The Funny Thing About Love

52. Charlie

52

CHARLIE

She flinches and takes a step backwards. ‘What?’

‘I don’t know if you’ve heard,’ I say, ‘but there’s an opening coming up for a full-time job at Punching Up. Writers’ assistant. And they offered it to me.’ Nell’s face hardens, so I rush to make myself clear. ‘I didn’t accept it!’ I blurt. ‘Obviously.’

She blinks and scratches the back of her neck. ‘Oh. OK . . . You could maybe have started with that bit? Instead of going for the dramatic cliffhanger.’

I laugh. ‘Sorry. I thought it would be obvious that I wouldn’t say yes. It’s just ridiculous that they even considered me for it when you’re here. Which is exactly what I told them.’

Her brown eyes widen. ‘You really said that?’

‘Of course.’ It was actually weird how insistent Nate was yesterday. I thanked him for the offer but told him I didn’t think this line of work was right for me in the end. He looked so offended that I even apologised. He just wouldn’t take no for an answer – he started telling me how great I was and how well I fitted in with the team and how they wished I’d reconsider, all while Bishi just sat there silently next to him, staring at her hands. The only time she smiled throughout the whole meeting was when I told them Nell was clearly the perfect person for this job.

‘Nell, you’re so obviously made for this,’ I tell her. ‘The whole time I’ve been here, I’ve been getting special treatment because of who my dad is – and you’ve still managed to totally outdo me in every single area.’ She laughs, and I shake my head. ‘I shouldn’t even have taken this internship. I only really did it to make my mum happy – or at least get her off my back for a while. I walked straight into it because Nick just opened the door, and I never once had to think about how much work and hassle it must have been for you to get in here. Which I guess is what privilege is when it boils down to it – not having to think about that stuff.’

She flashes her amazing smile at me. ‘Are you sure’, she asks, ‘that you don’t want the job?’

‘Nell, come on. I’m definitely no TV writer. You definitely are.’ I shrug. ‘I’ve never really known what my “thing” was, but this week I actually tried to give it some proper thought. I realised the only job I’ve ever had that I actually enjoyed was teaching at this summer camp. So, I’ve been looking at teaching courses – even started filling in an application for one that starts next month.’

She reaches forward to take my hand. ‘Charlie. That’s brilliant. You’ll be brilliant.’

I feel my face flush. ‘Ha. Maybe. Who knows? It does feel good to have actually settled on something though.’ It feels even better to be holding Nell’s hand. I give her fingers a gentle squeeze and she squeezes back. ‘This writers’ assistant job,’ I add. ‘It’s got to be you, Nell. I’m sure Nate will tell you today.’

She lets go of my hand. Her smile dissolves as she stares down at the ground. ‘Maybe.’

‘Obviously!’ I shoot back. ‘Who else could it be? Think of all the amazing sketch ideas you’ve already suggested.’

She puffs out her cheeks and raises her eyebrows. ‘Actually, since we’re confessing and apologising right now, there’s something I need to tell you too . . .’

‘Oh yeah?’

‘Do you remember when we were walking along the river, and I said that thing about my mum being such a Facebook stalker, and you were like, “Hey, that should be a sketch – Facebook Mums Detective Agency?”’

I nod.

‘Well, I actually did write it up as a sketch,’ she says. ‘And Kay DeBlue really likes it. I’m sorry – I feel like I should have told you. Or at least tried to write it with you. I could tell Talia to give us both a credit at the end of the show tonight?’

I laugh. ‘Nell, are you serious? I don’t care in the slightest. Anyway, you’re the one who came up with the idea. I just told you it was good. To be honest, I’m very happy with that being our dynamic from now on – you come up with great stuff and I just confirm how great you are.’

I wince as soon as I say it. I didn’t mean to come out with something quite so Hallmark movie-esque. But Nell bites her bottom lip and then bursts out laughing. ‘Wow. That was . . .’

‘Quite cheesy?’

‘Powerfully cheesy.’ She smiles and reaches for my hand again. ‘But good cheesy. And since we’re already in cheesy mode . . .’ She leans towards me and tilts her head up. And immediately my hands are in her hair and hers are on my back and – oh my God – it feels so good to kiss her again.

But it only lasts a couple of seconds. There’s a noise at the door, and we both pull away, startled. ‘Shit,’ Nell hisses. ‘Was someone there?’

The doorway is empty, but I can hear footsteps thumping off down the corridor. My heart sinks as I go to check. Of course it was Daphne. It had to be Daphne. Oh well – if I have to come clean to her about liking Nell, about having liked her all along, then fair enough. I don’t really mind if Daphne is pissed off at me – I only care what Nell thinks.

But as I peek out of the door I breathe a silent sigh of relief. The only person in the corridor, just disappearing through a door down the end, is Nate.