‘This is Charles,’ Loris replies. ‘We like him.’
Aliah smiles. ‘Hello, Charles. I like you.’
Charles mouths a soundless ‘Hello’ back, intimidated for no logical reason.
Andres claps his hands to gather them around the table. Charles approaches and drapes his coat over the back of the chair Phoebe has pulled up for him. He thanks her, thanks Andres for the beer, but doesn’t sit down with them.
Now that everybody’s attention is on Aliah, who’s resumed telling a story, Loris’ expression is morphing behind the bar. It’s subtle, a tinge of weariness in his eyes, a hint of annoyance in the way he rubs his lips together, but it’s new to Charles, therefore striking.
‘How are you doing?’ he asks, putting his can onto the counter.
Loris looks up from the glasswasher and softens. ‘I’m okay. I’m just tired, this week was—’
‘Please don’t. This is my go-to line.’
‘But it’s true. Short nights, long shifts and sightseeing in between. And I didn’t expect them all to show up tonight. But it’s okay, sleep is for the weak.’
Charles leans on his stool of choice. ‘We can cancel our session on Saturday if you want to—’
‘We can’t. That’s all I’ve been thinking about, while I was working and playing tour guide.’
‘Looking forward to hearing aboutSofia?’
‘Yeah, sure, that too. You’re not ready for my interrogation!’
Charles smiles, rotating the can between his hands. ‘What tourist stuff have you done?’
‘Most landmarks and a couple of museums. And way too much shopping. I hate shopping.Especially in Central London. So many people. And they’re all so slow!’
Loris is spraying the countertop and squeezing the bottle trigger with murderous energy. Laughing, Charles casts a look at the group. Aliah seems laid-back among Loris’ friends. She’s ruffling Andres’ hair. Caressing his cheek. Kissing him lasciviously as his hand slides underneath her cardigan.
Charles starts at the scene, and again when beer spills onto his jumper.
‘Yeah, I hope you’re okay with PDAs.’ Loris rolls his eyes, but they’re tinted with affection.
‘She’s with him now?’
‘What do you mean “now”? They’ve been together since they were in high school. They’re gross, but they’re beautiful inside and out, and I want them to adopt me.’
Charles wipes his chin and blinks to reset his brain, erase his inaccurate conclusion about Aliah and reassess the dynamic in front of him. ‘So your friend is gone?’
‘What friend?’
‘Your shopping-addicted ex. Your guest.’
‘His Eurostar is tomorrow evening.’
‘Whose Eurostar?’
‘Enzo.’
‘Sorry?’
‘Enzo is my guest and he’s leaving tomorrow.’
‘Enzo is your…’
Charles glances back at the table. At theRolling Stonefront cover model, who happens to be staring at them, twisting his plectrum pendant between his black nail-polished fingers.
