Page 57 of Be More Capybara

‘You could have burst out crying. That might have prompted him to comfort you. Though choosing something romantic might have been more effective. Next time, binge-watch One Day. It’s basically you and Nige, but with more actual kissing. What happened after the film?’

‘We said good night, and I waved him off.’

‘Hadn’t he drunk too much wine to drive by this point?’

‘This is Nigel we’re talking about. Of course he hadn’t drunk too much.’

‘I despair.’

‘I’ve told you, him fancying me is all in your imagination. He had lots of opportunities to make a move last night, and he didn’t use a single one of them.’

42

NIGEL

Nigel made his way along the track through the woods. He used to come this way a lot when he was a child, building dens between the trees with his best friend, Toby. He’d lost touch with Toby when he moved to New York. It might be fun to track him down again.

He came to a fork in the path where the trees were less dense and caught a glimpse through the branches of what could be a wooden building. Turning left should bring him out next to it. He’d been dying to see the treehouses, but he’d kept his promise to Lucy and held back until he got an official invite. Now, hopefully, he’d see whether Mark’s enthusiasm was justified.

As he drew nearer to his destination, he heard a woman’s voice.

Was that Helen? It could be. She’d mentioned she was planning to pop over here today. He walked faster. She might not be ready to be more than friends, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t spend time with her.

He came out of the trees and onto the track. It was Helen. She was having an animated conversation, laughing and joking with someone very familiar. Adrian from the health club. Judging by their body language, he was ready for a relationship with Helen. Helen didn’t seem that reluctant either.

‘Hi Hel,’ Nigel said. ‘Adrian. We meet again.’ He managed to force his features into a fixed smile.

‘We do indeed. I didn’t recognise you with your clothes on.’

A weird joke for one man to make to another.

‘Is this your project?’ Adrian asked.

‘No, my brother’s. Did Helen introduce you?’

‘Yes.’

‘Adrian’s company is the most highly rated renewable energy consultancy in the south-west,’ Helen said. ‘They’ve designed our heat pump and solar panel setup.’

Adrian gave Helen an appreciative smile. ‘I’m very excited to be working here. This little development is going to be really popular, especially with Helen’s creative interiors. She’s marvellous.’ At least he wasn’t looking down her cleavage this time, though as she was wearing a zipped-up waterproof that would’ve been tricky.

‘I’m fully aware of how talented she is. We’ve known one another for a very long time. She’s my closest friend.’ He smiled at Helen. ‘I can see you’re busy. I’ll leave you to it. Any idea where Mark is?’

‘In house number one - just up the track.’

‘Thanks. See you around,’ Nigel headed uphill without looking back. You might not be ready for a new relationship, but Helen is.

Mark looked concerned as Nigel walked through the door of the first treehouse. ‘You’re not impressed?’ he asked.

‘I haven’t really been paying attention. Sorry.’

‘What’s happened?’

‘Nothing.’

Mark didn’t look convinced. ‘You had a face like thunder when you walked through that door.’

‘I saw Helen talking to your renewable energy expert.’