Let's Call the Whole Thing Off (21 page)

Of course, it explained nothing at all, but I was doing my best to look as though I knew exactly what was going on in my life. I took another glug of champagne and from out of the shadows a waiter appeared and refilled my glass.

‘That guy the other night, the one taking the photos, what was that all about?’

‘Some hack wanting to earn a few bucks. My picture in the paper seems to be of interest to some people. I can’t think why. Sorry if I was a bit brusque. I was trying to ensure you didn’t end up in the paper.’

‘Oh, I see.’ It was all too unbelievable to take in. ‘And I’m sorry about embarrassing you like that. I didn’t realise it was a photographer. I thought I might be involved in a gangland feud, or something.’

‘Right, yes. I can see how that might be a perfectly natural assumption to make.’ He shook his head at me, that deliciously decadent smile on his lips.

So why did you tell me your name was Dave?’

He shrugged and gave a wry smile.

‘The same reason you told me your name was Persephone maybe?’ His deep warm laugh resonated around the bar and his eyes were full of delighted mischief. ‘It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. When you said your name was Persephone, which it clearly wasn’t, I thought I’d be Dave for the night. I honestly didn’t expect to see you again after that first night in the pub so I really didn’t think it would matter.’

‘No, me neither. But was it really that obvious my name wasn’t Persephone?’

He nodded, his fingers playing with the stem of his champagne flute, which was most disconcerting. I couldn’t drag my eyes away, imagining his hands caressing me in the same way.

‘I did Classics at school. I can’t remember much about it now, but one thing I do know is that Persephone wasn’t an exotic flower. She was queen of the underworld, I think.’

‘Great.’ I sighed. ‘I feel such an idiot. I suppose I need to swot up on my Greek mythology if I’m going to give out false names.’

‘Hey, don’t worry about it. I thought your story was particularly charming. It certainly made me smile. Were you really conceived on a Greek island?’

‘No, Hounslow, I’m afraid.’

Our eyes met in laughter.

‘Ah, well, you’ll always be Percy to me, you know that. And the jewellery designing thing?’

I cringed, lifting my shoulders in an attempt to disappear into the depths of my hoodie.

‘I’m an accounts clerk,’ I said, suddenly feeling a tiny bit inadequate. I’d gone from exotic jewellery designer Persephone to little old Anna in the accounts department in a moment, but Dave (if he was going to carry on calling me Percy, I was going to carry on calling him Dave) didn’t bat an eyelid.

‘Ah, I wondered. I did have a little Google and couldn’t find anything about you. I was interested because that’s what I’m doing down here. I’m filming for a new TV series,
The Maverick Mentor
. I’m taking some young kids who haven’t had the best start in life and helping them set up in their own businesses: artists, bakers, car mechanics, that kind of thing.’

‘Oh really. The girl in the café? Is she one of the people you’re helping?’

‘Yes, Natalie. She’s a fashion designer. She’s incredibly creative and talented.’ I was very relieved he didn’t mention her beauty. ‘She’s setting up a small unit on the seafront. T-shirts, beachwear, that kind of thing. I thought, maybe, some of your jewellery might be able to complement her range, but …’

‘No … it’s not going to happen.’ I gave a wry grin. I felt deflated, as if I’d somehow let Dave down. I almost wished I was a jewellery designer now.

‘So, if you didn’t come here for work, what did you come here for?’

‘Oh, I …’ For a brief moment I considered coming up with another half-baked lie, but what was the point. Dave was going home today and soon I would just be a distant memory – that mad dippy woman he’d met at the seaside who pretended to be a Greek goddess. It would make for great dinner-party chat.

‘Honestly?’ I said, before my nerve deserted me. ‘I ran away. Just for a few days. I’m meant to be getting married on Saturday and I just found out my fiancé has been cheating on me.’

Dave winced, chewing on the inside of his lip.

‘Oh, Perce, that sucks. I’m really sorry to hear that. What an arsehole, eh?’

I laughed, appreciating Dave’s concise summing-up of Ed’s character.

‘Yeah, well, I guess these things happen. And better to find out now, I reckon, than after the wedding.’ It was what everyone had told me. If I said it enough times, I might just start to believe it.

‘Ah, and the trip to the Maldives is your honeymoon, I’m guessing.’

‘Yep.’

