Chapter 21
FLORENCE
The second we step out of Jane’s house, I march ahead.
He annoyed me as we’re supposed to be a team and do things together.
This is all because I was giving Jane tips on her social media, and he didn’t like it.
I don’t know why I even suggested working as a team with Clark because he doesn’t listen.
‘Florence, wait,’ he says, running after me.
I don’t turn around. ‘See you later, Clark.’
‘You were the one who said we don’t have much time,’ he says, which makes my irritation levels rocket. ‘I was simply following your lead.’
‘Liar,’ I shout and carry on.
He’s behind me. ‘Are we not going to talk about this?’
‘I have nothing to say to you,’ I growl and turn around. ‘That wasn’t teamwork in there with Jane.’
His piercing green eyes lock onto mine. ‘You started it.’
‘I was giving Jane some helpful advice on social media.’
He sighs and says, ‘You were, and that was annoying. Then you smiled at me in a particular way, and it fired me up.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.
’ It’s a lie. I do know the smile of mine he’s referring to, and over the years, it has given me so much pleasure because it annoys the hell out of him.
It started at school when he kissed one of my friends.
I was so annoyed with her because she knew I disliked Clark that I snogged her ex-boyfriend, who happened to be one of Clark’s friends.
The look of horror on Clark’s face was unforgettable, so I cast him my special victorious smile.
From then on, I used it whenever I felt like I’d won an imaginary battle.
‘If you’ll excuse me, I have a business to manage.’
‘Fine. See you later,’ he snaps.
On my journey to the café, I curse him and wish my whiteboard were there instead of at home, so I could let out some of my frustration.
I hold open the café door for two customers, one of which says, ‘The start of the heatwave today. Going to be a hot one.’
‘You don’t look happy,’ remarks Laura as I stride into the café. ‘Who has annoyed you? Don’t tell me – Clark?’
There’s a low rumble of a passing train at the nearby station.
The urge to get everything off my chest is strong. ‘I can’t go into details, but last night Clark and I went through something very stressful,’ I explain to her. She arches her eyebrows in shock.
‘It worked out okay in the end. No panic. We were both so relieved and overcome with joy. I then got carried away and…’
‘Jumped into bed with him?’ Laura asks, with a serious expression.
I stare in horror at her. ‘No, why would you think that?’
She shrugs. ‘You both give off an enemies-to-lovers trope vibe.’
‘Not you as well? That’s what my friend Ruth says. It’s nonsense.’
Laura is studying my face. ‘You do know he’s the only one who causes your face to flush.’
‘Stop it,’ I snap. ‘It’s warm outside and Chris is my true love.’
‘I still don’t think he’s legit. Anyway, what did you and Clark do?’
I take a deep breath. ‘We agreed to work together on a project.’
Laura blinks. ‘A project? You and him?’
With a shake of my head, I pick up a cloth and start giving the counter a thorough clean. ‘It won’t work because he doesn’t understand the concept of teamwork.’
The café is filled with the sound of a long, metallic wail of a train breaking suddenly.
Laura gives a puzzled look before heading into the kitchen.
Clark has been on my mind. I glance at the clock.
There’s an hour to go before closing time, and I am debating whether to close early.
Laura left at lunch because she had the afternoon off and wanted to buy an outfit for her date with Ronan.
Once again, I got a bit emotional at the thought I might not see her again if Clark and I fail.
Before she left, she gave me an odd look as I released her from a tight hug.
‘You’ve been wonderful to me, Laura. Give my love to Molly and tell her to work hard at school. ’
So, it’s just me and my empty café. I’ve just phoned Mum and told her what a great mother she’s been. She thanked me and asked whether I’d been gardening again.
I look at the clock and ask myself why I’m standing here – with no drinks to serve or toasties to make – when it could potentially be my last day.
I can feel myself wobble again. It’s time to close early and go help Clark with Jane’s podcast. I race to the café door and flip the closed sign. After collecting my bag and my denim jacket, I stand and survey my beloved café. I take in a shaky breath and catch sight of the stairs leading upstairs.
Maybe if another miracle happens and we’re given another chance I might venture up there? Giving it a lick of paint might not be that hard. Mum would be pleased if I made Dad’s dream come true. Also, if she did sell this place, two floors might have more buyer appeal.
On the way home my mind replays what Laura assumed earlier in the café – that I’d jumped into bed with Clark. ‘Ridiculous,’ I mutter, taking off my denim jacket as the late afternoon sun is hot. ‘Why would anyone think that I find Clark Fielding attractive?’
As I turn into the cul-de-sac, I decide to switch my focus.
I need to prepare for a battle with Clark.
He’ll be lecturing poor Jane on how she should record her podcast, and she’ll be wishing he had never asked her.
