Lin woke the next morning full of anxiety and headed straight for the spare room.
He knocked on the door hesitantly.
"Come in."
She turned on her chair a make up brush in her hand and a small smile flicked across her face.
"You ok?"
He nodded quickly.
"Yes, I was just checking.... I just wanted to make sure... I mean..."
"You were checking I hadn't packed up and gone?"
He nodded and quietly replied.
"Yes"
"Well, I haven't. Surprise!"
Lin smiled quickly.
"What time is your appointment?"
"Setting off in 5"
"I really want to come with you."
She stood up and put her hands on his shoulders.
"I need you to sort things out with her Lin. So the line is drawn, there's no confusion or anymore lies."
She hesitated.
"Unless you do want her of course."
He shook his head.
"No! You're all I want. You're all I will ever want."
He stroked his hand gently down her face, pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear.
"I hate myself for hurting you."
She pushed him away gently.
"I need to go. I can't have feelings at the moment."
She looked down and shook her head. Taking a quick look in the mirror she grabbed her coat and headed for the door.
He walked quickly ahead of her and put his hand on it.
"Please let me know how you get on. Call me. Please."
She nodded. "Couch.... "
"I'm sorting them. You don't need to remind me. From now on I'm in the room. You are my priority."
She straightened her back.
"Ok, see you later."
He smiled at her, wanting to lighten the awkward moment.
"Hey, don't be a stranger!"
She looked at him, her face suddenly sad.
"What's stranger than this?"
He closed the door behind her and stood for a while a million thoughts running through his head.
"C'mon Lin. First things first!"
He googled house clearance, managing to find someone who was willing to come and take them off his hands straight away for a ridiculously inflated price.
"Worth it."
He ran his fingers slowly over the keys. So much of his work had started life here.
"Sorry old friend. I played with fire and manage to burn everyone."
His phone rang.
"Hey Jon"
"How's everything? What's happening."
"Well, thanks mainly in part to you we are giving it a go. It's still very raw but there's a chance. I'm grabbing it with both hands and not letting go. She's gone for a consultation today."
"Why aren't you with her?"
"She didn't want me there. Said I had to get rid of the couch and piano."
"Huh? Could you not leave home renovations till another time?"
Lin squirmed.
"No. They need to go. They have memories... of Iris"
"What? I don't.... Oooooh yep. Yep! Got it now! Piano? How did you...? You know what. Never mind."
"She also said she wants me to meet Iris. To sort it out once and for all"
"Seriously?! Ok. Meet me. We need to talk"
Jon breathed out and sighed heavily as Lin filled him in.
"I don't think you should meet her"
Lin looked up quickly.
"Shit Jon of course I should meet her, I owe her that at least, she's ..."
