NOT THE RIGHT ALEX
Daisy was standing in front of the mirror for the third time, swapping her earrings again.
Well, what do you think, Button? she asked her little dog, these or the other ones?
Button yawned in response.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Daisy grinned.
She glanced at the clockstill thirty more minutes. That nervous flutter started up again. Usually, she felt calm and self-assuredboys always seemed to chase after her. But this time
Oh, dont be daft, she told herself, giving her reflection a once-over. You look amazing!
Maybe it was all because shed never met Alex in person. Three weeks of chatting on the phone, not a single face-to-face.
Three weeks and I havent managed to get a word in edgeways, she thought suddenly, and smirked.
Daisy let out a deep sigh and grabbed her handbag.
It was time.
THREE WEEKS AGO
Oh Daisy, are you ever going to get married and move out? her dad sighed over dinner. He just got back from a full day at the hospital and was hoping for a quiet evening with his Terry Pratchett novel.
But Daisy had been chattering away non-stop, comparing classic British sci-fi authors to American ones.
Dad, you always say Pratchetts the best
Well, yes. Can we talk later? I just want a bit of peace tonight.
Daisy pouted and kept quietfor a whole three minutes.
By the way, speaking of getting married her dad perked up. You remember Dr. Spencerthe head of the surgery department where I used to moonlight?
Vaguely.
Hes got a son, Alex. Heard hes a fine young man. Spencer asked for your number. I said it was alright to give it to him.
Daisy pulled a face.
These sorts of arranged introductions felt so old-fashioned. That was the sort of thing for people who were desperateshe certainly wasnt!
But she didnt have the nerve to argue with her dad.
THE FIRST CALL
The fine young man waited a few days before ringing.
Hello?
Hi, this is Alex. Did your dad mention me?
He did, Daisy replied, coolly but with a hint of curiosity. His voice was rather nice.
My dad has nothing but good things to say about you. Said youresomewhat extraordinary.
Well, I dont know about that! Daisy laughed. Just a typical medical studentpaediatrics at St. Marys. What about you?
Kings Collegestudying surgery.
Well, that explained his slightly cocksure tone.
They talked for an hour.
And then for another two.
Pretty soon, it was every day.
Alex told her about his cat, Martha, his obsession with sci-fi, and his constant insecuritywas he too skinny, too pale, did he look too knackered?
Daisy listened, but sometimes she had to stop herself from saying, Alex, honestly, just chill for once!though he hated being called Al.
Minor annoyances aside, she found herself enjoying it.
THE MEETING AT OXFORD CIRCUS
After a while, they agreed to meet up.
At Oxford Circus tube station.
A film first, then a walk down to Starlight Café on Regent Street for some ice cream.
And after thatwell, who knows.
Daisy sprang out of the tube carriage and looked around.
Crowds everywhere, the familiar scent of the Underground.
And there he wastall, rather handsome, holding a bunch of roses.
He stood by the pillar, his eyes scanning every train as it rolled in.
Daisy strode forward.
Alex?
The young man jumped, looking at her a bit lost.
Sorry, are you
Daisy, she said firmly, and held out her handhalf handshake, half expecting a kiss.
Stunned by my looks, she thought to herself, grinning. And now hes gone all formal again
He stood there frozen.
Daisy? he echoed uncertainly. But I
Come on! She grabbed his sleeve. We need to pick up the tickets!
Wait, theres something I wanted to say
Well talk later! she cut him off, dragging him towards the steps.
He glanced back at the platform as if searching for someone, but Daisy had already whisked him off into the crowd.
His roses were still clutched in his hand.
He glanced at the flowers, then at herand simply shrugged.
Alright, he said softly, lets go.
FILM AND ICE CREAM
They both enjoyed the film.
Daisy also noticed how stylish her date wassmart coat, scarf knitted by someones mum, wrapped artistically around his neck (and he certainly seemed proud of it).
The faint scent of expensive French aftershave.
Delicious vanilla ice cream with that perfect crispy shell at Starlight.
And the way they seemed to agree on almost everything.
Well, Daisy did most of the talking, and he just listened, wide-eyed and attentive, nodding and agreeing at the right moments.
Every now and then, hed place his warm, broad hand over hers when she got especially animated.
So gentlemanly and, if she was honest, quite sexy.
You know, he said during their stroll down the evening side streets, youre just so (he hesitated).
So what? she asked, her guard up.
