This Could Change Everything(73)

‘You both look very smart,’ said Zillah, and Essie felt a squiggle of pride. It had been a week since Paul had appeared on her doorstep, and she was still getting used to the fresh turn her life had taken. But things were going well, considering. Tonight would be the third date of their renewed relationship, and Paul was still being wonderfully attentive. She hadn’t asked Zillah outright what she thought of him, but there was no need. As far as boyfriends went, Paul ticked all the boxes. He was perfect.

And his phone was ringing. He took it out of his pocket, then hesitated. Essie glimpsed the caller’s name as it flashed up on the screen. ‘Oh, it’s your mum, you can’t not answer it!’

See? I’m on my best behaviour too.

Paul looked at her and Essie pointed encouragingly to the still-ringing phone. ‘Speak to her!’

He exhaled and pressed Accept.

‘Hi, Mum. Yes, everything’s fine. No, no problems. It’s OK, I’ve done that. Yes, and they’ve all been taken care of too. I haven’t forgotten anything.’ He paused and listened, then said, ‘You don’t have to worry, all under control. How are things with you?’ Another long pause while he listened, then, ‘Well that’s good. Yes, I will. No, don’t you worry. OK, bye now. Speak soon. Bye.’

The call ended. Paul looked relieved. ‘There, done. Shall we go now?’

Once they were outside, Essie said, ‘You said you’d told her about me and she was OK with us being back together. But you haven’t told her, have you?’

Another pause. ‘What makes you think that?’

‘Because neither of you mentioned me. And listening to your side of the call sounded a lot like the last time she went away and left you to look after her house.’ Essie eyed him steadily. ‘So, where is she this time?’

Paul shrugged, caught out. ‘Machu Picchu.’

‘Excuse me? Was that a sneeze?’

‘Peru.’

‘Right, of course she’s in Peru. How long for?’

‘Three weeks,’ he conceded with reluctance. ‘She’s walking the Inca trail.’

‘And she doesn’t know about me,’ said Essie. ‘How soon after she left did you come and see me?’

‘OK, listen.’ Paul exhaled heavily. ‘I’ve missed you. I wanted us to get back together. And this last week has been great, it’s all going really well, but that wasn’t guaranteed to happen, was it? Things might not have worked out. So why would I want to upset Mum if there’s no need for her to know until we’re sure? I can’t tell her now, because that would just ruin her holiday. But if we’re still going strong when she gets back, I’ll tell her then.’ He shook his head as if she were doubting him. ‘Of course I will!’

‘You should have been honest with me.’ Essie sighed. ‘You told me everything was OK and I believed you.’

‘Oh you mean like you pretended you liked my mother, when all the time you couldn’t stand her? And I only found out how you really felt when I read that letter you wrote after you’d sent it to everyone you knew? Is that the kind of honesty you’re talking about?’

Ah. Bum.

‘Look,’ Paul went on, ‘I know what Mum can be like sometimes, but she’s still my mother. I was devastated when you wrote that letter, you know I was. But eventually we’re all going to be able to put the awkwardness behind us and be happy again.’

Was he right? Essie had been taken aback by his white lie, but it did make sense when you thought it through.

Plus, of course, Paul’s white lie had been relatively minor. What she’d done had been so much worse.

‘So, are we going out for dinner,’ he said, ‘or have you decided you hate me too much?’

A flicker of humour; that was a good sign. He’d explained why he’d done what he had, and she was able to admit he had a point: they did need to be sure the relationship still worked before breaking the news to his terrifying mother.

Even the thought of it made Essie feel a bit queasy. Still, it would be worth it.

Was she happier with Paul than without him, and was he making it easier for her to get over the embarrassing fantasy crush on Lucas?

He had to be making it easier, surely?

‘I’m starving,’ Essie said with a smile. ‘Let’s eat.’





Chapter 35


Essie had just emerged from Bath Guildhall Market with three multicoloured helium balloons bobbing above her head when she spotted Giselle across the road and called out to attract her attention.

But Giselle didn’t hear her. She was leaning on the carved stone balustrade just along from Pulteney Bridge, gazing down into the frothing waters of the famous weir below. Her auburn hair was whipping around her head in the lively spring breeze, her hands were clasped in front of her and she was clearly lost in thought.

Just as Essie was wondering whether to cross Grand Parade and say hello, she saw Giselle straighten up, turn away from the balustrade and pause, staring into the middle distance. The next moment she checked her watch, turned again and without any warning stepped off the pavement into the road just as a—

‘Fucking idiot,’ bellowed the cyclist, swerving wildly to avoid her as Giselle gave a yelp of alarm and stumbled backwards, tripping over the kerb in her haste to reach the pavement. She lost her balance and landed clumsily on her side as the disgusted cyclist rode off, yelling over his shoulder, ‘Serves you right, stupid bint!’