‘Well, if it’s any consolation I think the guy must be a complete idiot. As well as an arsehole.’

‘Thanks, it does help a bit. What about you? What you told me about your wife, is that true? Please don’t tell me you’re really happily married with four kids. It might just tip me over the edge based on my current predicament.’

‘No.’ He laughed and laid a hand on mine. ‘That part was all true. In fact, I’m officially divorced as of today. No kids.’

That was the best bit of news I’d received all week. I looked around the bar, which was beginning to fill up, mainly with couples enjoying pre-dinner cocktails. My jeans and hoodie ensemble was looking more out of place by the moment.

‘So, I’m pleased to hear you’re not here alone. It must be good to have your friend with you – Sophie, was it? – at a time like this.’

‘Oh well, she’s not actually been staying with me, she’s just turned up today.’ I felt my skin prickle with embarrassment. ‘The thing is she’s actually the girl who’s been sleeping with Ed. She is officially meant to be my best friend, but I think I can safely say she’s now been stripped of that title. They’ve all just turned up here this afternoon.. Ed, my ex; Sophie and my other friend, Ben. I think they thought I might do something stupid.’ I gave a small laugh. ‘But even I’m not that stupid.’

‘So let me get this right. Your flatmate has been having an affair with your fiancé.’

‘Yep.’

‘Double ouch,’ said Dave.

The funny thing was the more I spoke about it, and it seemed I’d spent the whole week talking about nothing else, the more its ability to hurt me with such a shocking ferocity, as it had when I’d first found out, was diminished. It had happened, but I had nothing to feel ashamed about. I was still standing, as Elton would say. Better, more intelligent, more gorgeous, bubblier and thinner people than me had been cheated on. Sadly, I was just one of a not-so-exclusive club.

‘So your fiancé is here? Have you spoken to him?’

‘That’s the thing: I don’t know if he is still my fiancé. And no I haven’t spoken to him. I didn’t want to at first. I just wanted to put as much distance between us as I could. But now I know I need to. There’s so much we have to sort out.’

‘I bet.’ Dave shook his head as if he couldn’t quite believe what I’d told him. ‘And so the wedding’s definitely off?’

I sighed inwardly.

‘I don’t know. Well, we’ll have to see. I really need to talk to him first.’

For some reason I felt disloyal talking to Dave about another man, even if that man was supposed to be the man I was going to marry.

‘It’s just …’ My voice trailed away and Dave gave me a reassuring nod, as if he knew exactly how I was feeling, which was lovely because I didn’t have a clue what I was talking about. Reading that diary had changed everything in my life. Our whole relationship wiped out in a second. I mean, what was there to possibly think about? But talking to Ben and Sophie had planted a seed of doubt in my stomach. Was it possible that I’d over-reacted? Was I being unreasonable in not giving Ed the chance to tell his side of the story? Was I wrecking my whole chance of happiness by not giving Ed a second chance?

‘I’m sorry I’m holding you up here, aren’t I? Why don’t you go? It sounds as though you’ve got plenty you need to sort out. I just wanted to come and say hello. And goodbye. And we’ve done that now. Look,’ he delved into his pocket and pulled out a business card, ‘this has got my personal number on it. When the dust has settled a bit and you’re back in London, give me a call and we can meet for a drink. If you’re married by then, bring along your husband! It would be good to catch up.’

I felt my face fall and a ball of disappointment swell in my chest. I didn’t want to leave, not now, not when I could be sitting here drinking champagne with Dave, although I’d noticed I’d been doing much more of the drinking than Dave. I think I was on my third glass, or possibly my fourth, it was hard to tell. As soon as I took more than a couple of mouthfuls my glass was miraculously refilled by the attentive waiters.

The thought of seeing Dave again in London filled me with excitement but there was no way I could imagine having Ed in tow. This sweet and lovely relationship I had with Dave was one I didn’t want to share with anyone, especially not Ed.

I turned the card over in my hand, still not quite believing I’d somehow managed to get hold of Alexander Fischer’s private number. Dave’s, yes. But this Alexander guy? My head was struggling to believe that the man sitting opposite me was the hugely successful and extremely wealthy telecommunications guru who headed up Fischer Industries.

‘I’d like that,’ I said. ‘But do you have to go now?’ I asked, unsure where my sudden surge of boldness had come from, only knowing that I didn’t want him to leave just yet.

