Page 98 of The Mismatch

‘How are things with you anyway?’ She hated that question. She had nothing to offer forward.

‘Fine, just fine!’

He narrowed his eyes.

Soraya stood up straighter and swayed slightly. She was really hungry now, her accidental twenty-nine-hour fast no longer novel but concerning. He put a hand to her shoulder to steady her. She flinched.

The hurt in his eyes was palpable.

‘I just … are you OK? You don’t look good.’

She laughed shakily. ‘Gee, thanks.’

‘No, I mean … have you been out or something?’ He looked at his phone. ‘It’s half seven?’

‘I’m just on a comedown and really hungry.’ She laughed, not meaning to.

‘You took drugs?’ He looked worried, lines creasing his forehead.

She sighed. ‘I’ve always taken drugs, Magnus, it’s not a big deal.’

His hand was still on her arm. She wanted to shake him off but couldn’t bring herself to do it. It would be the last time he touched her, and she hated herself for being so sentimental as to think that.

‘You need to take care of yourself. Look at your dad …’

Her mouth opened involuntarily as rage bubbled inside her.

‘What the fuck? You can’t just throw that in my face.’ She pushed his hand away. ‘You’re lecturing me for taking MD on a night out, like you don’t drink alcohol? Imagine if I said something about your dad, chastised you for drinking because of his problems.’

He shut his eyes and clenched his jaw.

‘I didn’t mean to …’

‘Forget it. It doesn’t matter.’

She didn’t even care about their argument, not really. She just didn’t like that he was pretending to care for her and judging her as though she was struggling without him.

‘There you are!’ a voice said from behind her. Soraya turned to find a blonde girl making her way towards them.She stood close to Magnus and they looked nice together, like they were a natural couple.

‘I couldn’t find you,’ the girl said, in a sing-song voice.

Soraya stepped back, her breathing hitching.

She was such an idiot.

Magnus looked totally at ease, which made the whole situation worse.

‘Red or white wine?’ the blonde said, showing both bottles to him. He was now facing her but his eyes were still on Soraya.

‘Erm, red,’ he said. ‘This is Soraya, by the way.’

The girl turned, as though she hadn’t realised Soraya and Magnus had been talking. She smiled brightly and Soraya might have thought she was nice if it wasn’t for the painful reality that Magnus had already moved on with her.

‘Hiya,’ the girl said.

‘I’m late for a thing anyway, nice meeting you. Have fun in Paris, Magnus.’

Soraya left, taking impossibly large steps, holding herself together until she was at the self-checkout.