Page 116 of More Than Just Friends

On Sunday afternoon, when I’d reluctantly hauled myself to reception to say bye to Sammie, I’d briefly told her what happened. She didn’t have much time to speak because with most of the wedding party leaving the hotel that afternoon, she was busy seeing everyone off.

I’d said I’d call her yesterday, once I’d settled back home, but I just couldn’t face it. After I’d messaged my boss to say I wouldn’t be in for a few days, my phone ran out of battery and I didn’t have the strength or motivation to charge it.

That small action of sliding the charger into the port at the bottom of the phone just seemed like too much effort. Like the equivalent of lifting up a lorry with my little finger then throwing it a thousand metres, it just felt impossible.

‘No,’ I sobbed.

Sammie took my hand, closed the front door then led me into the living room.

We sat on the sofa and in between snotty tears, I told her the full story. All about my conversation with Trish, what I’d suggested to Noah and his reaction.

‘Okay,’ Sammie sighed. ‘Real talk. I’m with Noah on this one. You have to make a decision. Either you’re all in or not. If you stay on the fence, you’ll get splinters in your arse.’

‘Beautifully put as always.’ I attempted a weak smile. ‘I know.’

‘And I understand that it’s scary for you and you’re worried about all the what-ifs. But anything worth having doesn’t come easy. Especially not love. Some of the best things happen when you step outside of your comfort zone. Crikey! Did you hear all those wise words I just said? That shit was deep. I should get them printed on a T-shirt. I’d make a fortune!’

The corner of my mouth twitched. ‘I’m sure you’re right. I just wish I had a crystal ball that would tell me what the outcome would be, so I don’t make the wrong decision.’

‘I wish I could have one so I could find out the lottery numbers and become a millionaire, but life isn’t like that. You just have to take the leap and hope that the parachute opens or there’s a crash mat waiting to soften the landing. When I fell for Romeo, I knew I was taking a risk by leaving London to be with him, but I just felt in my gut that it was the right thing to do. I couldn’t imagine a life without him.’

‘That’s how I feel! Noah’s been in my life forever and I couldn’t stand to never see him again. To never hear his laugh, see his smile, have one of his amazing hugs, to spend hours talking about everything and nothing, then fall asleep in his arms. He’s the most amazing, sweetest, funniest man I know and I…’

The sound of something dropping through the letterbox vibrated around the room, interrupting my thoughts.

‘Is that the post?’ Sammie asked.

‘Probably.’ I shrugged, not really caring.

‘I’ll go. And I’ll make you a cuppa so you can continue telling me all about the reasons you love Noah.’

I was about to protest and tell her that I wasn’t listing reasons that I loved Noah, just naming all of the things that I’d miss if I didn’t see him again, but Sammie had already left the room.

She returned a few minutes later clutching two giant mugs filled with tea, a plate of biscuits and a grin the size of a dozen oceans on her face.

After resting the mugs on the coffee table, she sat down.

‘I think you’re going to want to see this!’ she said, waving a piece of card in the air.

‘What’s…?’ I didn’t even get to finish my sentence. As soon as she handed it to me, I understood why Sammie was looking so pleased with herself.

It was a postcard.

From Santorini.

The one that Noah had sent me when we’d gone to Fira.

Even though Petros had said that post from Santorini sometimes arrived in London in as little as three to five days, I was still shocked that it’d been delivered so fast.

I quickly turned over the postcard to read the message Noah had written:

To my darling Ali,

You deserve the world. Never forget that.

Love always,

No-No xxx