“Briefly. It was a stop in the street conversation.”
“Oh…well yes, it is happening at the festival, at least for the press. This was the real thing, the boring part if you like, but it was still one hell of a celebration,” I say rubbing my head, trying not to dwell too much on Ash’s trip to New York. There was no mention of when it was happening or how long he would be there. I can only hope it’s a quick trip and selfishly, I pray it doesn’t affect us too much. Despite what we say to each other and the determination we both have to make it work, I hate the thought of not being around him.
“Look, I’ll do my best to help you out, but just a warning, Rosie is not in the best of moods today.” Scott leans in. “She’s cracking the whip.”
“I heard that young man,” Rosie shouts from the kitchen.
“She was meant to,” Scott winks, which throws me off guard, but I don’t have a second to analyse it.
“Keep your winking eyes away from my girl, Knox.”
I turn on my heel to find Ash standing there, the smile on his face confirming his little joke. “Don’t be gross, she’s my sister,” Scott says—smiling, but I’m not. His comment has unsettled me.
“Too soon?” Scott asks, and I press my lips together, not giving him an answer. “It is too soon. I’m sorry.” Embarrassed, he walks out back, and I feel bad for making him uncomfortable.
I turn to Ash. “Was that mean of me?”
“Nah, Scottie’s got thick skin, he’ll survive.”
“I hope you’re right. We’re only just learning how to become friends again.” I take a breath then change the subject. “Anyway, what are you doing here? Missing me already?”
“You know it… and you left your bag at mine. I’m guessing you need it.”
“Oh God, I didn’t even realise it was missing,” I confess. “I’m just not the full can of beans today,” I say, rubbing my make-up free eyes. I couldn’t coordinate my hands to put anything on my face this morning. “Thanks for bringing it over. You didn’t have to.”
“Any excuse to see you.”
I bite my lip, head tilted to one side with excitement in my stomach. I’m momentarily taken back to our school days and remember how badly I fancied Ash back then.
“Pack it in you two. I’m not feeling the whole third wheel vibe today,” Scott says when he reappears. Ash was right. If I had upset him with my silence earlier, he isn’t showing it now.
“I’ll leave you to it before Miss Lee gives me a piece of her mind,” Ash says, looking around for my boss.
“Oh, you don’t need to worry. You’re one of her favourites,” Scott says.
“Yeah, I’ve noticed that too,” I chime in.
“I can hear you lot, you know,” Rosie shouts. “I don’t have favourites, although Ashton can’t help it if he was one of my best students.”
I lean over the counter and whisper, “Told you. Now who’s a teacher’s pet?”
Scott smirks and Ash holds up his hands. “I can’t help it guys. It’s like a gift.” Ash takes a few steps backwards, still talking but heading for the exit. “Coming to practise with me tonight?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I answer. “Pick me up at 6pm?”
“Can you meet me there? Bernie wants to start at 4pm. He’s booked extra rehearsal time
since we only have three days to go.”
“Will do. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
“Done.” He gives me a wink, one that far exceeds Scott’s—which is how it should be. Scott is my brother. A fact I’m slowly coming to terms with.
“He’s really into you, you know,” Scott says while we watch Ash leave.
“I hope you’re right, Scott. I’m banking my future withhim; I just hope we survive this next year. It’s going to be tough.”
“With the separation?”
