Thirty
Mack and I walk back to Claire’s house, with Rosie half asleep in between us.
‘Are you all right?’ Mack asks. ‘You’re very quiet.’
‘Sorry.’ I shake my head. ‘Yes, I’m fine. I had a funny encounter in the ladies’ toilet before we left, that’s all.’
‘Oh, really?’ Mack says, raising his eyebrows.
‘Nothing weird. I mean someone randomly offered me a job. Well, they offered me an interview anyway. But I got the feeling the job was mine if I wanted it.’
‘In a public bathroom?’ Mack asks, sounding every inch the American he is.
‘Yes – pretty odd, isn’t it?’
‘What kind of a job?’
‘Working in the art gallery here in St Felix.’
‘Golly. And do you want to move back here again?’
‘Actually, I do. We both do.’ I look down at Rosie. She’s so tired she’s just about putting one foot in front of the other. I’m sure she isn’t listening to what I’m saying to Mack above her. ‘We were only talking about it yesterday. Oh,’ I say, suddenly remembering. ‘We both wished for it too . . . ’
‘Seems like you might have got your wish. It’s not often someone says their wish came true. Not unless you’re in Magic Kingdom in Disney World, of course.’ He smiles.
‘I haven’t actually got the job yet. And even if I do get it, I haven’t decided if I want to move. It’s a big decision.’
‘Of course.’
‘What do you think?’ I suddenly ask. For some reason, Mack’s opinions matter to me.
‘Me?’ Mack sounds surprised.
‘Yes, I’d like to know.’
‘I think you should do what your heart tells you to.’
‘But what if my heart is fighting with my much more realistic and practical head?’
‘Still listen to it. The heart is a very good judge of everything, I find. It gives you truthful guidance on most things. Even if it makes you fall in love with the wrong person, the feeling isn’t wrong, only the practicality of doing something about it.’
‘Are we still talking about the same thing?’ I ask, frowning.
‘Do you think we are?’
Rosie suddenly stumbles between us, but fortunately we’re both holding on to her, so she doesn’t slip.
‘Luckily we’re nearly at Claire’s,’ I tell her. ‘We’ll soon have you tucked up in bed.’
We arrive at Claire’s house and I invite Mack in – it seems like the polite thing to do. While I’m upstairs getting Rosie into her pyjamas and into bed, Mack is down in Claire’s kitchen making me a cup of tea, and himself a coffee.
‘Is she all right?’ Mack asks as I return back downstairs.
‘Yes, she’s out for the count. Tonight has really worn her out.’
‘She’s not the only one. I think my partying days are over. I’m getting too old.’
‘You and me both.’ I smile at him as I take the mug of tea he’s holding out.
‘Nonsense, you look great for forty,’ Mack says.
‘You lie. But thank you for the compliment.’
‘I only tell the truth.’
Shyly I glance at Mack to see if he really means this or is just messing.
His earnest face suggests the former.
‘Shall we go through to the lounge?’ I say hurriedly, already heading for the door.
‘Sure.’ Mack follows me and sits down on Claire’s huge comfy sofa, so I automatically sit in one of the armchairs.
‘How long are you here for?’ I ask before sipping on my tea. ‘Ooh, you make a good cuppa – well done!’
‘For an American, you mean?’ Mack winks. ‘I fly back on Monday, sadly. Shame, I’d have liked to stay a bit longer this time. But work commitments said otherwise. You’re not the only one who misses St Felix.’
‘Really? Even after all this time?’
‘Yeah, it gets worse as I get older. I don’t think popping back like I seem to keep doing helps too much, either.’
‘I guess it’s so very different from New York – maybe that’s the fascination?’
‘Maybe. Maybe it’s because you’re here every time I visit as well.’
‘Yeah, right,’ I say quickly, brushing off this compliment like I had the first. ‘Is that why you want me to move here, so you have an excuse to come and visit?’ I grin, trying to make a joke.
‘It would definitely be an added bonus.’ Mack is smiling, but his eyes show he means every word.
‘Maybe I should use you living in New York as an excuse to fly over there?’ I continue, still trying to keep it light. Mack was saying things I wasn’t expecting him to, and, although I’m secretly quite enjoying it, I’m also quite confused.
‘If you like? You know I was going to suggest you came over to visit one day – you and Rosie.’
‘I’m sure Rosie would love that. But I don’t think our finances are quite up to flights and hotels. Not right now, anyway.’
‘You could stay with me,’ Mack says. ‘My apartment has two bedrooms. I’ll sleep on the couch.’
I smile. ‘That’s very kind of you, but Rosie and I would share, of course. I’ll keep it in mind should I win the lottery or something.’
‘I’m serious.’ Mack puts his coffee down on the table. ‘I’d love it if the pair of you would come over sometime. I’d offer to pay for your flights, but I know you’d turn me down.’
‘I would, you’re right. Do you know Rob offered to buy me and Rosie a cottage here in St Felix earlier?’
‘Did he?’ Mack says with a wry smile. ‘I should have known he’d outdo me.’
‘It’s not a competition.’
‘What did you say?’
‘About the house? No, of course.’
‘Is that what the two of you were talking about earlier on the beach?’
I’m surprised Mack knows about the beach.
‘That and other things.’
‘You seemed pretty close.’
‘Were you watching us?’
‘No, of course not. I happened to see you through the window, that’s all. Rob’s told me all about your past. I know the two of you were close once.’
‘Once being the important word there. Rob and I are just friends, good friends, in the same way as I’m still friends with all the other mermaids.’
‘Does he know that?’
Why is Mack asking me all these questions. Has Rob asked him to?
‘Yes, definitely after tonight. I was very clear. Well, I hope I was. Has he asked you to question me?’
‘No.’
‘Why are you, then?’
‘Don’t you know?’ Mack asks with an anguished expression.
‘Not really.’
Mack nods slowly, then he stares straight ahead. ‘I thought you might, that’s all,’ he says quietly.
‘Know what?’
‘Why I care what Rob is saying to you, what Rob is thinking about you. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. I don’t want to come between two people who have known each other since school, and who clearly still have feelings for each other.’
‘Even if that was the case, which it’s not – not those sorts of feelings anyway – why would you come between us?’
Mack turns his head and looks me straight in the eyes.
‘Because I have feelings for you, Frankie. In fact, I might even go so far as to say . . . I’m in love with you.’