‘It’s the last thing on my mind,’ he promises. ‘I really like her. I have for a long time.’
‘I think you two would make a great couple. Your mutual adoration of Take That has to be a great foundation for a relationship.’
‘To be honest,’ he murmurs back. ‘Even though I do love them, the reason I travel all over the place to gigs is really to see Charlie.’
‘Seriously?’ I laugh at that.
‘Don’t tell her,’ he says. ‘Not yet, anyway.’
‘My lips are sealed.’ What a turn up for the book. I never realised that Nice Paul is more of a Charlie fanboy than a Take That devotee. I’m pleased though.
So I kiss them both goodnight then I leave the hardcore fans to their partying and head up to my room to lick my wounds.
In the cramped room with a view of a brick wall, I undress and take a quick shower. The tepid water drips out of an ancient tap. The bed’s lumpy, the linen threadbare. I don’t like to think of who’s slept in here before. I lie on the bed, reluctant to get under the covers. Besides, the night is warm, clammy and there’s no air-conditioning. Thoughts of Mason, Joe, my ex and even Gary Barlow swirl in my head, making sleep impossible. After a while, I abandon all hope of rest and get up again. I dress and head downstairs. It’s late and there are just a few stragglers left in the bar. Of Charlie and Nice Paul there’s no sign.
In the wee small hours of the night, I hit the streets of Paris. The restaurants round here are closed up now, the cobbled streets all but deserted. It’s nice, soothing. I walk without really knowing where I’m heading, just taking in the sights, the night. I put my earphones in and listen to Take That as I meander through the streets, passing the odd party of drunken revellers – many of them middle-aged women in Take That T-shirts.
I find myself on the Champs-élysées once more and turn towards the Eiffel Tower. I’d like to see more of this beautiful city. It has so much to offer and a dozen weekend trips wouldn’t even scratch the surface. I’d like to do it properly one day. Then I think that I have nothing to go back for. There’s no one waiting for me at home. Mason has our train tickets and I’ve no intention of travelling back with him by my side, so I’d have to buy another one for myself anyway.
I look at the magnificent monument ahead of me, illuminated against the night sky. It looks like a beacon of hope. What if I didn’t go home? Who would care? It would mean losing my job, but I can hardly work for Mason now, can I? I could do this. I could stay here for a few days, a few weeks, a few months even. However long it takes. I have nothing to go back for.
I get a thrill of excitement in my stomach as I contemplate the logistics of it. Is it even possible? Yet the more I think about it, the more I want to do it.
Chapter Ninety-Seven
I spend the rest of the night plotting and planning, thinking how this might work and arrive back at the hotel in time to see the coach arrive to take the Take That fan club home.
Charlie’s pacing the pavement. ‘I’ve been out of my tiny mind,’ she says when she sees me. ‘I came along to your room to get you for brekkie, but there was no one there. You’re not answering your phone either, you muppet.’
‘Oh. I turned it off so that I couldn’t hear Mason calling me.’
She tuts. ‘Where have you been?’
‘Just walking,’ I say. ‘And thinking.’
‘Oh, God. Not that again.’
I laugh. ‘I’m going to stay in Paris.’
‘What?’
‘I’m not coming home. Not yet. I’m going to stay here for a while and get to know the place.’
My friend looks horrified, as if I’ve told her that I’m not really mild-mannered Ruby Brown, but a mass murderer. ‘For how long?’
‘I don’t know. As long as it takes. Until my money runs out.’
‘You can’t,’ she wails at me. ‘It’s probably illegal or something.’
‘I really want to and I’m not planning to be here for ever. Just until I get my head straight.’
‘Come home,’ she begs. ‘We can get your head straight on cheap wine and chick-flicks. What will I do without you?’
‘You’ll be fine.’
‘Plan this properly,’ she says. ‘Paris will still be here in a few months.’
‘I want to stay,’ I assure her. ‘It’s an adventure.’
‘This is because of Mason, isn’t it?’
‘Partly,’ I admit. ‘But I have no ties, no commitments. I’ve never done anything wildly spontaneous in my life. There’s a bit of spare money in my bank account. If I don’t do this now, when else will I be able to?’
‘Have you told that shagging shit?’
I shake my head. That’s one call I can’t make. If I never speak to Mason again it will be too soon.
‘What shall I tell him?’ Charlie asks.
‘Tell him to fuck himself,’ I suggest.
She shrugs. ‘OK.’
I hug Charlie to me. ‘I’ll be fine. We’ll FaceTime every day. You’ll hardly notice I’m gone.’
‘I’m going to have to leave the Butcher’s Arms too, aren’t I?’
‘Don’t rush into anything. You like that job.’
‘I’ll want to punch Shagger Soames every time I see him. I knew no good would come of this.’
‘I should have listened to my bestie.’ Then I check my watch. ‘Your coach will be leaving soon.’
‘I’d better go and help Paul. He’s gone to get our luggage to bring it down to reception.’
‘How did it go with him?’
She waggles her eyebrows mischievously. ‘No condoms left.’
‘None?’ Charlie flushes. ‘Wow. Good girl. Did you close your eyes and think of Gary Barlow?’ I tease.
‘No. I didn’t.’ She sounds surprised at her own admission. ‘We had a great night. He’s very caring.’ A little sparkle comes to her eyes when she speaks about him. It’s nice to see her happy and glowing. ‘I like him, Ruby. Really like him. Do you think there’s a chance it will work out for us?’
‘I think you’re lovely together. He doesn’t even mind competing with Gary Barlow.’
‘I know.’ Then her eyes fill with tears. ‘I’m frightened to let him close, Ruby.’
I take her by the arms. ‘I fully understand why, my love, but give it a chance. He seems like one of the good guys.’
‘He does.’ She brushes away her tears. ‘Come home soon. I’ll miss you too much.’
I hug her again. ‘I’ll be back as soon as the money runs out.’
‘Take That are playing the Albert Hall for Christmas. I’ve got gold circle tickets for us as a surprise pressie. You can’t be away for that.’
‘It sounds fantastic.’ I kiss her cheek. ‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
‘You’d better not,’ she warns.
Then Nice Paul arrives, struggling with all of their luggage. So we take some of the bags from him and Charlie say, ‘She’s not coming back with us.’
‘Wow,’ Paul says.
‘Long story. Charlie will explain.’ I walk with Charlie down to the coach and hug her again. She cries a bit more. ‘Look after her,’ I say to Nice Paul.