‘Yeah. They’ve only gone and put down the wrong flooring whilst I was away. Can you believe it? So it’s going to be even longer now before I get rid of them.’
‘I don’t mind the mess, really.’
‘No, I know. But I don’t want you to see it all like this. I want to show it to you all perfect and finished. Hopefully it won’t be too much longer.’
‘OK. But you don’t need to get a room. You can just come to my flat.’
‘Too late. It’s all booked. And dinner. Can you meet me at the restaurant at seven? I’d come and pick you up but this way is much easier.’
For you.
‘When?’
‘Tomorrow, of course!’ he laughed.
‘Oh. I wasn’t sure when you were back exactly. I have an appointment. I’ll have to see what I can do.’
‘But it’s all booked, babe.’
‘I know Calum. I’m sorry. I will try but I can’t arrange things around you if I don’t know when you’re going to be here.’
‘We’re not going to go over that again, are we? You know I’m swamped with work.’
‘No,’ I said, quietly, acutely aware that in the confines of the pickup’s cab, Michael could likely hear every word. ‘I’m just saying…look. I’ll sort something out, OK? Which restaurant is it?’
‘Marco’s.’
‘OK. I’ll meet you there at seven tomorrow.’
‘I’ll make it up to you.’ His voice dropped, ‘I promise.’ I heard something in the background. ‘OK. Got to go. Looking forward to it, babe.’
‘Yes. I –’ But he was already gone.
Michael drove on and although neither of us said a word, I had a feeling we were both thinking a similar thing: The appointment I’d mentioned to Calum was with Michael and scheduled from three until seven. I calculated how long it would take me to get home, change, then get to the restaurant. Way too long. I could squash a dress in my bag, change in the loo at the station and then…I was still going to be late but…
‘We can reschedule tomorrow, if you like.’
I turned my head.
Michael shrugged, his gaze flicking to me briefly. ‘Sorry. Kind of hard not to hear.’
I shook my head. ‘No. It’s fine. And no, I’m not cancelling on you. Absolutely not. He has to realise that I’m not at his beck and call.’
‘Right.’ ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘What? All I said was “right”.’
‘It was the way you said it.’
‘Jesus,’ he sighed. ‘Look, just finish a bit earlier with me. You can change at my place and then still get to the restaurant in time to meet him.’
I looked out of the window, but the darkness now fallen meant I saw little but my own face reflecting back at me.
‘At least he didn’t just turn up tonight and see me looking like this.’
Michael pulled up at a red light and looked over, his brow furrowed. ‘Like what?’
I waved my hands over my face and clothing. ‘This.’
‘You look perfectly…fine.’ The light changed and he found first gear a little more forcefully than he had on previous times. ‘If he can’t see that then the man’s an idiot. Oh, that’s right. He is.’
I threw my hands up. ‘How can you say that? You don’t even know him!’
‘I know all I need to know. He calls and you jump. And apparently expects you to be perfectly dressed and fully made-up whenever he does.’
‘It’s not like that,’ I replied, although there was less conviction in my voice than I had intended.
‘Right,’ he said again.
From the corner of my eye I saw the streetlights flash across us, briefly illuminating Michael’s face with each pass. His jaw was tight and his hands gripped the wheel more intently than they had on the way down. He rolled his neck and, as if sensing my thoughts, flexed his long fingers from the wheel. It was clear neither one of us was going to break the silence, so I rested my head on the window and stared out past my reflection, into the darkness beyond.
‘I’m sorry to have wasted your time today,’ I said, as Michael pulled up outside my flat. ‘I got a little carried away.’
‘You didn’t waste my time. It was good to get out.’ He stopped the engine.
I nodded and gave a tight smile. ‘Right then. I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.’
‘Katie wait.’ Michael’s hand caught my arm as I reached for the door catch. He ran the other hand over his face and gave his overgrown stubble a scratch. ‘I shouldn’t have said anything about your boyfriend.’
I gave a small smile, preparing to accept the apology.
‘How you let him treat you is none of my business.’
The smile left my face.
‘Excuse me?’
‘What?’ he asked, looking at me.
‘Is that your idea of an apology?’
Michael’s face remained blank.
‘You know what?’ I said, grabbing for the catch. ‘You’re pretty unbelievable!’
‘Now what I have done?’ He sat back, apparently genuinely perplexed.
‘That fact that you don’t even know what you’ve done is just – ’
‘Don’t give me that “if you don’t know what you’ve done” shit. You’re better than that and you’re usually not afraid to tell me when I’ve fucked up. Which, by the way, is something you ought to try on your so-called boyfriend. Because from where I’m sitting, he’s treating you like crap and yet you never pull him up on it!’
‘So much for you feeling that you shouldn’t be commenting on my love life! That didn’t last very long, did it?’
‘Maybe because I wasn’t actually sorry in the first place, but felt I ought to say it because for some reason I felt bad for upsetting you!’
‘Maybe because you thought I’d run and tell your sister on you? Well, don’t worry. I had no plans to do that, so feel free to say what you think. I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself. This is between you and me, and whatever I think of you and your misplaced opinions, I would never tell tales to your family. But it’s nice to know that you think I would!’
‘That’s not why I said it. I didn’t think you’d be “telling tales” at all. Besides, it wouldn’t really make any difference bearing in mind Janey has the same opinion of this Colin bloke as I do.’
‘Calum! His name is Calum! And really? You’re going to sit there and lecture about the right way to treat women?’
‘What the hell is that supposed to mean?’
‘You think he’s using me?’
‘I don’t know what he thinks he’s doing. But I think he’s getting it easy, with you just being there when it suits him.’ He held up a hand, as I made to protest. ‘And yes, I know, I know, he’s busy. Jesus, Katie we’re all busy but that doesn’t mean you go weeks without seeing someone you care about if you can help it!’
‘He can’t help it. Don’t you get it?’
‘Kate.