I told her it was fine and I’d already forgotten about it, which I sort of had anyway – it was Alex I was concentrating on. I didn’t understand what I had done wrong that meant she was now just ignoring me. I did think she might just be doing what I do with girls – blank them until they are grateful for whatever attention I show them.
If she was, it worked, because by Wednesday I’d reached the point where I needed to see if she was deliberately cutting me off or was on holiday or something and there was a rational reason for her silence. I’d just pulled into the surgery car park after school to look for her car – I’d decided if it was there, that was it, we were over, I was just going to get on with my life – when a text came through from her. I jumped with shock.
Are you at home?
I’d looked around me worriedly and spied the BMW. She was here somewhere. Could she see me from an office room? Was this a trick question? I decided to just be honest.
No, I’m in your car park at work.
I waited for a moment, but nothing happened. I climbed out of the car and walked up to the surgery hesitantly, then turned right and ventured around the side of the building where I’d seen her disappear off to that first day. There was a door there, but no one around. No Alex waiting for me. I hung about for a moment or two more, but nobody appeared, so I walked back to the car park. I even popped into the chemist, just in case – but she wasn’t there either. Just a couple of old people waiting for prescriptions.
I went back to the car, and as I climbed back in, the crappy mobile finally went off in my hand, making me almost drop it in the scramble to look at the screen.
Go home.
I was confused. Was I being dismissed, or summoned?
Just in case, I started the car and drove as fast as I could back to the house, but she wasn’t there waiting, and I also discovered, when I got up to my room, that my iPhone was missing from my bag. I’d had it when I left school, so some wanker must have nicked it from the passenger seat while I was pratting around outside looking for Alex. I was seriously pissed off by this point, as well as angry with myself. I could do without the hassle of getting a new phone, but far more importantly – I’d blown it with Alex and overstepped the mark. What I’d done must have looked stalker-ish to her, but it really wasn’t. I was actually trying to resolve everything, but then her text had thrown me. I didn’t know what it meant, or what I was supposed to do. I was completely confused, which was probably the point.
On Wednesday, 12 July – a whole two weeks after she’d effectively told me to do one – a message came through with an address and
This Sat – be there at 10 p.m.
That was it – but her precise schedule was a problem. It was Olly’s party, which had been planned for ages to coincide with his parents going to Tenerife. I couldn’t arrive before ten, then go and come back again, or show up as late as eleven either, at my mate’s party. But I wanted to see her, I really wanted to see her.
* * *
So on Saturday morning, I went into Ruby’s bedroom. She was still dozing and Angel was lying on her bed, looking up and wagging her tail when I came in.
‘You know when she wags her tail like that she’s effectively wiping her arse on your bedclothes, don’t you?’ I said as I sat down.
Ruby rubbed her eyes and turned over. ‘What do you want?’
‘Nothing,’ I lied. ‘I came to see if you wanted a tea or coffee.’
Ruby pulled a face. ‘Shut up and just tell me; it’ll be a lot quicker.’
I sighed. ‘Are you in tonight?’
‘Yes, why?’ She looked at me warily.
‘I need some cover for why I’m going to get to Olly’s party about two hours late. Can I say that you had a crisis and I had to be here with you?’
She burst out laughing. ‘Yes, because if that were true, you’d be the first person I’d call.’
‘You might,’ I said and pretended to look hurt.
‘Don’t try your baby deer thing; it’s only Mum that works on. Why are you getting to Olly’s two hours late?’
I hesitated. ‘I can’t tell you. I just need an excuse that they’ll all buy, especially Cherry.’
She frowned. ‘Is what you’re doing illegal?’
‘No, promise,’ I said sincerely.
She propped herself up on her pillow. ‘Are you cheating on Cherry? Because that’s a bit shit if you are. I don’t especially like her and she’s got a balloon instead of a head, but she’s obviously very into you and you shouldn’t knowingly hurt people.’
‘Believe me, Cherry can more than take care of herself. You don’t have to worry about her. Please, Rubes. This is important.’
She looked at me again. ‘So if anyone asks, you’re going to say you’ve been at home consoling me, and as far as Mum and Dad go, you’re going straight to Olly’s?’
I nodded.
‘Are you going to be somewhere safe?’ she said, all of a sudden. ‘You’ll text me when you really do arrive at Olly’s? I’m not doing it otherwise. And you’ve got your pen?’
‘I swear.’ I reached into my pocket and pulled out my insulin pen to prove it. ‘Thanks, Ruby. I owe you one.’
* * *
I started to get ready way too early and was done by seven o’clock. I hesitated and texted Alex.
Can I come at nine, not ten? Would make a big difference to me?
* * *
No, it’s not dark enough then. Someone might see you arrive.
She knew how to make me feel special, that’s for sure. But the thought that I’d actually be with her in two hours overrode everything else. I refused Mum’s offer of an Indian because I didn’t want to smell, having a salad instead – to much piss-taking – and sat on the sofa watching Bridget Jones’s Baby with the three of them, jittering my leg nervously until Dad turned to me.
‘What’s rattled your cage?’
I stopped instantly, shrugged and looked blank. ‘Nothing? I’m going out in a minute, that’s all.’
Dad looked at his watch pointedly. ‘The night’s as good as over!’
‘It’s not even quarter to ten yet.’ I looked at my phone then out of the window. It was dark enough now, surely?
‘Leave him alone, Gary.’ Mum popped a chocolate in her mouth. ‘Just watch the film. You said you were enjoying it a moment ago.’
‘I said it’s better than the first two,’ Dad retorted. ‘That’s not the same thing. McDreamy’s getting on my nerves now and it’s not realistic. She’s stopped smoking just like that, has she? I don’t buy it. Where are you going anyway?’ He swung back round to me, and I jumped guiltily.
‘Olly’s.’
I glanced at Ruby, but she didn’t look up from filing her nails.
‘Make sure you text me, please, if you’re going to be later than one,’ Mum said. ‘And remember that you’ve got school on Monday. It’s not the holidays yet. You got a snack with you?’
‘Yes, of course.’ I stood up – Dad was still looking at me.
‘You’re too smart for your own good, sunshine. You know that?’ he said, and my heart thumped. ‘What is it that you’re really doing?’
‘Excuse me, Poirot, do you mind? I’m trying to watch this, even if you’re not!’ Ruby exclaimed. ‘Urgh – and I think the dog’s doing something in your slipper.’
‘What?’ said Dad in alarm and looked down under the sofa.
Ruby widened her eyes at me, and I legged it.