Love on Notes

42

As the road signs flashed before my eyes, I had been thinking for about thirty minutes and decided to ask Daniel.

— Where did the deep scar on your back come from?

He frowned and looked at me quickly before redirecting his gaze to the road.

— What scar?
— The one slightly above your right kidney.
— How did you see it?
— I see it when we shower and when you get dressed.

He simply nodded without saying another word. He had rarely left me in such silence.

— It's complicated, he said after a few minutes.
— Too complicated to explain, too complicated to understand or you just don't want to talk about it with me?
— A bit of all three.
— Okay I said in an understanding tone.
— Sorry, Liz, it's just...
— Daniel, I cut him off, you don't have to explain. I understand that you don't want to share about this, that's normal, so don't worry.

I turned towards the passenger window when I heard him sigh. I looked at him and saw him smile and shake his head.

— Why are you so understanding?
— Why not?
— Few people are as understanding as you are.
— Oh well, I just respect your right to have your problems and your stories and I understand that you don't want to share them now or in the near future.

He nodded in reply and ended the conversation. But that didn't mean that my thoughts had stopped. I imagined many scenarios as I watched him discreetly. I couldn't see him hiding a dark past, but I could be wrong. His willingness to help and to practise his profession could be linked to this scar.

After a day outdoors that had done me a world of good, I ended up feeling a bit tired.

— I wonder if you're not a groundhog disguised as a human being, he laughed, putting the picnic basket down as I rushed to the sofa to lie down.
— I don't know what's wrong with me... I suddenly feel like sleeping.
— Probably because of your lack of sleep. Shall I call the Chinese restaurant and order takeaway now so you can get an early night's sleep?

I nodded.

— Yes, please.

About thirty minutes later, after we'd showered, the delivery man rang the bell at the entrance to the building and Daniel went down to collect the order. I was just about to switch on the television when my mobile rang.

Seeing that it was only Harry, I exhaled, reassured.

— Hi, Lizzy! How are you?
— Hi, Harry, yes, I'm fine, thank you, and you?
— Yes, yes, I'm fine, a bit stressed with all the contracts I have to manage, but I'm fine. How are things at Daniel's? he asked me teasingly.

I was about to reply when he opened the door and asked what we were going to watch tonight. He then noticed that I was on the phone and whispered an apology as he headed for the kitchen.

— Oh, so it's movie night today, is it?
— Something like that, yes.
— Well, have fun!
— By the way, Harry, why did you call me? I mean, is everything all right?
— Yes, yes, I wanted to talk to you, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow.
— Is it urgent?
— No, no, not at all, it's just to get your opinion on women.
— I exclaimed, slightly too loudly. You, the expert on women, need some advice?
— Yes, well, you'll see tomorrow! Have a good evening and say hi to him for me.
— Kisses.

I smile before hanging up.

Glancing over at Daniel, I noticed that he was watching me with his eyebrows furrowed and his lips stretched into a smile.

— It's amazing how well you and Harry get on.
— Yes, it's true that we've always had a rather special relationship. In fact, he says hi. And what about you? You never told me about your sister. How old is she?
— She's seventeen, he replied, approaching the sofas.
— What does she study?
— Literature, as you did I assume?
— Yes. And does she like it?
— Yeah a lot actually, she's always loved literature but she doesn't know exactly what she wants to do later on and that's got everyone in the family worried because she's supposed to fill in her university applications in March.
— Oh yes, it's true that it's nerve-wracking, but I'm sure she'll come up with some ideas when she does her research.
— That's what she's been doing for four months now and still nothing.
— I can help her out if you and your parents wish.
— Oh no, I don't want to bother you.

I nodded energetically.

— Oh no, on the contrary, I'd be more than happy to.
— Are you sure?
— Yes, yes, I've helped friends with their orientation, so why not help your sister?

He sat down beside me.

— Oh, well, I'm sure she'd appreciate that. Ah yes, so I've told my family about you, well they know you're staying here and... they've asked to meet you... if you're comfortable with that, of course!

Meet his family?

When I thought about it, it seemed a little early but after all, at the rate at which our relationship had developed, it wouldn't be much. He'd already met Harry and given the extent of our attachment, unless something unexpected happened, it wasn't in our plans to end it straight away.

— I'd love to meet them.

He gave me a huge smile before grabbing the remote control.

— So, what are we watching tonight? I asked, taking the boxes of noodles and spring rolls out of the bag.
— What would you like?
— We finished all the Harry Potter films last week, so if you want, we can make an action film?
— Have you got one in mind?
— Um... not particularly.

He reached for his mobile and seemed to glance at a list.

— Ever heard of White House Down?
— Er, no, but from the tone of your voice, it's a good film?

He nodded as he put the film on the television.

— Yup.