Fitting In

by Amanda Radley

  “I didn’t mean that. I mean, there is quite a gap between you. Well, I think there is. I don’t know how old you—”

  Heather glared at him, silencing him with a single look.

  He swallowed and looked away, turning to look out of the window. Heather realised that he was nervous, something she’d never encountered before and hadn’t expected.

  “I…” He started and then stopped again. “It would be remiss of me if I didn’t tell you, ask you, to… well… look after my baby girl.”

  Heather was very pleased that his back was to her as her eyebrows raised almost off her face.

  Leo had never shown an ounce of care for Scarlett, and now he was attempting to make sure Heather looked after her. And referring to Scarlett as his baby girl, of all things.

  “With respect, I’m surprised to hear that coming from you,” Heather said, not willing to sugar-coat her surprise. “But I will, of course, look out for Scarlett’s well-being. Whether we date or not.”

  He turned to regard her, a shameful expression on his face. “I’m sorry about my outburst. Scarlett can date whoever she pleases. If she finds happiness with someone, then that is wonderful news. Whoever that person is.”

  Heather leaned forward, clasping her hands together and placing them on the desk. “Leo, you can have a relationship with her, I’m certain of it. I don’t know what happened to separate you both, but I can see that neither of you like it.”

  Leo rubbed his hand over his face. “I don’t know. I think too much has happened. And I think we’re too… different.”

  “You’re her father. You obviously love her,” Heather pointed out.

  “I do. I really do.”

  Leo’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and sighed before looking back at Heather. “Sorry, I need to go. Are we okay?”

  Heather nodded firmly. “Absolutely. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  He answered the call and left the office. The moment he was gone, Heather slumped back into her chair.

  36

  Baseless Optimism

  Ravi shouldered his satchel and picked up his jacket. He looked around the office to check he’d turned everything off before switching off the lights. He exited his office, closing the door behind him.

  He’d made plans to meet up with the darts team after work. He wasn’t much good at the game itself, but the company was worth embarrassing himself. As he walked along the corridors, he said good night to his co-workers and wished them a happy evening.

  He exited into the public area of the centre and walked along the main corridor, taking a leaf out of Heather’s book and checking that everything was in working order as he went.

  He was surprised to see Scarlett standing nervously outside of the food court. It was the first time he has ever been able to clearly discern some emotion on her usually passive face.

  “Scarlett?” he asked, detouring to check that she was okay.

  She looked at him and offered him a tight smile. She shifted from foot to foot, and Ravi found it fascinating that something had got her so wound up.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  Ravi chuckled. “Well, you look a little worried, and you’ve just evaded a question. Which is pretty unlike you.”

  Scarlett looked pained for a moment, as if deciding whether or not to confess something. Ravi waited patiently, hoping to convince her that he could be trusted with his silence.

  “I have a date.”

  Ravi grinned. “Oh, I see. Well, I’ll leave you to it, then.”

  He knew the butterflies that proceeded a date and didn’t want to bother Scarlett any further.

  “Good night,” he said, turning away.

  “Wait.”

  He paused and looked at her. “Yes?”

  If Scarlett had looked unsettled before, she now looked positively anxious.

  “Do I… look okay?” she asked, seemingly almost annoyed at herself for asking the question at all.

  Ravi swallowed down the chuckle that wanted to bubble up his throat.

  “You look perfect, as you always do,” he told her honestly. Scarlett was always neatly presented, never a hair out of place. “You seem nervous.”

  “I don’t often date,” Scarlett admitted.

  Ravi could believe it. While Scarlett would be considered a beautiful woman by anyone who saw her, no one would argue that it was difficult to get to know her.

  “I believe I will probably ruin it,” Scarlett said, her honesty startling Ravi.

  “If it’s the right person, it will work out,” Ravi told her.

  “I disagree.”

  Ravi laughed. “Well, I disagree with your pessimism. Most things work out in the end. If it doesn’t, then it’s because there is something better around the corner.”

  “Do you actually find that baseless optimism helpful?” Scarlett asked.

  Ravi laughed again, actually crying at Scarlett’s words this time.

  “The idea that if things aren’t working out well then they will do soon is just a ludicrous platitude,” Scarlett continued on calmly as if Ravi weren’t dying of laughter in front of her.

  Ravi wiped the tears from his eyes and regarded the young woman fondly. He was about to reply when he realised Heather had joined them, probably wondering what was happening.

  “Heather, help me out here,” Ravi said. “Scarlett doesn’t believe me when I say that things will work out for the best in the end.”

  Heather looked from Ravi to Scarlett with a grin.

  “Do you think that things won’t work out for the best, Scarlett?” Heather asked.

  “I believe the notion of accepting that things are ‘not meant to be’ if they do not work out is simply to protect the individual’s feelings. It’s like blaming a higher, invisible power rather one’s own flaws, which are often the real reason why things do not work out.”

  Ravi chuckled at the cold, harsh honesty. “See? She’s all out of optimism. Help me out, Heather.”

  “I think she’s right,” Heather admitted.

