Just a second, I sign to him, gesturing to Ana?s. I’m so flustered I mess it up and have to repeat myself. I’m suddenly very aware of my uniform – grey, long-sleeved T-shirt under green overalls. Not exactly high fashion.
‘It’s not a problem to move from three to four days a week,’ I say to Ana?s, reaching under the reception desk and pulling out the right file. I flip through it and pull out the Day Request form. ‘But it’ll be a notice period of two weeks to make the change, and an increase of ￡30 per month.’
Ana?s nods. ‘I know. I read the forms when I first registered Toulouse.’
‘Here you go, then,’ I say brightly, sliding the form across the desk.
‘Thank you,’ she says delicately, taking a pen from her bag.
What are you doing here? I ask Rhys.
I don’t get an answer until I get rid of Ana?s, who manages to take her time over the form she apparently already knew all about.
Hi, I say again to Rhys, unable to keep the smile off my face. Not that I’m supposed to notice these things, but he looks extra adorable when holding a Labrador puppy.
‘Hi,’ he says out loud. ‘I made a friend!’
I can see that! Shall I take her?
He nods and I lift Sally out of his arms, cuddling her warm body close. I came by to ask you something, and when I got here the bald guy – I assume he means Ivan here – said that you’d probably come through here soon, and in the meantime I should look after the puppy.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Ivan did this on purpose. That man misses nothing.
‘Thanks for holding her,’ I say. Sally wriggles in my arms and tries to lick my face.
No problem. She’s cute.
‘What did you want to ask me?’ My mind has already spun through the options. Will you help me with my Maths homework? Will you eat this cake I brought? Will you go on a date with me? Will you marry me?
It’s my birthday on Friday.
‘Oh!’
Yeah. He rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling. I know. I wanted to keep it quiet, but my parents want to take me out for a birthday dinner on Saturday. And . . . Do you want to come?
I stare at him over Sally’s fuzzy yellow head. What does this mean? Is this a Maths-homework-buddy invite, or a go-on-a-date invite?
My parents suggested it, he says.
Oh. Well that’s my answer, isn’t it?
I want you there too! he adds, looking mortified. But it’s too late.
‘Sure, I’ll come,’ I say. ‘Are you seeing your friends as well?’
Yeah, on Friday night. None of them are eighteen yet, so we can’t go out drinking or anything. He smiles. Maybe next year. But on Saturday, Meg is coming. My friend Meg. You can meet her – I think you’ll get along.
Friend Meg? Did he actually sign girlfriend but I saw friend because it’s what I wanted to see? The signs aren’t similar. I didn’t just hallucinate that, did I? Should I ask? No. No, Steffi.
‘Sure,’ I say again.
Great! He looks relieved. They’re booking a table tonight so I’ll let you know what time and where and stuff.
I give him a thumbs up. ‘I should get back to my shift.’
He nods quickly. Of course. Sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow?
‘Yeah.’
Rhys gives me a little wave before he leaves. I wait until he’s gone before I groan into Sally’s soft fur.
‘Come on,’ I whisper to her. ‘Let’s get you back to your mum.’
Sally yawns, stretches her head against my arm and wees all down my overalls.