Page 13 of Love Will Save the Day
Chapter Ten
I’m drawing the final touch of grey eyeliner around my eyes when there’s a knock on the door of my room.
‘Hello?’
The door opens to reveal Henry, now showered and dressed in dark blue jeans, a pale blue shirt and a mustard coloured cashmere jumper that looks like it would feel as soft as kittens.
‘Gosh, I feel great!’ Henry announces as he strides into the room. ‘I’m already looking forward to tomorrow’s session.’
‘That’s brilliant,’ I say. ‘And do let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to switch up or anything specific you’d like me to focus on. I want you to be fully satisfied.’
Henry raises an eyebrow and suppresses a smile. I feel my cheeks pinken. Why do I not think through what I’m going to say before I say it? Why don’t I possess that skill?
‘I trust you,’ Henry says, leaning against the door of the wardrobe. ‘I think you’ll be just perfect.’
I look down at my knees. No on-one has ever used the word perfect in relation to me before. It feels nice.
Henry studies me for a brief moment, his eyes travelling across my hair, my eyes and resting on my lips for the tiniest shard of a second. I feel my heart start to beat a little harder.
‘This is really weird, isn’t it?’ he says eventually. ‘That you saved my life and now you’re here, living with me.’
I grin. ‘Really weird,’ I say, ignoring the tiny point of me not actually having saved anyone’s life. ‘It’s only temporary, I promise.’
Henry looks at me like he never wants me to leave. I can’t help but feel slightly puzzled by his interest in me. I mean, I know he thinks I’m the reason he’s still alive, but I also know what I look like. And it’s pleasant in it’s own very ordinary way but it’s exactly that… ordinary.
‘Hey,’ Henry says, picking up my eyeliner pencil and fiddling with the lid, clipping it on and off. ‘I know you already stopped me from, you know, dying, etc. But… could I ask you for another favour?’
‘Well, considering you’re letting me stay here,’ I wave my hand around the beautiful room, ‘for free, I’d say you can ask me for plenty of favours.’
Henry bites his lip. ‘Okay, so… I’m about to record a new video and I’d absolutely love you to be in it.’ I immediately pull a face of horror and Henry reaches out and takes my hands into his. ‘I just… it’s so incredible that this has all happened and I truly think my subscribers would get such a kick out of it. They knew I was looking for you. I’d love to show them that I actually found you and that you’re… lovely.’
‘Thanks,’ I say, genuinely pleased that he has deemed me lovely after knowing me for less than 24 hours. That’s a pretty good first impression. But I can’t be in one of his YouTube videos. What if the woman whoactuallysaved him sees it and lets Henry know? Now that I’m here, now that there’s a way for me to get back on my feet I can’t let it go. I need more time!
I shake my head. ‘I don’t think… I’m not sure I’d be any good on camera.’
Henry frowns slightly. ‘You’d be great. And it really would mean such a lot to me.’ He looks thoughtful for a second. ‘And, you know, you’d probably get more clients from it! Perhaps I could mention how you’re an amazing trainer looking for new work. My videos are very London centric so I expect there would be lots of interested parties.’
My ears prick up at this. If I could get more clients, I could pay Mr Hemmings back even sooner than I had hoped. I could start renting my own place. It wouldn’t matter if the real hero woman showed up, I would just apologise to Henry profusely and explain that I had little choice but take advantage of his mistake. By that time I’d have new clients. I’d be sorted. Plus, what are the chances of the real hero woman actually watching Henry’s videos? Not big enough to throw away the massive opportunity of potentially getting enough new clients to become freelance. My god, that would be a dream. To be in control of my career. To not be reliant on anyone!
There’s still that risk, though… That taking part in this video could lead to me getting found out before I’m ready to…
I examine Henry’s incredibly symmetrical face, full of hope and nervousness about my answer. I pull my hands out of his because they’re starting to get all clammy.
‘Okay,’ I say eventually. ‘What do you need me to do?’
suppresses