I think about how annoying he was this morning and as I stand on his doorstep, I am ready to give him hell.
He opens the door in a T-shirt, shorts and flip flops.
His white T-shirt disarms me. It’s a little snug, hugging his broad chest and arms. The colour contrasts with his golden tan and I skip a breath.
His eyes widen, and for a few seconds, I wonder whether he’s surprised to see me. ‘You’re early,’ he says.
My attention slips back to his T-shirt. It’s like the perfect fit for his broad frame…
What am I doing? I have a job to do.
I enter his living room, where Jane and Jack look up from his sofa. She smiles and holds up some sheets of A4 paper. Jack is clutching a microphone. ‘Clark’s helping me record my first episode,’ she says. ‘Do you want to hear the intro we’ve come up with?’
They’re all looking like they’re having fun. This is not what I expected to see.
‘Yes,’ I say, sitting down opposite her and Jack. Clark comes to perch on the sofa arm near me.
‘Are you ready, Florence?’ she asks, throwing me an excited look before pressing play on her laptop.
The room is suddenly filled with the saddest music I have ever heard. By the time Jane’s voice can be heard introducing the podcast, I am on the verge of tears. It’s giving me dramatic and tragic vibes. The way Jane’s voice comes through is good, but the music must change.
‘Atmospheric, isn’t it?’ Clark gushes. ‘I think it’s emotional and soulful. Just what this podcast for lonely people needs.’
I shake my head. ‘If I listened to this, I would get depressed quickly and press the skip button.’
‘Really?’ Jane asks. ‘I did wonder whether it was too dark.’
I can hear Clark huffing. ‘Florence, it’s a podcast for lonely folk. It’s not going to be jolly and full of laughs.’
He’s so annoying. I need to put him right. ‘Clark, the podcast is also about hope. There is life and connection after loneliness.’
Jane’s face lights up. ‘Right – that’s exactly what I wanted it to do.’
I cast him one of my triumphant smiles. ‘The music at the start needs to signify that. You need music that changes in tempo to something warmer.’
Clark is scowling at me. ‘That would mean back to the drawing board and we don’t have time, Florence.’
I look at Jane. ‘It’s your call as it’s your podcast. That’s just my view.’
While Jane asks Jack for his thoughts, Clark comes to sit by me on the sofa. ‘We’re supposed to be a team,’ he hisses.
My irritation spikes. ‘We are, but that doesn’t mean I have to agree with you on everything.’
His eyes narrow. ‘I chose that music.’
‘Well, I disagree with your chosen piece. It’s giving funeral vibes.’
He lets out a heavy sigh. ‘You always do this – muscle in on everything I do.’
Jane collects her papers, and Jack places the microphone under his arm. ‘We’ll go back to my house and think about it.’
I sense Jane has picked up on the tension between Clark and me.
Clark looks horrified. ‘No, Jane, please stay.’
She glances at both of us in turn. ‘I sense you two have things to discuss.’ I watch her and Jack hurry to the door.
As the door closes, I put my head in my hands and groan.
‘That was your fault,’ he says.
I open my mouth to say something inflammatory and then stop. In my head, I can hear Iris and Hilda talking about the test. The word ‘change’ lingers for a few seconds. ‘We’re still acting like two bickering kids.’
He remains silent and nibbles on the side of his thumbnail.
‘We need to agree to stop behaving like children or we’re never going to pass this test and we’ll end up screaming and shouting at each other in that bedsit for the rest of eternity.’
He lets out a heavy sigh. ‘You’re right.’
‘We’re always trying to outdo each other.’
After crossing his legs, he nods. ‘I always feel like I’m in competition with you.’
I turn on the sofa and face him. ‘It’s the same for me.’
He casts me a pained expression. ‘You always come up with good ideas and that bugs me.’
‘Well, you have great ideas too. I loved what you’d done with her voice back there.’
His eyebrows shoot up his forehead. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, I should have said that.’
A smile is spreading across his face. ‘You’re the only person who annoys me this much.’
I chuckle. ‘I can say the same about you. Can we try and stop reverting to when we were kids?’
He sits up, resting his elbows on his knees. ‘I will stop trying to outdo you.’
I take a deep breath. ‘I will too.’
‘What about that triumphant smile of yours? Your secret weapon against me.’
His eyes are studying my face intently, making my cheeks heat up. ‘I will try not to use it,’ I murmur.
He outstretches his hand. ‘Shake on it?’
Reluctantly, I slip my hand into his. It feels surprisingly nice. His large hand is soft and warm. I stare at our hands still locked together. There’s another sensation it’s giving me. It’s not something I have felt before. I can’t work out what it is.
Ah, I know. It makes me feel… safe.
Holding Clark’s hand makes me feel safe. This is unsettling.