‘Right?’
Lou sighed. ‘I know you probably feel terrible right now, but if you think about it, you’ve potentially just avoided making the biggest mistake of your life. And I, for one, am proud of you for stepping up and going after what you want.’
I pressed my lips together, wondering whether to say anything.
‘You’ve never liked Nick, have you?’ I asked, keeping my tone light.
I supposed it didn’t matter now whether she did or she didn’t, but I wanted to know. It was something I’d alwayssuspected but had never called her out on because I hadn’t been ready to hear the truth. Lou was very astute about stuff like this and I thought that if she’d had some insight into why Nick and I might not be right for each other, I’d find it impossible to ignore. And I’d so wanted to want to marry him. Or at least, I’d tried really hard to want it.
‘I don’t dislike him,’ said Lou gently. ‘I was just never sure he brought out the best in you. I never thought you had enough in common. You didn’t seem particularly connected, you know?’
That I could take.
‘The only good thing to come out of it is that I never have to see his wanky family again. Turns out the only one I care about is Daisy. She’s lovely, actually. I’ll miss her,’ I said.
My phone beeped as a text came through from Tim.
‘Tim’s just texted. I’m too scared to read it,’ I said.
‘Fuck Tim. I met my friend Katrina for dinner the other night and she’s heading up a new travel show for Channel 4. I told her about you and she said to send in your CV. If you’re interested? Since you’re on an empowerment roll?!’
I watched other guests coming in and out of the doors of the hotel, some with suitcases and tired faces, some dressed up for dinner.
‘Are you there, Mads?’
‘I’m here.’
‘So will you go for it? The job?’
‘Actually – and this is a bit radical – I’ve been thinking of going freelance. Not right away, I’ll need to save a bit more money first. But I’ve got an idea, Lou, and I’m really excited about it. I’ll tell you all the details when I see you.’
Lou screeched so loudly that I had to temporarily hold my phone away from my ear.
‘Sorry, but I can’t take all this in,’ she yelled, soundinggenuinely shocked. ‘What’s happened to the Maddie I know? Do they put something in the waters in Florence?’
I ended the call and got the details of the pensione from the concierge.
‘Oh, and can I please settle the bill for room 315?’ I asked him, getting my card out.
He tapped away on his computer.
‘All paid, madame.’
I frowned.
‘I thought they were going to pay at the end? Can’t I pay half at least?’
‘The bill is settled, there is nothing to pay, madame.’
‘Right,’ I said, annoyed that they’d got in there first. Then again, at least I wouldn’t have to max out my credit card to pay for a hotel room that – I could conclude – was no nicer than some of the places I’d stayed in for half the price.
I was just about to leave when I realised I still had my engagement ring on. I stared at it for a moment or two, holding out my hand to observe it from a distance.
‘Would you mind keeping an eye on my stuff?’ I asked the concierge.
He was already on the phone but nodded a yes.
I walked towards the restaurant, pulling off my ring as I went. I’d give it to Nick and if I felt like I could, I’d say goodbye to the others. It would be a shame to leave things on such a bad note, although I supposed it was too late for that.