CHAPTER NINE
‘Er, no. Jensen and I... well, we didn’t swap contact details.’ I shrugged. ‘So that’s that.’
‘Hmmm.’
I shot Loli a suspicious look. ‘What do you mean, hmmm ? It was just a funny little incident that I thought would cheer you up. That’s all. It’s no big deal.’
‘No, of course not. So... how are you going to track him down again?’
I laughed. ‘Whatever makes you think I want to track him down again?’
‘Lisa. You’re my granddaughter. I’ve known you all your life. So I know when you’re not being completely honest with me. You’ve gone bright red, for starters.’
I groaned and shook my head. I could never hide anything from Loli. ‘He was nice.’ I shrugged. ‘Lovely, in fact. And if something was meant to happen, it would have. But it didn’t.’
She gave me a puzzled look. ‘So you meet a lovely man and you don’t think it’s worth trying to find him, just to see if he liked you, too? Because I imagine he did. Well, he’d be a fool if he didn’t . ’
I laughed. ‘Er, I think you might be just the teeniest bit biased there.’
‘Of course I’m biased. But I also know what a wonderful girl you are and that any man worth his salt would realise how lucky he was to have you in his life.’
‘Aw, shucks.’
‘I mean it, Lisa. I hate that you seem to have given up on finding love, especially since I know it’s all my fault.’
‘ Your fault?’ I stared at her. ‘How on earth is my lack of love life your fault ?
She sighed. ‘Because you spend so much of your time making sure I’m okay and neglecting yourself in the process.’ She reached for my hand. ‘Of course, I love that you do. That syrup sponge you brought in the other day for me was just – mwhah!’ She made a gesture of approval, kissing the tips of her fingers. ‘But you really don’t have to spend so much time worrying about me. I’m fine, love. And I’d love it if you would start socialising. That would be the best thing you could do for me, actually – start dating and find yourself a lovely man to settle down with.’
‘Loli!’ I gasped. ‘I’m fine as I am. I really don’t need a man to make me happy.’
‘I know, I know. It’s not the done thing these days to suggest that romance is crucial to a girl’s happiness.’ She smiled. ‘But the thing is, love can make all the difference in the world. Your grandad was my soulmate and, even though he’s been gone almost twelve years now, I still miss him every single day.’
My throat tightened. ‘I know you do.’
Eyes glassy with tears, she squeezed my hand and smiled. ‘I just want you to find the same kind of love. The everlasting sort that you can rely on. Because I’m not going to be around forever, am I? To make sure you’re all right.’
‘Loli!’ I gazed at her, appalled. ‘Where’s all this coming from?’ She was usually so practical and down-to-earth. I’d never known her sound quite so sentimental. And the last thing I wanted to hear – especially today, Mum’s birthday – was that one day she’d no longer be around.
‘Sorry. It’s just I really worry about you. I can’t help it.’
I nodded. ‘I know.’
‘So will you try and find him?’
‘Who?’ I looked down evasively.
She eyed me patiently. ‘You know who. This Jensen. I can tell you thought he was special and I like the look of him. He has an honest face. And a good smile. Why waste the chance to find out if it could be something good?’
I swallowed. ‘Actually, I have tried... to find Jensen again.’
‘Have you?’ Her eyes lit up hopefully. ‘And?’
So I told her about going to the animal shelter but having no luck there, then I mentioned returning to the bench by the river where we met. ‘But obviously it’s a chance in a million that Jensen would just happen to be walking by again at the exact same time.’ I shrugged hopelessly. ‘So that’s that. I liked him but we’re just ships that passed in the night.’
She gave me a sideways look. ‘Well, it’s high time you sailed into harbour and dropped anchor for a while.’
I chuckled. ‘And I still say it’s up to me to decide when the time is right for romance. Because you’re my priority right now.’
‘You’re almost as stubborn as I am.’
‘You are horribly stubborn. Especially about this kidney transplant business.’
She sighed, looking suddenly downcast. ‘You know, I didn’t realise how hopeful I’d begun to feel when I thought that Joan might give me her kidney. The thought of being back to my normal energetic self! But then I got the news this morning that she’s not a match. And now, I just feel... well, devastated.’ She reached for my hand. ‘For you, my darling, as much as for me.’
Emotion welled up inside me. ‘So at least let me get tested to see if I’d be a good match.’
Loli gazed at me sadly, and for the very first time, I saw that she was wavering.
‘Grant me my wish, and I’ll do something for you in return.’ I smiled encouragingly, squeezing her hand in both of mine. ‘I’ll start socialising a bit more. I’ll give romance a chance. I’ll even start looking for Jensen again!’ I was desperate, willing to promise anything to get Loli to agree.
She nodded slowly, thinking.
At last, she sighed. ‘All right. It’s a deal. You find that lovely Jensen. And if it goes well between you, I’ll agree to you getting tested to see if you’d be a match.’
*****
I had to find him.
That was my first thought when I woke the following morning.
I’d wanted to find Jensen even before Loli had given me her ultimatum. But now it was more vital than ever. How on earth would I manage it, though – short of walking around Sunnybrook with a loud hailer offering a reward for anyone who could help me track down a man called Jensen, who had the most beautiful brown eyes flecked with gold!
But then later that day, in an amazing stroke of coincidence and luck, I was coming out of the post office when I actually saw him.
He was striding along the high street, away from me, but there was no doubting the broad shoulders in that dark suit, the long legs and the tawny hair with the slight curl to it.
Jensen!