A Straight Line to My Heart by Bill Condon Page A

don’t front up tomorrow, then you failed the test. Give it another go, Tiffy. One more day.’
    I really don’t need a lot of persuading. Yes, it was awful writing that press release and getting no feedback from Andrew about what I was doing wrong, and no thank you when I finally got it right. I won’t be forgiving him in a hurry. But I don’t mind the Shark all that much. He’s grumpy and rude and sexist. But at least he did try to help me . . . 
    I give Reggie another hug.
    â€˜It’s not me birthday, is it?’ he asks.
    â€˜No. That was for the good advice. Here’s the deal: You’ll have all your medical tests this week and I’ll go back to the paper – and I’ll take anything they dish out. We’ll be tested together, Reggie.’
    â€˜You’re on, luv.’

I ring kayla and rehash the Shark story – think I’m still going to be talking about that when I’m old and feeble. By the time I hang up I feel happy from all the laughing – but then Zoe arrives. I haven’t got anything against her, of course, it’s just that Bull promised he’d give me a driving lesson tonight. I know the promise is worthless now.
    â€˜I only called in to see how Reggie’s doing,’ she says. ‘I don’t want to interrupt.’
    Whenever she comes over, Bull drops everything to spend time with her. They’ll probably watch a movie or listen to music or just talk. Whatever they decide, it’s the end of my lesson.
    â€˜Hey, mate.’ Bull sidles over to me. ‘I know I was going to take you out in the car tonight, but I can’t.’
    â€˜Doesn’t matter,’ I say. ‘I’d forgotten all about it.’
    â€˜Got all this paperwork I have to get through, but I–’
    â€˜I don’t care, Bull.’
    â€˜Let me finish. I mentioned it to Zoe. She’s game for anything – hey, Zoe?’
    It’s the first time that I’ve felt her trespassing on my territory. Maybe Bull put her up to this to try to get us closer. Maybe it’s her idea. Or maybe I’m just paranoid. In any case I don’t have much choice because in a second she’s right here, beside me.
    â€˜I’d love to take you for a drive, Tiff. Be good to sit back and get driven around for a change. If it’s all right with you, that is.’
    I smile.
    â€˜Sure, Zoe. Thanks.’
    We’ve got the windows down, front and back. Zoe drives a ten-year-old Magna. It’s aircon is in pieces on our garage floor. Reggie’s in the process of repairing it. He used to be a mechanic – could fix anything. He’s still not too bad, but he’s slow and there’s always something to distract him. Most days he potters around with the Falcon. It was a wreck when he had it towed home. He’s had it sprayed and upholstered, and all the dints have been hammered out. The car takes up most of his time. And when he’s well enough he goes to bingo at the Royal. Then there’s his old movies and Dr Phil , and long, dawdling rambles with Wolfie. And sleeping. He does a lot of that. So Zoe’s aircon might take a while yet.
    â€˜You drive good,’ she says. ‘Look, I haven’t even got my fingers crossed.’
    â€˜Thanks.’
    â€˜But I am praying,’ she adds.
    We’ve rarely had any time alone together but now that we’ve got it I don’t know what to say. Possibilities keep flying at me but I bat them away just as fast.
    I know I can’t say these things:
    Bull won’t tell me your age but you have to be at least forty or even more. I can’t imagine being that old and not being terminally depressed, but you seem to be putting on a brave face. Go, girl!
    Have you had lots of boyfriends? He won’t tell me that either.
    Do you want to marry Bull?
    WHY?
    Okay, none of my business.
    I think he’d be in it. He likes you. I’m sure you