Three Amazing Things About You (36 page)

She paused, smiling, imagining the worried look on his face. Then added:
Really, I’m fine. Xxx

All the other texts she’d sent this morning had ended with three kisses. It wasn’t until she’d pressed Send that Hallie realised she’d done it again.

Whoops. Oh well, maybe another time it would be more embarrassing. But today, frankly, she had other, more pressing issues on her mind.

Flo made her way along Princess Victoria Street in Clifton, moving sideways to avoid an overweight man with a whippet on a red lead. Passing the florist’s shop, she waved and mouthed hello to the friendly girl who ran it. The mingled scents from the galvanized-silver buckets of flowers reminded her of something she really didn’t need reminding of, seeing as it would be imprinted on her brain for ever. This time two weeks ago, she’d been standing outside the crematorium after Zander’s funeral, gazing at the rows of wreaths and cellophane-wrapped bouquets, while fretful spots of rain had fallen and grey clouds had scudded by overhead.

Today, in contrast, the temperature was up in the eighties, an unrelenting sun was beating down and Flo’s hair was sticking to the back of her neck. She’d finished her shift at Nairn House and now needed to pay a visit to the supermarket. She’d initially thought she might take a few weeks off, but it hadn’t worked out that way at all. Sitting at home with nothing to occupy her mind had turned out to be akin to solitary confinement in prison. Keeping busy was the answer, and going back to work had been a lifesaver, especially since – as Margot had so wisely pointed out – the majority of the residents of Nairn House knew just what she was going through. Nobody minded if she had a bit of a cry. They understood that she wasn’t going to be as cheerful as usual. They also kept offering her biscuits she didn’t have the appetite to eat.

Anyway, supermarket. At least there’d be air-conditioning to look forward to. Flo took a couple of deep breaths and paused to pull the small bottle of water out of her bag. She uncapped it and took a swallow. Eurgh, warm. Even more eurgh, shoals of little black dots were starting to cloud her vision and a woolly sensation had begun to invade her brain.

Oh God, don’t say she was going to faint; this hadn’t happened since she was a teenager during an overlong morning assembly at school. Panicking, she ducked into relatively empty Waterloo Street and leaned against the pink-stuccoed outer wall of an antiques shop. But the black dots were expanding, the buzzing in her ears was growing louder and the bones in her legs appeared to be turning to Play-Doh . . .

The next moment, opening her eyes, she was flat out on the cobblestones with the contents of her handbag scattered around her and the now-empty plastic water bottle lying in the gutter. Someone was holding her head and simultaneously reaching for her turquoise purse.

‘Oh please don’t take it . . .’ Flo tried to sit up and stop them; the money wasn’t important, but the purse had been a present from Zander. ‘Please.’

‘I’m not stealing your purse, I’m putting it back. Have you ever fainted before?’

‘At school, when I was thirteen.’ Staying where she was and woozily recovering her bearings, Flo watched as the man collected up the rest of her belongings and returned them to her bag. His other hand was supporting the back of her head, keeping it off the stony ground. It took a few seconds before the penny dropped. ‘Oh, it’s
you
. Hello.’

She might not know his name, Flo realised, but he was no stranger. Since the fateful tomato soup incident back in January, she’d seen him a few more times, though he no longer sat outside the pub on Princess Victoria Street.

‘Hi. I’d ask how you’re feeling, but that would probably be a silly question.’

‘Well, I’ve had better days.’ She managed a brief smile in return. ‘Actually, not so bad now.’

A woman from the antiques shop came out with a glass of cold water, and Flo drank it down gratefully in one go.

‘Where do you live?’ said the man.

‘Caledonia Place.’

‘OK, can you stand? Let me help you home.’

Flo took a few deep breaths. Once she was on her feet and fairly sure she wasn’t about to collapse again, they made their way carefully around the corner.

‘Thanks,’ she murmured as they walked. ‘Sorry I’m being slow. My head’s still a bit muzzy.’

‘You’ll probably feel rubbish for a while. Wiped out. Take it steady.’ He held her arm as she wavered. ‘I’m Jason, by the way.’

‘And I’m Flo. Haven’t seen you around lately.’

‘I’ve got a job.’ Jason announced it with pride. ‘Washing up in the new Italian restaurant down the road. Sorry, do I sound smug? That’s because I am.’

She smiled. ‘That’s brilliant. Well done.’

By the time they reached the flat, Flo was perspiring and feeling light-headed again, and needed Jason’s help up the staircase.

