Page 58 of Ask Another Day

They lapsed into a somewhat comfortable silence. It had been a week since Holly had sent her apology text. And this car journey was proving to be a ridiculous test for Holly’s new phase of friendship with Seb. Rose had been due to take her to this appointment - but had cancelled on her, spectacularly, this morning. Although Rose had known about Luke’s anniversary trip, she hadn’t told Holly about the change of plans until hours ago. Her and Luke had pinned a lot of hope on Holly and Seb being on better speaking terms, otherwise she’d have been faced with a very expensive taxi bill.

As Rose was driving away, she’d reminded Holly she hadn’t forgotten about her challenge, much to Luke’s confusion. During their little interaction, Holly realised that although Luke knew Rose had been trying to find a boyfriend for his sister, he must not have known about the finer details. That understanding had come as a relief. She wasn’t sure why it mattered to her, but she wondered whether it was knowing she had a piece of Rose that Luke didn’t. It also signalled how dense her brother could be - there had been a beer mat pinned to the wall with a date on it for months, and he’d never noticed, or asked about it.

Until Rose had called out her reminder, Holly had hoped she was ready to admit defeat. Without the use of dating apps, she couldn’t see how Rose was going to find her someone. As they’d driven away, she was struck with the awful thought Rose might go old school and put an advert in the newspapers. She’d tried to ignore the niggling worry, but now she was sat stuck on the motorway, the image of a dating advert in the Yorkshire Post wouldn’t go away. If it wasn’t already too late, Holly needed to veto that course of action as soon as possible.

‘I’m going to take a look outside, see how long the tailback is,’ Seb said as he released his seatbelt.

‘OK. Good plan,’ Holly managed to sound calm when instead a rising panic was threatening to take hold.

As soon as he stepped out of the car, Holly messaged Rose.

Holly:

Just in case you are crazy enough to be planning something like this. I want it on record you are NOT allowed to put a wanted ad in the papers to find me a date!

Rose: I wish I had thought of that

It would have been perfect!

Holly:

You say perfect, I say nightmare

Promise me you won’t

Please?

Rose: I promise

No adverts in the papers

Holly:

OK

Have a nice weekend

Rose:

All OK there?

With Seb?

Holly:

Have a nice weekend, Rose

Rose:

Spoilsport

Holly lent across to the drivers side and spotted Seb chatting with one of the lorry drivers who had parked up ahead. Making the most of the time alone, she opened up the fortune telling app.

‘Can Rose really be trusted?’ she whispered, despite being alone in the car.

When the words Beyond a Shadow of Doubt appeared on the screen, Holly allowed herself to relax.

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