It goes against every survival instinct I have but I step into his palms and let him boost me up toward the terrace above us. I scramble over, then lean back and help to pull him up – not that he needs my help.
Lockie lands beside me, less graceful than he probably intended, and we both burst out laughing.
‘Nine out of ten,’ I tell him. ‘The dismount let you down.’
‘Surely I get bonus points for lifting you up in one piece,’ he replies.
I roll onto my hands and knees and stand up. This building gets reconfigured each year, so we could be anywhere. Hopefully it’s the room where they keep the biscuits.
‘Oh my God.’ I twirl on the spot. ‘We’re on the private terrace. The luxury suite terrace.’
He nods, proud of himself.
‘Ta-da!’
‘If the cameras were still rolling, this would be the part where we get a dramatic close-up and romantic music,’ I point out.
He smiles softly as he approaches me.
‘Music or not, it’s pretty romantic,’ he says. ‘Plus, we don’t need music and a montage to dance.’
Before I can reply, he takes my hand and pulls me gently into the middle of the terrace. His other hand finds my waist.
‘Really?’ I laugh in disbelief.
‘Just dance with me,’ he replies.
So I do. We sway, slowly, my arms around his neck, his hands on my hips. The breeze blows through my hair, keeping me cool, and honestly, I don’t think the moment could get any more perfect… until Lockie starts singing ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis Presley – our song – although his impression is terrible.
I snort, bury my face in his shoulder, helpless with laughter.
‘No one would ever get clearance to air that,’ I point out.
‘Thank you – thank you very much,’ he jokes.
He’s singing louder now – well, it’s not like anyone is going to hear, is it? Somewhere between him dipping me and the fits of giggles, I feel myself melting into his arms. I literally cannot help falling for this man; the song is hypnotising me.
‘So, can we get inside?’ I ask, remembering why we’re here. ‘Do they have supplies? A radio?’
‘We can’t actually get inside,’ he says. ‘However… they must have been in the middle of setting up, because there is one thing that they must have accidentally left outside…’
‘Oh?’
Lockie pushes the box towards me.
I plonk down next to it. Lockie joins me, to watch the unboxing.
‘Is it life-saving supplies?’ I ask.
‘Erm, not exactly life-saving,’ he replies. ‘More like… morale-boosting.’
I peep inside and start laughing. It’s the box we opened back in London. The adults-only box of promotional stuff sent to us to promote on the show.
I pull out the giant dildo and cradle it to my chest.
‘My emotional support dildo,’ I coo.
‘See, there’s that smile,’ he says with a laugh. ‘That thing will outlive us all.’
