Happiness

Flashy cars, luxury trips, fine dining… None of it seemed to impress Sofia at all!

So, I’d like everyone to write a list of five things that make them happy.’ The trainer checked his watch. ‘You have five minutes starting… now.’

When the new owners of his PR firm had arranged team-building days for all their employees, Gary wasn’t keen, but he soon changed his mind when he realised it would mean spending more time with Sofia.

He couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was something about her that drew him in like a magnet.

Gary hurried on and wrote his list in under two minutes: dining at Le Courvoisier, the best restaurant for miles around. Drinking the best wines and Champagne.

Driving his sports car with the roof down. Going on a luxury cruise.

Wearing handmade shoes and designer clothes.

When he was done, he looked round the room. His gaze went straight to Sofia.

Nothing fazed her. Even in high-powered meetings, she stayed calm, stating her views clearly. She didn’t need to shout people down. When she had something to say, people listened.

He’d asked her out within 10 minutes of meeting her.

‘Gary, isn’t it?’ She gave him such a warm smile that he’d been sure she’d say yes – but she didn’t.

‘It’s lovely of you to ask me out, Gary,’ she’d said kindly, ‘but it would never work. We have nothing in common.’

Gary was speechless. He hadn’t been turned down since he was a teenager.

As a boy, he’d been painfully shy. At school, he’d been ignored or bullied, sometimes both, thanks to his lack of confidence and love of books.

He’d spent a year summoning up the courage to ask the girl he loved to a party. When he finally managed it, Jessica laughed in his face, breaking his heart into a million tiny pieces.