Full of life. So genuine.
Daisy flashed her most dazzling smilethe sort that was borderline legendary.
She was smitten.
THREE MONTHS LATER
The relationship moved fast.
They were meeting up practically every day, and phoning each other as often as possible (pity it was before the days of smartphones, or theyd never be off the line).
Three months in, Alex said he loved Daisy, couldnt live without her, and that he wanted to get married.
Daisy, pretending to think it over for ten minutes just for show, gleefully agreed.
Youll have to meet my parents then, the future groom said, slightly worried.
Lets wait with all that, Daisy replied, alarmed.
Her folks were ridiculously picky when it came to potential sons-in-law.
Especially her gran.
No one, in her eyes, was good enough for her precious granddaughter, and Daisys mum and dad usually sided with her.
She had no intention of giving Alex up, but she wasnt in a rush for introductions, eitherjust in case someone let something slip.
DADS BIRTHDAY
An opportunity came a couple of weeks later.
Dad, who usually shunned big parties, decided to throw a little do for his fifty-fifth and invited a bunch of friends.
Daisy mysteriously announced she wouldnt be on her own.
Everyone had nearly gathered when Daisy let her fiancé ina bouquet of carnations in one hand, a bottle of cognac tucked under his arm.
Dad, Id like you to meet she began, all nerves and pride.
The phone rang.
One secback in a jiff, her dad said, dashing off.
He returned, puffing, a couple of minutes later.
That was Spencerwanted to check directions. Im so glad hes coming, thought hed still be upset about you not turning up for the date with his son!
Daisy froze.
Not turning up?
Her dad looked at her, confused.
Well, yeah. He told me his son waited ages at Oxford Circus. With flowers. You never showed.
Daisy slowly turned to Alex.
He was standing by the doorpale, holding the carnationslooking at her guiltily.
Well be right back, she hissed at her bewildered father.
Snatching Alex by the sleeve, she pulled him into her bedroom.
THE TRUTH
Daisy shut the door behind them.
Then she faced him.
Wait a moment, she said slowly, as if afraid of the answer. What do you mean, never showed?
Alex was silent.
Youre not Alex Spencer?
He shook his head.
No. Im Alex Saunders. My mate introduced me to a girlCharlotte. I was waiting for her at Oxford Circus. Then you turned up and
And I whisked you away, Daisy finished.
They stood in her room, unsure what to say next.
I tried to tell you, he said. That first day. On the way to the cinema. But you didnt listen.
I never do, she admitted. Its a skill of mine.
Button started to whimper by the door.
Daisy flopped onto the bed.
So what now?
Alex looked at herlong and hard, just a little too seriously.
He walked over and knelt beside her.
Well, to be honest, I dont care how we met. By fluke or through our dadsit makes no odds.
I love you, and I want you to marry me. For real. No mix-ups.
Daisy smiled, all the tension melting away.
Deal. Right, time to meet the parents. Fair warning thoughmy familys a handful.
And mines no picnic, either. Plus, Ive got a cat with a serious attitude.
Well manage.
They left the room together.
In the living room, the guests were waitingand among them was Dr. Spencer, just arriving, his son in tow.
Tall. Handsome. Holding a bouquet of roses.
Daisy looked at the real Alex Spencer.
Then she looked at her Alex, pale and nervous, gripping those carnations.
Nah, she thought, definitely not the right one.
And she burst out laughingproperly, at last.
Dad, she said, Ive got a story for you. Its a long oneSo Daisy launched into her wild tale right there beside the cake and the pile of presents, while relatives and friends stared, slack-jawed and tickled. Button scampered in circles, yapping excitedly at all the new feet. The room bubbled with surprise, gasps, laughterthe consternation of her parents, the bewilderment of the two Alexes, and finally, the slow, delighted dawning on every face. Everyone agreed: that, surely, was a classic Daisy story.
Much later, when the last guest waved goodbye and Button had curled up at Daisys feet, Alex took her hand, threading his fingers through hers. If we make it through all this, he whispered, just think of the stories well tell. Daisy grinned at him, warmth spreading in her chest.
Well tell them together, she said.
Outside, somewhere in London, a bouquet of forgotten roses made its own way home. Inside, Daisy and her not-quite-the-right-but-perfect Alex danced awkwardly in the empty living room, spinning, laughing, the very best mix-up at the heart of a perfectly right beginning.
