Page 55 of The Life Experiment

The Life Experiment: Daily Questionnaire

Property of OPM Discoveries

What are two things you are grateful for today?

Jasper and Clarissa’s sleuthing. They’re pretty great friends. I should probably tell them that

Mum’s latest results. Things seem to be heading in the right direction

What are you struggling with today?

Not knowing how Layla will react when she sees me

Do you have any additional notes on what you would like to discuss in your upcoming counselling session?

Depending on how today goes, we could have a lot to discuss

Angus tugged at the collar of his shirt. It was a tailored fit, but suddenly it felt too tight. As he manoeuvred his car into one of the last free spaces in the crematorium car park, he wondered if he would make it to the funeral before the shirt choked him.

Turning off the ignition, Angus eyed the congregation waiting in the drizzle. It was a big crowd filled with people of all ages, shuffled closely together in their grief. Angus felt a lump in his throat simply observing their sadness.

Was it right that he was here? Angus didn’t know. It wasn’t like he knew David personally, and he definitely hadn’t been invited. The worries were almost enough to make him drive away, but then Angus thought of Layla. He needed to see her. Just one look to see that she was okay.

Just one chance to be there for her.

With that thought, Angus sealed his fate. He walked across the car park to join the crowd. As he did, he noticed the gentle chatter fade into silence. Self-consciousness prickled Angus’s skin, but then he heard the distinct roll of tyres. Without turning, he knew the funeral cars were arriving.

Tucking himself into the crowd, Angus watched on, waiting to see Layla.

A strangled breath escaped him when she stepped out of the car. Wrapped in a sleek black coat and wearing pointed boots, she looked beautiful – and sad. So incredibly sad. Her body was rigid with composure, but Angus knew it was an armour.

As Layla extended her hand back into the car, a small hand accepted it. Seconds later, a young boy emerged.

Jayden , Angus thought. He recognised him from Layla’s photos. The woman following him was Maya. With similar features to her sister, Maya too was stiff as she clutched onto her son’s shoulder.

When one final person emerged from the car, Angus’s chin dimpled. Joanna was pale-faced and curved inwards as if aching with pain. Angus’s heart broke for her.

As the family made their way towards the crematorium, all Angus could do was watch. It amazed him how he could name all the significant people in Layla’s life at a glance. She had shared her world so openly with him, but he hadn’t done the same.

Before the shame of that could destroy him, Layla looked up from straightening Jayden’s collar and locked eyes with Angus.

Angus’s heart thundered. His palms dampened with sweat, and all he could think was, How the hell have I survived a single day without looking into those eyes?

Time remained frozen until Maya nudged Layla into action. Flustered, she tried to move forwards but stumbled. Even though he was too far away to catch Layla, Angus’s body jerked to steady her, but Maya got there first.

Turning to her sister, Angus watched Layla whisper something. Maya’s eyes darted to the crowd, picking through the funeralgoers one by one until she spotted Angus. Her eyes widened. Then, despite the events of the day, she smiled.

Ducking her head, Maya whispered feverishly to Layla. At one point, she even pointed to Angus.

Shit , he panicked, wondering how he could have got it so wrong. Of course he shouldn’t have intruded on Layla’s family and their grief, but it was too late now.

The sisters shared a look before Layla darted away from the crematorium. Angus watched her go. Instinct told him to follow her, but he was paralysed by the fear that he had really, truly fucked up. Again.

‘Layla must need a minute,’ the man in front of Angus said. The sudden interruption jolted Angus. He turned to hear the rest of the conversation, but his eye was caught by someone making their way towards him.

‘Maya,’ he said when she reached him. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset Layla. I just wanted to—’

‘Go,’ Maya interjected, jerking her head in the direction Layla fled. ‘I’ll give you two minutes. We’ve got big things to do today, aside from you two finally admitting you love each other.’

Angus stomach flipped. ‘Layla… Layla loves me?’

The comment earned him an eye-roll. ‘Honestly, for smart people you’re both pretty dumb,’ Maya said, before glancing back to Joanna. ‘You have two minutes before Layla needs to be back here. Go.’

Angus didn’t need telling again. He followed Layla, racing down pavements interspersed with moss and ducking through memorial gardens. Charging down a set of stone steps, Angus’s heart flipped when he saw Layla at the bottom of them. Head bowed, she was leaning a hand against a tree for support.

‘Layla,’ he called.

Spinning on her heel, Layla faced Angus. She blinked once, twice, then exhaled an unsteady breath. ‘I wasn’t sure if you were really here or if my imagination was playing a cruel trick,’ she croaked.

‘I’m here,’ Angus confirmed, taking the last of the steps. At the foot of them, so close he could see each of Layla’s freckles, Angus slowed. ‘I’m so sorry about your dad, Layla. I thought about messaging you, but I had to see you in person. I had to know you were okay.’

‘I’m not,’ Layla admitted, doing all she could to fight the wobble of her chin. ‘I’m not okay at all.’

‘That makes two of us,’ Angus joked weakly. ‘Layla, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t sure you’d want me to come today, but I couldn’t not. Even if there was a chance you’d kick me out, I had to be here for you.’

Layla’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Taking her silence as a good sign, Angus willed himself to keep going.

‘I know today isn’t about me or us, but I wanted to say I’m sorry.

I never wanted to lie to you. I just wanted to be worthy of you.

From the moment I met you, I was in awe.

I’d have done anything to be near you. Gone anywhere you wanted, became anyone you liked, but I realise now that the only person you ever wanted me to be was myself.

Well, here I am. Angus Fairview-Whitley, charity founder, fuck-up and all-round okay person who is trying to be better.

I should have introduced myself as him from day one.

I’m sorry it took losing you to make that happen, and I’m sorry for all the hurt along the way. ’

‘You’re sorry?’ Layla echoed. ‘Angus, I’m the one who should apologise. I didn’t give you a chance to explain, then I stood you up.’

‘None of that matters, Layla. Not after what I did. A few cross words and a bit of ghosting is the least I deserve,’ Angus replied, but Layla shook her head.

‘It does matter, Angus. I’m sorry too. I never should have run away or kept you at arm’s length.’ Tears spilled down Layla’s cheeks, each one a hammer to Angus’s heart.

‘Layla, I don’t care about the past,’ he said, stepping closer. ‘I just care about you. What can I do to help you get through today?’

A sad, startled laugh made Layla choke. ‘You want to help me after how I acted?’

‘Yes. All I care about is being beside you. If you would like me there, that is,’ Angus replied, then he bit his lip. ‘I know this isn’t the most romantic time or place, but I need to tell you something. Something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while now. I love you, Layla.’

Shock coloured Layla’s expression. ‘You love me?’

‘I do. So much. I love everything about you. Even the fact that you burn risotto.’ At this, Layla laughed tearfully. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you through this,’ Angus continued. ‘I’m sorry—’

‘Don’t,’ Layla said, eliminating the space between them. ‘We’ve both apologised enough. I don’t want to look back anymore. I only want to look forward. To the future. Our future.’

With a coy smile, Layla took Angus’s hand in hers. Her other hand rested on his chest, feeling his racing heart beneath her palm.

Swallowing hard, Angus tucked a stray strand of hair behind Layla’s ear. She was so close now, all he had to do was lean in…

And for the first time in his life, Angus Fairview-Whitley didn’t listen to doubt or worry. Instead, he trusted. He leaned in.

Falling into him, Layla did the same.

The kiss was slow at first. Tender. Filled with everything Angus had been carrying inside of him for weeks. And as Layla’s arms wrapped around his neck, Angus drew her closer, until he wasn’t sure where he ended and she began.