He smiled, his eyes creasing with affection.

‘No, not if you don’t want me to. I just thought…’ He shrugged and held his hands up to the air, as if he was done with too much thinking. ‘I tell you what, how do you fancy some fresh air, a bike ride maybe?’

‘A bike ride?’ I guessed I was more appropriately dressed for a bike ride than I was for sitting in a champagne bar, but I knew which one I would rather be doing. ‘What … do you have a tandem or something?’ Maybe he was some kind of health freak. A lot of these entrepreneur types were.

He gave me that look, the one that said he couldn’t quite believe I’d actually said that.

‘No.’ He was trying not to laugh. ‘I don’t have a tandem, but I do have a motorbike.’

‘Oh yes, of course! I knew that!’ I laughed, trying to cover up my gormlessness. To be honest, though, I think I might have preferred a tandem. At least I might be able to exert a little bit of control over that. ‘I’ve never been on a motorbike before.’

‘Really? Well, you haven’t lived. I thought we might go for a ride along the coast road. It’s a wonderful evening out there.’

‘Sounds cool,’ I said, adopting my best biker-chick attitude.

***

Dave handed me a helmet and I squeezed it on to my head, feeling only slightly ridiculous. He leant over and fiddled with the straps beneath my chin, his fingers scrabbling around on my neck making me giggle as well as sending a disturbing swell of desire along my body.

I looked at the bike with trepidation. It was a monster of a machine; big and black, with huge wide handles. If a bike could be sexy then I guessed this thing would fit the bill, although it also looked vaguely terrifying. I was beginning to wonder if this was such a good idea after all. I wasn’t really an adrenalin junkie and I’d had about as much excitement as I could handle for one week.

Dave had pulled on a black leather jacket, making his chest look even wider and broader than before. With his helmet on, all I could focus on were his dark brown eyes, which were looking at me intensely. I was just grateful for my own helmet so he couldn’t see me blushing.

‘You okay?’ he asked.

‘Fine! Is there anything I need to do?’ I was semi-shouting as I was finding it difficult to have a conversation with a fish bowl on my head.

‘No, just hang on tight to me and you should be okay.’

It didn’t sound entirely reassuring, but I was more than happy to put my entire life in Dave’s hands . He was a capable and confident type and clearly knew what he was doing. If he could run a multi-million international company, I felt certain he could handle a motorbike. At least I hoped he could. He hopped over the bike with athletic ease and I followed suit, although without the athletic ease part. I wrapped my arms around his waist, his body feeling huge in my arms, my thighs resting against his, although I tried hard not to think too much about his thighs. It had to be the most intimate of positions and I felt so glad that this wasn’t a tandem after all.

He called something over his shoulder that I had no chance of deciphering because at the same time he fired up the engine and a throaty roar filled my ears. I squealed and then when he let the throttle out I screamed – actually screamed –, not that anyone was hearing me, as he zoomed out into the road. The speed was unexpected and totally exhilarating as I’d been expecting us to go off at a slow amble, but there was no chance of that. The wind whipped through my hoodie and I felt my cheeks sting with the cold. It was the best feeling ever. I just hung on tighter and rested my head on Dave’s back as I took in the views of the coastline.

Fifteen minutes later we pulled into a small cutaway at the side of the road and Dave climbed off the bike, offering a hand out to me to do the same. He put an arm around my shoulder and we walked to the edge of the cliff top. The view over the curve of the bay was breathtaking and incredibly romantic too, if either of us had been in the mood for romance.

‘It’s amazing, isn’t it? Up here it’s as if you can forget about everything else. All the stresses and pressures of everyday life fade away when you’re confronted with such a beautiful landscape.’

‘Beautiful,’ I agreed, with a sigh. ‘I guess you must have your fair share of stresses being in the import/export business.’ I gave him a sideways glance and a rueful grin.

‘Enough,’ he said, smiling. ‘That’s why I love the bike. It gives me the freedom to just hit the road and escape. Allows me a bit of head room. To get things into perspective.’

‘Yeah, I can see how it would. I can’t tell you how much I loved being on that bike,’ I told him. I turned to look at the monster of a machine, unable to believe the thrill of the ride we’d just been on. ‘Completely terrifying, but absolutely wonderful.’