Kathleen Tessaro 3-Book Collection: The Flirt, The Debutante, The Perfume Collector

And so, looking not at all like her normal self, Leticia arrived at Victoria bus depot and waited, sitting in her faded tracksuit on one of a row of blue plastic chairs anchored to the floor, before Hughie finally showed up.

She spotted him walking through the crowds of luggage-laden tourists. Her heart lifted. He looked different, still recognizably Hughie yet transformed. In fact, he’d never looked more handsome. He was carrying a bunch of shopping bags, wearing a new, expensive suit, and his hair was cut. Suddenly she wished she weren’t drowning in a sea of faded grey poly mix. For a split second she considered making a hasty retreat. But it was only her pride, she reasoned. A bit of vanity rearing its head.

He didn’t recognize her at first, so she waved.

He waved back. A sharp stab of longing cut across her chest.

‘Courage, darling,’ she told herself. Still, it was strange that she should need it; she’d never needed it before.

‘I’m so sorry,’ Hughie gushed as he approached and then he stopped, registering her curious ensemble. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked, sitting down. ‘You look a bit … under the weather.’

‘Hughie,’ she began, ‘I need to talk to you.’

‘Oh, dear! You’re not … you know …?’

‘Oh, no! No, no, no! Nothing like that!’ His face relaxed. ‘It’s just we need to have a talk.’

‘The six thirteen leaving for Brighton is now boarding at platform seven.’

A herd of gangly adolescents grabbed their bags and left, giving them a brief moment of privacy.

‘OK.’ He stared into her eyes. ‘I’m really pleased to see you.’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah. I’ve missed you.’

It had been a long time since anyone had missed her. She shifted uncomfortably.

‘The six twenty leaving for Winchester is now boarding at platform eleven. Passengers are reminded to keep their belongings with them at all times.’

‘I think we should stop seeing each other.’

‘I’m sorry?’

‘It just isn’t really working out, is it?’

Hughie stared at her.

Leo was right: he was so young, so terribly young.

‘But why not? What’s wrong with me?’

‘Nothing. It’s not you. It’s not you at all. It’s me, Hughie. It has to do with me.’

‘But … but I don’t get it. Have I done something wrong?’

‘The six twenty bus to Reading is now leaving from platform four.’

More travellers lumbered past, dragging luggage, listless with heat and exhaustion. Leticia tried to swallow. Her mouth was dry, throat tight.

‘Remember the Rules?’

‘Yeah. But I haven’t broken them.’

She stared down at the floor; at the space between her feet. ‘I know. Like I said, it isn’t you, it’s me.’

‘You mean you …’ he concentrated, putting something together, ‘you … like me?’

‘I don’t know. Maybe. Sort of. Anyway,’ she snapped impatiently, ‘it’s not important. What’s important is that we follow the Rules, Hughie. We need to protect ourselves.’

But Hughie wasn’t concentrating. Everything had shifted. Bugger the job! Leticia loved him! She’d practically said as much.

‘What do we need protection from? Especially if you like me and I like you, which, by the way, I do, you know,’ he grinned. ‘What could be better?’

‘See!’ she warned. ‘This is how it begins! The whole thing is getting completely out of hand!’

‘So what?’ He embraced her, covering her face with kisses. ‘Leticia, my darling!’

‘OK, stop!’ She pulled away. ‘Stop right there! We’re not doing a love scene, do you understand?’

‘But why not? What have we got to lose?’

‘Everything! You’re too young to know. You don’t understand now, but you will some day. Love doesn’t fix anything, Hughie. In fact, it destroys more than it fixes. And when the dust has settled, it’s just an afterthought. Lives still get ruined, people still leave, and life goes on and on and on. So the Rules matter, Hughie. They’re the only thing that matters. Which is why this is over!’ She stood up. To her horror there were tears running down her cheeks and people, stupid, fat tourists, staring at them.

He got up too. ‘Someone’s hurt you. You’re frightened, that’s all.’ He wrapped his arms around her again. ‘Don’t be frightened.’

‘I’m not frightened!’ She pushed him away. ‘It’s the Rules, Hughie! Why can’t you just accept that? We had an arrangement.’

‘Leticia …’

‘No! I have to go.’ She grabbed her handbag from the blue plastic seat, brushed the tears away with the back of her hand. ‘I’m sorry. Really I am.’

And before he could say anything more, she had pushed past the group of German backpackers who’d stopped to see how this scene would play out and rushed out the door.

What a disaster! What was wrong with her today?

She hadn’t got very far when her phone rang.

Please God, don’t let it be him! She focused on the number. It was safe; she didn’t recognize it.

‘Yes?’ she answered, trying to pull herself together, sound normal. ‘Who is this? I’m sorry. Juan? Juan who?’

Outside, Henry was waiting.

Hughie wandered out, dazed.

‘What happened? Hughie?’ Henry took his arm. ‘What happened?’