And there’s no way I’m making our would-be wedding day even worse.
‘So, how are you, Pip?’ I ask gently. I don’t want to give anything away – Dan will have kept my secret, which is that I know Pip’s secret – but she must be wracked with disappointment, even with her family there.
She sighs heavily. ‘Fine, all things considered.’
‘Have you got out much, seen the sights?’
‘Mmm, yeah – we saw the Aurora Borealis last night.’
I catch the slip –we, when ostensibly she’s there alone – but I don’t let on.
‘A group of us from the hotel, I mean,’ she says, obviously realising the slip-up. ‘Erm, we did a drive out to Grótta Lighthouse – an excursion.’
I have no doubt she did go to a lighthouse last nightandsee the Aurora Borealis, but it would have been with Ashley and their parents. God, I thought lying to Pippa felt terrible, but her lying to me to save face is worse.Farworse.
Do I tell her?
No, I quickly decide. If we’re opening Pandora’s Box, it needs to be in person.
‘Sounds lovely,’ I say benignly.
‘And I went to Hallgrímskirkja today – I think that’s how you say it. Anyway, it’s the tallest structure in Iceland – a church. Nice views – you ride the lift up.’
The irony of Pippa visiting a church on our would-be wedding day is a bitter pill to swallow, even if we’ve never discussed a church wedding. We’ve never discussedanywedding.
‘So, any plans for tonight?’ I ask thoughtlessly. Shedidhave plans – big plans –huge! – but circumstances intervened.
‘Mmm, probably dinner out. By myself,’ she adds, and inwardly I groan.
We’ll need a backhoe to dig us out from this pile of lies.
‘I should go, Nick,’ she says with a tinge of sadness.
‘Speak soon, Pip.’
‘Okay.’
We end the call without the usual exchange ofI love yous– a tell of its own – and I expel a long, slow breath.
Our trip was booked for six nights, so she’s not even halfway through her stay. Hopefully, with her family there, she’ll find a way to enjoy it. There doesn’t seem to be any indication that she’ll go home early – like Nicholas.
Nicholas – what a wanker. Even if he isn’t a wanker – but really, all evidence points in that direction – he seems wildly unsuited to Delaney.
So, who’d be better suited then?
I look back at my laptop screen, reading over the last couple of pages of the epilogue.
LEXI
When did you know?
FINN
That I was in love with you?
She nods.
FINN