Me-Before-You-by-Jojo-Moyes

‘I was an idiot. You’re right. This job of yours is only for six months, and I
have been behaving like a child. I should be proud that you’re doing something
so worthwhile, and taking it all so seriously. I was just a bit … thrown. So I’m
sorry. Really.’
He held out a hand. I took it.
‘It’s good that you’re trying to help him. It’s admirable.’
‘Thank you.’ I squeezed his hand.
When he spoke again, it was after a short breath, as if he had successfully
managed some pre-rehearsed speech. ‘I’ve made supper. I’m afraid it’s salad
again.’ He reached past me into the fridge, and pulled out two plates. ‘I promise
we’ll go somewhere for a blowout meal once the Viking is over. Or maybe once
I’m on to carb loading. I just … ’ He blew out his cheeks. ‘I guess I haven’t been
able to think about much else lately. I guess that’s been part of the problem. And
you’re right. There’s no reason you should follow me about. It’s my thing. You
have every right to work instead.’
‘Patrick … ’ I said.
‘I don’t want to argue with you, Lou. Forgive me?’
His eyes were anxious and he smelt of cologne. Those two facts descended
upon me slowly like a weight.
‘Sit down, anyway,’ he said. ‘Let’s eat, and then … I don’t know. Enjoy
ourselves. Talk about something else. Not running.’ He forced a laugh.
I sat down and looked at the table.
Then I smiled. ‘This is really nice,’ I said.
Patrick really could do 101 things with turkey breast.
We ate the green salad, the pasta salad and seafood salad and an exotic fruit
salad that he had prepared for pudding, and I drank wine while he stuck to
mineral water. It took us a while, but we did begin to relax. There, in front of me,
was a Patrick I hadn’t seen for some time. He was funny, attentive. He policed
himself rigidly so that he didn’t say anything about running or marathons, and
laughed whenever he caught the conversation veering in that direction. I felt his
feet meet mine under the table and our legs entwine, and slowly I felt something
that had felt tight and uncomfortable begin to ease in my chest.
My sister was right. My life had become strange and disconnected from
everyone I knew – Will’s plight and his secrets had swamped me. I had to make