  Ravi rolled his eyes playfully. “No! Not you as well!”

  “But I think you’re right too,” Heather told him, patting his arm.

  “We cannot both be right,” Scarlett argued.

  “You can,” Heather disagreed. “You see, you’re right, Scarlett: When people say that failed plans ‘weren’t meant to be’ they are protecting someone’s feelings. And that’s because many people, though not all, are fragile when they come up against blow after blow. Losing job interviews, being turned down for competitions, not connecting with people, it can all be quite stressful for some, and so the belief that it ‘wasn’t meant to be’ is comforting. It allows them some confidence to pick themselves up and try again.”

  “True,” Ravi allowed. “We need to believe in something.”

  “Some of us do,” Heather corrected softly.

  Ravi realised that this was a teaching moment for Heather, who was trying to show Scarlett that people viewed things in different ways. She seemed to be pointing out to Scarlett that other people needed the comfort even if she didn’t.

  “I understand,” Scarlett said.

  “Great. We both won. I look forward to our next debate,” Ravi told her with a bright smile. “Can I walk you out, Heather?”

  “No, I’m having dinner here tonight,” Heather said.

  “Oh, what a coincidence,” he said. “Scarlett has a date.”

  “I know.” Heather looked at him meaningfully.

  For at least five full seconds, Ravi wondered what on earth she was trying to convey to him. Then the penny dropped. His eyes widened, and he looked from one woman to the other with a growing smile.

  “Right, I have a darts match to lose. Good night, ladies. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Ravi turned on his heel.

  Heather was clearly a faster worker than he had given her credit for. He smiled when he thought of Scarlett’s adorably ne
rvous display prior to their date; it seemed that love was in the air.

  37

  A Quiet Table

  Heather watched Ravi scuttle away and smiled before turning to face Scarlett. “Shall we?”

  “Shall we what?” Scarlett asked.

  “Find somewhere to eat,” Heather clarified. “Do you have a preference?”

  “No.”

  They walked into the food court, and Heather looked around the large, two-level space. There were fast food restaurants on the ground level and sit-down restaurants upstairs. Nearly every type of cuisine was available, and Heather had eaten in every single one of them multiple times.

  Of course, she had her favourites, but she couldn’t be seen frequenting one more than the rest.

  Scarlett stood stiffly beside her, not offering a single suggestion.

  “Do you like Chinese food?” Heather asked, deciding to get the ball rolling.

  Scarlett tensed up ever so slightly. “Do you?”

  “It’s one of many cuisines I enjoy,” Heather said diplomatically. She was trying to figure out if Scarlett was not a fan of Chinese food or was simply nervous about the situation as a whole. She’d need to go gently and search out any clues that Scarlett inadvertently dropped.

  “Then we should have Chinese food,” Scarlett said hesitantly.

  “Scarlett,” Heather said, trying to get the younger woman’s direct attention. “I’m getting the impression you don’t like Chinese food. Am I right?”

  Scarlett shook her head. “I find it sometimes leaves me with an upset stomach.”

  Heather smiled, relieved that she was finally breaking through to her. The direct approach seemed to be one that worked; she filed that information away.

  “Okay, then no Chinese food,” Heather said, smiling to indicate that it wasn’t an issue. “Tell me, where would you choose to eat if you were on your own?”

  “I wouldn’t. I’d go home.”

  Heather chuckled. “Pretend. You have to go out for dinner, just you. What would you be looking for?”

  Scarlett looked around the noisy space and frowned, contemplating the question.

  “Somewhere quiet,” Scarlett confessed. “With simple food.”

  “That sounds like an excellent idea.”

  Scarlett turned to Heather. “But it should be your decision as well.”

  “And I’m perfectly happy with somewhere quiet and simple,” Heather said. “I don’t have a preference. I’m here for your company.”

  A light blush touched Scarlett’s cheeks, and Heather felt proud that she had done the right thing.

  “Benni’s upstairs has a fairly broad, though plain, menu,” Heather suggested. “And the restaurant has plenty of little nooks and crannies. We can find a nice, quiet table, if you like?”

  Scarlett smiled, and Heather took that to mean she agreed. They walked to the escalators and went to the upper level. Heather took the opportunity to glance at Scarlett.

  By default, Scarlett seemed to be quiet and reserved, but she also appeared to answer direct questions with honesty. Logically, that meant that Heather could get through to her by simply asking questions. It sounded obvious, but so much of Heather’s social interaction included assumptions and silent communication.

  That would need to change if she were to have any hope of a relationship with Scarlett.

  A child started screaming as they so frequently did in shopping centres. The sound echoed around the food court, and Heather noted how Scarlett winced in clear discomfort.

  Heather realised that the more she watched Scarlett, the more she was learning about the fascinating woman. Assumptions couldn’t be made about what Scarlett thought or felt; Heather had to ask to be certain. That would take some getting used to.

  At Benni’s, Heather gestured to the large menu in front of the entrance.

  “Check to make sure there is something you’d like to eat,” Heather suggested. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

  She walked into the restaurant and greeted the owner with a kiss on each cheek. Marco was like an old friend, and it had been a while since Heather had had the opportunity to see him.

