Three Amazing Things About You(53)

‘Oh right, I get it now. Hallie’s told me about you.’ Breaking into a grin, Nick said, ‘You’re the nice one. As opposed to the bossy, scary one.’

‘Hopefully,’ said Luke.

‘So it’s a good book, is it?’ Nick scanned the back cover; it had been written by a young cystic fibrosis sufferer waiting for a double lung transplant. ‘Does it have a happy ending?’

‘Yes.’ Luke nodded. ‘It does.’

It also mentioned on the back cover that a thousand people a year died waiting for their transplant. And the author of the book – his name was Oli Lewington – had only been twenty-three when he’d received his new lungs. Hallie was twenty-eight now.

Nick said, ‘She’s getting worse, isn’t she?’

Luke hesitated. ‘It happens, unfortunately.’ Their eyes met. ‘You know that.’

Of course he did; they both knew. Nick hesitated, then said, ‘So, what are the odds on Hallie getting her transplant?’

Luke shook his head. ‘You never can tell. It could happen at any time. The more people who sign the organ donor register, the better the chances.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘Are you on the register?’

Nick gave him a look tinged with disbelief. ‘I’ve known Hallie for years. Of course I’ve signed the register. I tell everyone to do it.’

‘Good. Well, I’ll be off. It was nice to meet you.’ It hadn’t been, of course, but sometimes you just had to say these things. ‘How long are you back for?’ he added, and held his breath.

‘Just a flying visit. I’m heading up to see my family this evening. Thought I’d call in on Hallie on my way.’

Telling himself he had no business feeling jealous, Luke nodded. ‘Well, bye.’

But inwardly he was thinking: Just a flying visit. Good.

It had been lovely to have Nick come and visit her, but how were you meant to say goodbye to someone you might never see again?

The same way as if it hadn’t crossed your mind for one moment that this could be a possibility.

Well, on the outside at least.

In the living room, Hallie hugged Nick, breathed in the scent of his skin and gave him a kiss on each cheek. Followed by one on the mouth, but a mwah kiss, not a romantic one.

‘Bye. Thanks for coming to see me.’ She pulled back just far enough to be able to look at him without going cross-eyed. ‘And thanks for everything else too. Above and beyond the call of duty.’

‘Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’ He smiled. ‘You take care.’

‘I hope everything works out for you and Emma. She sounds great.’

‘She is.’

‘But just to be on the safe side, don’t tell her about the nearly naked thing this afternoon. Easier all round if she doesn’t know.’

‘Whatever you say.’ Nick stroked the side of her face. ‘But I’ll never forget it.’

‘Nor me. OK, your mum and dad are waiting for you and you have a long drive ahead. Be careful on the motorway.’ Releasing him and stepping back, Hallie kissed her fingers then pressed them against his warm mouth, deliberately refusing to think that this could be the last time she’d do it. ‘Off you go.’





Chapter 24


‘Go on,’ said Rory, ‘admit it. You didn’t completely believe me.’

Tasha grinned. ‘Of course I didn’t believe you.’

‘See? You should have more faith in your boyfriend. I always keep my promises.’

‘To be fair, it didn’t help when Joe kept dropping all those hints about hang-gliding.’

‘Ah well, that’s Joe. You never want to believe a word he says.’

Tasha prodded him playfully with the stick in her hand. ‘Unless you’re saving it until last.’

But he wasn’t, she knew that. It was Sunday afternoon, the first week of March, and it had been a dream weekend. Better still, it had all been Rory’s idea. She’d thought they were spending the weekend in London, but on Friday afternoon he’d told her to pack a small case. Then he’d brought her down to this stunning country house hotel on the outskirts of Bath. Their room had incredible views over the hotel grounds and the wooded hills beyond. It also had a velvet-canopied four-poster bed.

Completely overcome by the gesture, Tasha had gazed around the room. ‘Why have you done this?’

And Rory had replied with an easy shrug, ‘Because you deserve it. It’s your turn.’

‘Really? Oh my God . . .’ OK, this was the kind of talk that could make you seriously fall in love with someone.

‘No potholing, no rugby, no wild swimming, no waterskiing, no motorbikes. This is your weekend. We’re just going to relax and do whatever you want to do.’