‘Right, now don’t freak out when I tell you what I’m about to say.’
I released a shaky laugh. ‘Well, that’s making me freak out already.’
‘Nobody said anything because they don’t know how you feel about it, and we know you’ve had a really awful time, but?—’
Her phone rang. She paused to read the screen. ‘James. I’d better answer. Don’t go anywhere!’
She twisted her body round to face the wall in order to drown out some of the noise, pressing her finger over her free ear. I took the opportunity to sneak off. Wandering out of the room, I paused in the hotel foyer. I was sharing a twin room with April, who’d gone to bed with one of the headaches that still plagued her since her injuries, so didn’t want to go to my room. The bar on the other side seemed busy, and not being the kind of woman who feels comfortable sitting and drinking alone late at night, I turned towards the rear exit, which led to a courtyard area.
Initially, the cold night air was a soothing balm against my feverish skin, but as I strolled aimlessly between the empty chairs and tables, I soon needed the shawl in my bag. Fishing it out, my phone came flying out with it, clattering onto the flagstones. I scooped it up, about to zip it safely into the side pocket, when something stopped me.
I checked the time. Nearly midnight. Pacing up and down, I tried to decide what to do. Leave it, and spend a sleepless night wondering, questioning, stressed out? Or phone him, and maybe get some answers, even if they weren’t easy to hear? I dismissedthe lateness of the hour – once Dylan knew why I was calling, he would understand. And the chances were high he would be at home, wherever that was for him now.
Finding a seat at the far end of the yard, looking out across the river, I dialled his number, holding my breath. It rang for so long, by the time it clicked through, I expected the answerphone, so was about to hang up.
‘Hello?’
‘Hi,’ I whispered. I could hear noise in the background – the thump of music, and people talking.
‘Hang on a minute.’ After a few seconds, the background sounds diminished. ‘Hello? Is that Faith?’
I closed my eyes. His voice – oh, I had missed that voice.
‘Yes.’
‘Well, hi.’ He sounded surprised. Maybe a little pleased. ‘Um, how are you?’
‘Marilyn just told me. What you did for Sam.’
‘Oh. Right.’
‘I just wanted to say…’ I stopped. If I spoke any quieter, he wouldn’t be able to hear me. Clearing my throat, I tried again. ‘I wanted to say thank you. And I’m sorry.’
‘You’re welcome. And I’m sorry, too.’ His voice grew soft now. I swallowed back the tears and kept going.
‘And I’d really like to talk to you about it sometime, if that’s okay. Not now, I mean; I’m supposed to be celebrating. But when I’m home, if you don’t mind.’
‘I don’t mind at all.’
‘Right. Well, it sounds like you’re busy, so I’m going to go, try to pull myself together, and get back to the party.’
‘Okay.’
‘We came third, did you hear?’ I asked, suddenly reluctant to end the call.
‘I heard. You were amazing.’
I couldn’t help smiling. Swinging my feet back and forth like a teenager talking to that boy she dreams about. ‘Well, I don’t know about that. Marilyn had to step in for Janice at the last minute, and while she got most of the dance moves down, some of those high notes had an added twist I hadn’t heard before.’
‘I thought it was the best you’d ever sung.’
‘What?’ A spurt of adrenaline whooshed into my bloodstream.
‘Breathtaking. I may have even cried. Which I’m allowed to, because I’m a minister and therefore kind of feeble.’
If it was possible, my heart pounded even faster.
‘I also thought you looked fantastic. Far better looking than the Glaswegians. If they were judging it on entertainment factor, Millie’s hat should have swayed it in your favour.’
