He tuts at my interruption. ‘Yes. She’s spending some timetravelling around Finland apparently. Totally bizarre if you ask me.’
I smile to myself. That makes sense actually. Finland is where Lapland is. I bet she’s heading over there to search for Santa Claus. Those Christmas jumpers she wears are just the tip of her obsessive festive iceberg.
Mack waves his hand. ‘Either way, it means there’s room in the budget to try out a new role. A sort of head of events, if you’re up for it?’
Clara gasps. ‘Are you serious?’
He rolls his eyes as Salma squeals. ‘This is amazing!’
I step forward. ‘She’ll take it,’ I say firmly. My sister may not be into books, but she is incredibly charming, creative and great at corralling people and organizing joyful things. This is what the library needs to inject a whole new energy and life into the space. ‘Clarais exactly what the library needs.’
My sister gives me a gooey look, then screams and throws herself at Mack for a hug. He recoils with genuine horror and blushes deeply. It’s kind of endearing.
‘I’m going,’ he says shortly. ‘You can start on Monday. Two-week trial period. I’ll email you so we can talk terms.’ He leans closer. ‘The pension contribution isamazing.’
‘Thanks so much!’ she shouts after him as he run-walks away, towards the taxi rank. ‘I can’t believe that just happened,’ she murmurs as our car finally arrives. We start to pile in, everyone immensely cheered up, when a figure runs up to the door.
‘Guys, wait!’ It’s Milo Samuels and he’s breathless as he leans on the open car door. ‘I just wanted to say I’m sorry you got fired, Clara,’ he tells her genuinely, as we all stare at him, open-mouthed. ‘I think you were the best PR I’ve ever had.’
‘Really?’ she says, beaming at him.
‘Really.’ He smiles back, then frowns, fingering a bit of missing hair. ‘I mean, the gum thing was weird…’
Harry leans in and says, ‘It was my fault. Overly enthusiastic Heimlich,’ he explains, and Milo takes a second then nods.
‘Er, OK.’ He glances over at me, a strange look on his face. ‘Are you feeling better, Jemma?’
I nod. ‘I owe you another apology…’ I say, ‘… er, about throwing up on your shoes. Um, sorry. You can send me the cleaning bill.’
He bites his lip to stop from laughing. ‘You don’t owe me anything.’ He’s looking at me intensely, his dark eyes boring into mine. ‘I think it was probably better than swallowing it.’ He raises his eyebrows and I feel my face flame. I cannot wait for this awful day to be over, and yet, I like this moment right now. ‘I’d better go,’ Milo says after another, brief, moment. ‘I can’t risk Katies calling the police on us; she’s been quite close to it all evening.’
He grins as we all say our goodbyes. Clara is glowing with happiness as we finally take off in our taxi. She babbles excitedly the whole way home about her plans for the library.
‘Everything’s worked outperfectly!’ she declares, bouncingin her seat and holding hands with Salma and Harry, either side of her. ‘This job is so right for me, I can’t tell you. I’m totally going straight home to start researching authors who are on tour and how to set up local book clubs! It’s going to be brilliant!’ she beams. ‘Andthings aren’t completely ruined with Milo, right? I can’t believe he came out to say bye! I think he actually likes me, don’t you think?’ Harry lets go of her hand, looking out the window. ‘And you’ve got that radio interview booked in with him, right, Salma?’
Salma nods her confirmation. ‘In a couple of weeks. To coincide with the final episode of the series. It’s the same day as your mum’s wedding actually, but it’s late afternoon. I can still make the vows and wedding lunch.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ Clara says eagerly. ‘And then I’ll finally actually just give Milo my number. No more messing about. Everything’s going to come together exactly as it’s meant to.’
I smile, listening to her, feeling all warm inside. Yes, I’ve had a disgusting twenty-four hours of being a drunken mess, followed by being a vomity mess. I’ve humiliated myself on so many different levels – in front of a handsome TV star no less! But I still feel happy. Because Clara is happy. I’m happy for her.
I’ve really misjudged her these last few months – these last twenty-eight years in fact. She’s well meaning. All the immature selfish stuff that bothered me so much seems dumb now.
I’ve not been fair on her. Not for a long time.
We climb out of the cab back at home, with Harryleaning across to pay, as we laugh about ordering yet another takeaway.
Oh. There’s a man on our doorstep.
‘Er, hello?’ I call out, interrupting Clara debating the nearby Thai place versus the local Chinese.
‘Hi,’ he replies, lifting a hand in greeting. Even from that one syllable I can make out an American accent.
Beside me, Clara freezes, dropping her gym bag on the pavement. ‘Careful!’ I scold, then catch her expression. She’s white as a ghost, staring at the man. Shit, is he a recent one night stand or something?
‘Clara—’ he begins, and at that one single word, she turns around, literally running away down the high street.
I stare after her, completely stunned.
