight my corner, the less likely I am to drop you in it.’

‘Please, don’t . . .’ he starts to say.

‘I took photos. Inside your house. And of you, asleep in Tokyo. So, I’m going to assume we have a deal?’

‘I can’t. Please. I appreciate that things were tough for you in the past, but Bella’s sorry. She doesn’t deserve this.’

God, he’s spineless. I shrug and walk back up the aisle towards the front.

‘Wait!’ he calls out.

Several passengers look over at us.

‘OK,’ he says. ‘I don’t like the sound of it, but OK.’

The smell of fresh coffee hits as I approach the galley. Martin and Nicky are already busy with the service. Everyone orders hot food and there are last-minute duty-free requests.

I peek into the cabin several times, but all six are now glued to their screens – as if, by concentrating on another world, they can ignore their current one.

When, as I know only too well, reality always finds a way to seep back in.

At the top of descent Bella seeks me out.

‘Can I have a word?’

‘You should have your seat belt on.’ I point upwards to the illuminated sign.

‘So,’ she says, ignoring my command. ‘Things all seem a little complicated. And it appears that I’ve inadvertently played my part. I’m sorry about school . . . you know, with regards to Nathan. I think we can all agree that we were young and immature.’

I don’t reply.

She seems emboldened by my lack of reaction, so she takes a deep breath and continues. ‘The thing is, Tara is a nice person. She and I are very good friends. Why don’t you leave them to get on with their lives? You can’t want Nathan after his behaviour, surely? You deserve better.’

‘That’s not what you said at school.’

‘Well, like I’ve just said, I’m sorry. It all got a bit silly.’

Martin interrupts us. ‘Madam, you need to go and strap yourself in.’

Bella gives me a look – as though ‘we’re all sorted now’ – and obeys him.

On the approach to Vancouver, I feel hot and cold. But I reassure myself, over and over, that Nate’s got it. He finally understands. However, the flaw is that I can never fully trust him, given his propensity for changing his mind. This is his final test; if he fails I will have to resort to strong measures.

And as for Bella’s pathetic attempt at an apology – she acted as though she was clearing up a mere nothing of a misunderstanding. I feel angrier than ever towards her.