‘This is really kind of you,’ she said as he guided her across the living room and over to the sofa. Legs wobbling, she collapsed on to it in the nick of time. Oh, the relief of sitting down.

‘No problem. Can I get you anything?’

Her mouth was like cotton wool. ‘I’d love a cup of tea. Two sugars, please.’

He was back from the kitchen thirty seconds later, holding the almost empty litre carton of milk from the fridge. ‘This has gone off, I’m afraid. It’s sour.’

‘God, sorry. Yes, I knew that.’ Life at the moment was full of too many things to remember; it was a constant battle to stay afloat. ‘I was on my way to the supermarket when I fainted.’

‘Was that the list that fell out of your handbag? There’s no way you’re up to shopping now,’ said Jason. ‘Would you like me to go to the supermarket for you?’

She hesitated. ‘I don’t want to put you out.’

‘Honestly, not a problem. Happy to help. Here.’ He passed over her handbag and Flo gave him the list she’d compiled, then opened her purse. When she paused for a second, Jason said, ‘It’s OK, I promise not to run off with your money.’

‘Don’t even say that.’ Unable to remember what she’d written down, she handed him three twenty-pound notes. ‘There, that should be enough. Thank you so much.’

‘My pleasure.’ Was he secretly wondering why she was looking so awful? If he was, he didn’t ask. Glancing at the items scribbled on the shopping list, he said, ‘I’ll be back in half an hour. You stay where you are.’

The weakness and wooziness had receded by the time the doorbell rang twenty-five minutes later. Flo buzzed him in and said, ‘Really, thanks so much for this,’ as he carried the bags past her into the kitchen.

‘Stop it. Do you have any idea how good it makes me feel, being in a position to help someone else?’ Jason was in his forties, thin and wiry, with well-muscled arms and a scar across his left temple. But his voice was gentle, his expression compassionate. ‘You helped me out. I’m just glad to have a chance to return the favour.’

As he spoke, he was efficiently unpacking the three supermarket carriers on the table. She’d pretty much run out of all the essentials, so there was fresh milk, bread, butter, eggs, coffee and tissues, along with ham, Marmite, two packets of liquorice allsorts and three bottles of Tabasco.

‘OK, all that chilli sauce isn’t for me.’ Feeling the need to explain, Flo said, ‘I work at Nairn House, and one of the residents asked me to get it for her. She likes to keep a good supply . . .
oh
.’

Her voice faltered as Jason took the last item out of the carrier bag and said mildly, ‘Is this for one of the residents too?’

Flo sat down at the kitchen table and felt her own heartbeat thundering in her ears. She’d compiled the shopping list during her lunch break, sitting outside in the shade with Annie and Bridget. Annie, as nosy as ever, had peered over and said, ‘Two packets of liquorice allsorts?
Really?
’

‘I’ve eaten most of Margot’s, so I’m replacing them. And the other bag’s for me.’

‘Didn’t think you liked liquorice allsorts,’ said Bridget.

Flo had shrugged. ‘I just fancied them for a change.’

And Annie, never backward in coming forwards, had said bluntly, ‘Oh love, you’re not pregnant, are you?’

It was a completely ridiculous question. For a couple of seconds the possibility skittered through Flo’s brain . . . They’d been careful, hadn’t they? And her period was late, but after the shock of the accident, that was only to be expected. Oh no, the prospect was too terrifying to contemplate; she shook her head rapidly, let the idea scurry away and said, ‘No, of course I’m not.’

But while she’d been adding Tabasco to the list, she’d been aware of Annie and Bridget exchanging significant glances.

It couldn’t happen. She wasn’t even going to think about it.

Now, her hand trembling slightly, she said, ‘Can you pass me the shopping list, please?’

There were all the items she’d written down in blue ballpoint. And there at the bottom of the page, in Annie’s handwriting in black felt-tip pen, was:
pregnancy testing kit.

Subtle as ever.

‘Sorry.’ Jason followed the direction of her gaze. ‘Was I not supposed to buy that?’

‘No, it’s fine. You were.’ Oh God, and she’d fainted; was that another sign?

‘Right.’ He pulled a face. ‘Thought for a moment it was some kind of joke.’

‘It wasn’t.’ The effort of not thinking the unthinkable was making Flo’s mouth dry and her jaw ache. ‘Thanks for getting it.’

