Page 156 of Surprise Me Always

Annoyingly.

Because some irrational part of me keeps expecting it to vanish if I blink enough.

It does not vanish.

Mark framed it.

Mark drove to Whitstable every month.

Mark called me from that kitchen sounding like I was the first person he wanted to talk to.

I lock my phone.

Unlock it again.

Open our messages.

Stare at the thread.

Close it.

Open it again.

This is pathetic.

I type: Nice cake.

Delete it.

I type: I see Heath remains ungrateful.

Delete that too.

Too normal.

I finally type: Are you busy?

I stare at the words.

Then hit send before common sense can stage an intervention.

The reply comes two minutes later.

Mark

Currently being judged by a hamster for cleaning his cage. Why?

I laugh out loud.

Of course that is what he is doing.

Me

Can you talk?

This time there is no typed response.

Instead my phone rings.