A Twist of Fate by Demelza Hart Page B

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    â€˜How’s things, Callie?’
    He sounded chipper. Chipper? What the hell was that about? Even chipper was sexy with Paul though.
    â€˜Things are hectic. I’m sure you’ve seen.’
    â€˜Seen what?’
    â€˜The newspapers, TV, the web … the story of the crash is everywhere. I did a press conference.’
    â€˜Oh aye.’
    Was he really not bothered? ‘Well?’ I said.
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜Aren’t you interested?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜They won’t leave me alone. But they want you too.’
    â€˜I know. They tried. I told them to fuck off.’
    I sighed. This was going nowhere.
    â€˜How’s Reginald?’ he said.
    â€˜Who?’
    â€˜Roderick?’
    My eyes rolled. ‘Rupert.’
    â€˜That’s the one. Bear boy. Happy, is he?’
    â€˜What business is it of yours?’
    â€˜Just curious.’
    â€˜If you really want to know, I’ve kept him at arms’ length. I’m not ready yet.’
    â€˜Still hangin’ around though, is he?’
    â€˜I want him to hang around. We’ll get back together soon. I still need some time, that’s all.’
    â€˜Right.’
    Pause.
    â€˜So …?’ he rumbled.
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜Why’re you phoning?’
    â€˜The press are still pestering me. They’re desperate to get me onto various chat shows and morning programmes. But, like I said, they want you too.’
    â€˜I’m not doing that stuff.’
    â€˜They won’t leave me alone, Paul.’
    â€˜Just tell them to piss off. You’re too nice, Callie.’
    â€˜I don’t want to do any more on my own.’
    â€˜Don’t then.’
    â€˜But they’re parked outside my house. They keep phoning. I can barely step outside. I feel like Lady Di!’
    â€˜No.’ There was a slight pause. ‘You’re more beautiful.’
    I fell silent. So did he. I could hear his breaths down the phone. I wished they’d drop out of the earpiece and onto my skin.
    â€˜Callie … it’s so good to talk to you again.’
    Yes, yes, it was. ‘Yes.’
    â€˜Christ, I missed you.’
    â€˜Did you?’
    â€˜Aye. So fucking much, Cal.’
    I barely hesitated. ‘Me too.’
    â€˜Come and see me.’ He didn’t hesitate either.
    My stomach flipped like it did when he smiled at me, but I reeled it in. ‘I can’t.’
    â€˜Why not?’
    â€˜It wouldn’t work.’
    â€˜But you want to do an interview with me.’
    â€˜That’s different.’
    â€˜I want to see you, Callie. You tell you don’t want to see me but you want to go on TV with me. I don’t get it.’
    â€˜You know what I want.’
    â€˜Not really.’
    â€˜I want … to just … you know …’
    â€˜No. I don’t know.’
    â€˜Oh, bloody hell, Paul, stop being so obtuse!’
    â€˜There you go with your big words again. Look, I’m just asking a question.’
    â€˜You’re like a dog with a bone.’
    â€˜We didn’t argue like this on the island.’
    â€˜Exactly!’
    â€˜So?’
    â€˜So it would never work, would it? You and me. I just want to get the press off our backs.’
    â€˜They’re not on my back.’
    â€˜Ooh, you are infuriating!’
    â€˜I’m not the one yelling down the phone.’
    â€˜Look, please just do one show with me. That’ll keep them happy and then we’ll just go our separate ways again.’
    Further silence, save for the regular in out murmur of his breath.
    â€˜Which one do you reckon?’ he said at length.
    â€˜Is that a yes?’
    â€˜Just the one, Callie. For you.’
    I released my gratitude in a sighed, ‘Thank you.’ I’d see him again. Oh God, I was happy. ‘Probably best to do the Breakfast one. They’ll go easier on us.’
    â€˜Alright. That host –