Me-Before-You-by-Jojo-Moyes

‘In a minute.’ I just wanted to sit there, to let my head rest against Patrick. I
wanted to feel like I used to feel – normal, untroubled. I wanted not to think
about death.
‘I broke my best time today. Fifteen miles in just 79.2 minutes.’
‘Great.’
‘Cooking with gas now, eh, Pat?’ someone said.
Patrick bunched both his fists and made a revving noise with his mouth.
‘That’s great. Really.’ I tried to look pleased for him.
I had a drink, and then another. I listened to their talk of mileage, of the
skinned knees and hypothermic swimming bouts. I tuned out, and watched the
other people in the pub, wondering about their lives. Each of them would have
huge events in their own families – babies loved and lost, dark secrets, great joys
and tragedies. If they could put it into perspective, if they could just enjoy a
sunny evening in a pub garden, then surely I should too.
And then I told Patrick about Dad’s job. His face looked a little like I imagine
mine had. I had to repeat it, just so he could be sure he had heard me right.
‘That’s … very cosy. You both working for him.’
I wanted to tell him then, I really did. I wanted to explain that so much of
everything was tied up in my battle to keep Will alive. I wanted to tell him how
afraid I was that Will seemed to be trying to buy me my freedom. But I knew I
could say nothing. I might as well get the rest of it over while I could.
‘Um … that’s not the only thing. He says I can stay there when I want, in the
spare room. To get past the whole bed problem at home.’
Patrick looked at me. ‘You’re going to live at his house?’
‘I might. It’s a nice offer, Pat. You know what it’s been like at home. And
you’re never here. I like coming to your house, but … well, if I’m honest, it
doesn’t feel like home.’
He was still staring at me. ‘Then make it home.’
‘What?’
‘Move in. Make it home. Put your stuff up. Bring your clothes. It’s about time
we moved in together.’
It was only afterwards, when I thought about it, that I realized he had actually
looked really unhappy as he said this. Not like a man who had finally worked out