A Sky Full of Stars-a FalmouthVerse Side Story

Argyle knocked on the door on a cold, rainy day. The rain continued to pour furiously, like somehow the universe had detected his mood and decided to run with the setting. It always seemed to rain in movies when things were miserable, so perhaps this was just the universe's way of playing a practical joke on him. Almost as if he deserved to be this way.

After a few moments, the door opened, and a familiar face smiled back. "Hello son!" Brad smiled, but dropped the smile when he saw Argyle's face. "What's wrong? Something bad happen?"

Argyle sighed. "It's more something I did. Can I come in?"

Brad nodded. "Of course! No point in having you standing out here like a drowned rat, is there?"

Argyle stepped in through the door and closed it behind him, sighing.

Brad looked at him. "Now then, tell me what's wrong."

Argyle paused for a moment. "I broke up with Goldie."

Brad's jaw dropped. He'd met Goldie a few times and thought she was a perfect match for him. "Why? Things seemed to be going so well between you two!" He stopped. "Was there somebody else?"

Argyle looked down and hung his head. "No. I'm the problem."

Brad looked confused. "Son, you're not making a whole lot of sense. What do you mean, you're the problem?"

"She deserves so much better than me. What have I ever done?"

There was a moment of silence as both men processed what had just been said. But then Brad placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "You really need to stop being so harsh on yourself, Argyle. I know there's enormous pressure placed on people in this country to succeed- but you have succeeded. You've got two degrees from one of the country's top universities, and you're working towards your doctorate. I couldn't have done that! Only the brightest and best possibly could. But not only that, you have a clear passion for what you do. To be honest, I don't entirely understand the whole art history thing, and couldn't tell apart half the artists you mention. But that doesn't matter to me, because no matter what I will support you."

He stopped. "So don't ever say you're not good enough for anybody, Argyle. You're a smart guy, and a generous one too. I lose track of how much time you give to charitable causes or helping others- speaking of which Veronica says the railway needs extra helpers for some sort of project. But that's all good things people look for in others."

Argyle sighed. "Thanks, dad. But I don't know if I can go back. How can I?" He was unsure what to do. Could he come back from a breakup? He hadn't the previous times- the other party had quickly moved on to somebody else, suggesting that they were just about done with the relationship themselves.

"Call her, and ask if you can start again," Brad said. "See how it goes from there."

Argyle nodded. "That's the thing, though. I honestly love her, which is why it hurts so much. But what if she's moved on to somebody else?"

Brad nodded. " That's just a risk you have to take, but I know how that feels. Now then, would you like some tea or coffee? You look like you need warming up."

Argyle nodded. "Coffee would be good."

Goldie scrolled to the number again and pressed dial, hearing the ringing start. She waited a few minutes for the phone to continue ringing, but it soon became clear the person on the other end wasn't answering.

You have reached the voicemail of Argyle Starshine. The person you wish to speak to is unavailable right now. Please leave a message after the tone. To record the message again, press the Hash key."

Goldie sighed in worry, then placed the speaker next to her ear. "Argyle, it's Goldie. Please, give me a call and tell me you're OK."

She then hit red and sat down in a chair, putting her phone down on the table next to her. In the last few days, everything she had known had been flipped upside down.

Since Argyle had broken up with her, she'd felt rather down. She'd tried the best she could to return to normal, but she was legitimately worried for him. She'd contacted the University for his whereabouts, and had looked all around Bristol to try and find him, but he seemed to be nowhere to be found.

And this worried her. Considering the emotional state he was in, she was terrified he'd go and do something... no, she didn't even want to consider that possibility. That was just to horrific to contemplate.

But why? What had prompted Argyle to think he wasn't good enough? He had all the positive traits somebody would look for in a long term partner- kindness, generosity, a good sense of humour, all attributes Goldie thought were important in a person.

Not to mention he treated women like human beings. You'd hope this would be a given in a person, but Goldie knew from experience that this trait was rarer than she had hoped it would be.

Her mind drifted back to a phone call she'd made overseas earlier that day. This had been back home, to try and get some advice.

"...And that's more or less it, really," Goldie said, finishing the story.

"Sounds like you had a bad breakup," said a voice on the other end.

"That's just the thing, dad," Goldie said quietly. "It came completely out of nowhere. I don't know what went wrong. Are all my relationships destined to fall apart?"

"He said he was the problem, right?" Mr Skylight said. "But I agree, it's all rather strange."

Goldie was silent for a moment. "I thought I'd finally found it- a long term relationship. I don't know if I can move on. In Argyle, I ound somebody who I thought loved me for who I am and wasn't solely interested in going to bed with me." She paused. "Sorry for the course language."

"I wouldn't rush into anything, Goldie," her father continued. "Take some time to think things through. For all you know he may return."

Goldie nodded. "Thanks dad."

"No problem, Gloria. Or what is it you go by these days?"

"Goldie."

"Keeping up with all these nicknames is hard enough. I called your little brother Moondust by mistake yesterday!"

"Sounds awkward."

Goldie was suddenly shaken out of her thoughts when her phone buzzed. She walked over to pick it up, and saw the message on the screen was from somebody she'd been hoping to hear from.

Can we meet at the Bristol Coffee Merchant and Canal Company? I have some things I need to tell you.

Argyle.

Goldie immediately typed a reply, then sent it before grabbing her raincoat, hopeful that, at last, she had a chance to resolve the situation in a positive way. Or at the very least part on amicable terms.

On my way.

Sure enough, Goldie found Argyle standing outside the Bristol Coffee Merchant and Canal Company's main entrance. He seemed...different, somehow. He still looked a bit bedraggled, but his mind seemed set.

"Nice weather we're having, aren't we?" he said, referring to the rain.

"Isn't it supposed to be Spring?" Goldie asked, laughing as she did so. Whatever got Argyle into a relative state of ease.

Argyle sighed. "I guess." He paused. "Goldie, I'm sorry about what I said. I deeply regret it, and shouldn't have put that emotional strain on you. I know relationships can be hard, and I don't know if we can go back to how it used to be... but can we try and pick up where we left off?"

Goldie smiled, and pulled him into a hug. "Of course I forgive you," she said gently. "Life often doesn't go the way we expect, and is often full of ups and downs, good and bad. But that's just life. You're a wonderful person, Argyle, and meeting you was one of the best things that ever happened with me. This relationship has brought me joy that I haven't felt in a long time. I know life is a journey full of both smooth roads and potholes, but I want to go on that journey with you. So yes, let's pick up where we left off."

As she said that, the sky seemed to brighten, and rays of sunlight began to pour through a gap in the clouds. The sun and rain mingled in the air and danced in the light, producing a wondrous rainbow that lit up the sky.

Argyle looked up at the sky in amazement. "Talk about great timing," he said. "Cheesy, but also weirdly fitting."

The two of them broke from the embrace, before Goldie spoke up. "Fancy a coffee? I could really do with some caffeine right now."

Argyle nodded. "Let's do it." The pair walked indoors, their future set and firmly back together again.