  “My date is looking at the menu,” Heather said, wanting to be very clear as to the reason for her dining there. And to halt any potential comments about Scarlett. Heather was well aware that Scarlett had not exactly made friends throughout Silver Arches, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Scarlett had in some way offended Marco or someone else within Benni’s at some point.

  However, that wasn’t Heather’s problem at the moment. She was off work and looking forward to a nice meal and even nicer company.

  Marco looked over at Scarlett and smiled; if he had anything to say he wisely chose not to.

  “Can we have a nice, quiet table?” Heather asked.

  “Absolutely. I can have Maddy seat you in the corner by the wine room?”

  Heather knew the table in question; it was a booth towards the back of the restaurant and was very discreet.

  Scarlett looked up from reading the menu, and Heather excused herself from Marco to join her.

  “Find anything you like?” Heather asked.

  “Yes, there are several dishes I could order,” Scarlett said.

  “Great, I have the perfect table for us.”

  They were led to their table, provided with menus, and soon their order was taken. Heather noticed a tension in Scarlett that she was determined to vanquish.

  “How was work?” Heather asked.

  “Adequate.”

  Heather smiled and mentally reminded herself that she needed to be more direct with Scarlett.

  “Did you encounter anyone interesting today?”

  Scarlett considered the question for a moment. “Mrs Shaw.”

  “Who is Mrs Shaw?”

  “Mrs Shaw is an elderly lady with a habit of stealing socks from department stores and then pretending that she has lost her faculties when she is approached.”

  Heather sniggered. She hadn’t heard about Mrs Shaw in particular, but she was aware that Silver Arches attracted a lot of interesting characters.

  “Ah, is it always socks?” she asked.

  “Yes. Often with animals on them,” Scarlett explained.

  “And did you approach her?”

  “Yes.”

  “And how did that go?”

  “She tried to tell me that the socks dropped into her bag. I had watched her on CCTV committing the crime. When I told her that, she asked if she was in the post office and if I was her granddaughter.”

  Heather laughed.

  “Tara has informed me that we… let Mrs Shaw get away with it. Mainly because she is a terrible thief and gets caught every time. Also, because her infractions are reported to a social worker who works with Mrs Shaw.”

  “How do you feel about that?” Heather asked, knowing Scarlett had previously thought that criminals ought to be punished no matter who they were or what their crime was.

  Scarlett offered a small shrug of her shoulder. “Mrs Shaw provides some variety to the other people I apprehend. She is not malicious, just misguided.”

  “What socks did she have this time?”

  “Hedgehogs. They were strangely pink.”

  They regarded each other for a few moments before laughing.

  Heather was pleased that conversation could flow easily with Scarlett as long as Heather pushed it along in the right direction. When conversation flowed, Scarlett seemed to relax.

  Heather was beginning to understand that it really wasn’t that difficult to change her behaviour to suit Scarlett.

  In the past, she had given up her horror-movie fascination for a partner who couldn’t stand the dark themes. She’d also stopped drinking milk in her coffee for a while for a partner who was lactose intolerant. Everyone bent to their partner in some way; it was natural.

  It just happened that it was a little more difficult to correctly identify Scarlett’s preferences on things.

  Luck
ily, Heather loved a challenge.

  * * *

  “I was reading an article which described why many shopping malls have moved away from the retail and dining model,” Scarlett explained as they walked through the upper area of Silver Arches. “Instead they are becoming leisure destinations. Roller coasters and flight simulators are becoming a frequent sight in overseas shopping centres, for example.”

  “That’s true,” Heather agreed. “But the British have always been a little different when it comes to shopping. While Arab countries, and America, like to expand what a shopping centre can be, most Brits do seem to want the traditional features of a shopping mall. One focused on shopping and dining.”

  “And yet, the layout of Silver Arches would be perfect for a roller coaster. I can see one being installed right down the middle of this walkway. A simple sixty-mile-per-hour launch would easily be accommodated right where we stand. I may speak to my father about it.”

  Heather stopped walking and blinked. Slowly and almost imperceptible, the corners of Scarlett’s lips twitched.

  “Are you messing with me?” Heather asked.

  Scarlett couldn’t control her facial expression any longer and smiled widely. “A little.”

  Heather laughed; she took hold of Scarlett’s arm, and they continued their walk. Dinner had gone better than Heather could ever have imagined.

  Once the initial nerves had dissipated and Heather had adapted her usual communication skills, things flowed as if they were old friends.

  Scarlett relaxed in a way Heather hadn’t even thought possible. Both women spoke at length about everything and anything that popped into Heather’s mind.

  Realising that the key to getting Scarlett to speak was to simply ask her a direct question, and often a follow-up or two, had opened the door to Scarlett’s locked-away thoughts and feelings on a variety of topics.

  Dinner came and went, and Heather had soon realised that they were monopolising a good table. She had also recognised Scarlett’s discomfort at the growing noise from a restaurant that was becoming busy with the evening rush.