‘Caused a few raised eyebrows, I can tell you.’ Reassured, Jason broke into a grin. ‘They all know me in that supermarket, and you know what Clifton’s like for gossip. Mary on the checkout whispered, “Oh dear, good luck, love,” whenƒshe put it through the till. Anyway, here you go.’ He’d reboiled the kettle and made her the promised mug of tea. ‘I’ll be off now. Want me to carry this into the living room for you?’

‘Thanks.’ Flo followed him across the hall and settled herself back on the sofa.

‘You’re still not looking well,’ said Jason. ‘Might be an idea to see your doctor. Especially if you’re . . .’ He gestured awkwardly in the vicinity of his own flat stomach.

‘I will.’ Flo nodded and saw him notice for the first time the sympathy cards lined up on the mantelpiece.

He turned and said with compassion, ‘Oh dear, poor you, looks like it’s all happening at once. Who died?’

Poor Jason was unprepared for the answer she was about to give him. ‘My boyfriend,’ said Flo.

‘Here we are.’ Flo held up the bottles of Tabasco. ‘Did you think I’d forget them?’

‘Honestly?’ said Margot. ‘Yes, I did. Not that it would have mattered a bit,’ she went on as Flo lined up the bottles on the kitchen worktop. ‘And I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had. After Yves died, my memory was like a smashed mirror. I could barely remember my own name.’

‘Same here. That’s why I wrote a list. And I bought these for you too.’ Flo produced one of the packets of liquorice allsorts. ‘To make up for eating the last lot.’

‘Oh darling, you didn’t need to do that.’

‘Well I thought I should. This way I’ll be able to pinch a few more while I’m working.’ She paused. ‘I never used to like liquorice.’

‘Didn’t you?’

Flo shook her head. ‘When I told Annie I’d started eating it, she asked me if I was pregnant.’

Margot put down her iPad and removed her reading glasses. ‘And?’

‘I took a test last night.’ It had taken her until midnight to pluck up the courage to do it.

‘And?’ said Margot again.

Just say it
. Flo took a deep breath. ‘And . . . it turns out Annie was right.’

‘Oh goodness. Oh my darling.’ Margot reached out to clasp her hand. ‘It’s not often I’m at a loss for words, but this is one of those moments.’

‘You’re the first person I’ve told.’

‘And how are you feeling about it?’

‘Shocked. Scared. Overwhelmed.’ Flo paused, eyeing the packet of allsorts on the worktop and yearning to open it. ‘Confused. That was last night. Then I went to bed, thinking I wouldn’t get any sleep at all. But I
did
sleep, better than I have since the accident. And when I woke up this morning, it suddenly seemed like a good thing, a perfect present from Zander. And I’m just so glad it’s happened, I really am.’

Margot nodded with satisfaction. ‘In that case, come here . . .’ She threw her arms around Flo and hugged her. ‘It
is
a good thing, I promise you. The best surprise present you could have. Congratulations!’

‘Thanks.’ It wouldn’t be easy, Flo knew that, but it felt right and she was going to give it her very best shot.

‘I’ve just thought of something,’ said Margot. ‘That ridiculous fortune-telling woman at the summer fair who got everything wrong . . .’

‘I know.’ The irony of it hadn’t escaped Flo either.

‘Didn’t she say you and Zander would have two children?’

How they’d laughed at hopeless, incompetent Madam Zara with her wild guesses and her wonky eyeliner.

Flo pulled a face. ‘I’m not sure I could cope with twins.’

It was the last week of September, and the first signs of autumn were making themselves known. Through the windows, the leaves on the trees outside were starting to turn, various shades of green edging into ambers, pinks and browns.

Hallie’s phone began to ring. She saw who was calling and pressed Answer. ‘Hi.’

‘Hey,’ said Bea. ‘Where are you? What are you doing?’

The questions her oldest friend had been habitually asking her for years. ‘Oh, nothing much. Just finished a 5K run. I’m going to dive into the pool next, probably swim twenty or thirty lengths. Then after that I’m planning to head over to the restaurant and have a nice lunch with this friend of mine, I forget her name . . .’

‘Her name is
Bea
, and she’s wondering if you’ve happened to notice the guy over to your right.’

‘Which guy?’

‘The one on the cross-trainer. Black vest, gorgeous biceps. Gorgeous
everything
.’

‘I
may
have noticed him . . .’

‘Yay!’

‘No, not yay.’ Twisting round to survey Bea over by the rowing machines at the other end of the gym, Hallie said, ‘I also noticed his wedding ring.’

‘Oh bum, that’s a shame. You could have asked him to join us for lunch.’