Roman has the decency to fight the grin that threatens his face. ‘Are you?—’
‘I’m fine,’ I snap, pushing myself up, heat flooding my face.
Eliza wipes at her eyes as her words emerge between giggles. ‘You’ve always had a knack for ending up with mud on your face.’
I force a weak smile, pretending like I’m not dying inside. Roman might only be here because I’ve forced him to be, but he’s still my seriously hot neighbour, and one person who hadn’t quite seen me at full patheticdom. Oh well, another one to laugh at me.
Roman takes a step toward me. ‘Seriously, are you okay?’
‘I said I’m fine,’ I repeat, a little too quickly. ‘I just need a minute.’
Before anyone can respond, I turn and head for the fence at the edge of the field, boots squelching, hands sticky with mud. I’d say my pride is hurt, but honestly, I don’t have much to begin with.
The pigs are there. Three great brown bodies snuffling around their pen, hopeful that I’ve come bearing food.
‘Morning, boys,’ I sigh, leaning on the fence. ‘Don’t look at me like that. I know I’m a mess, but you are hardly ones to talk.’
They grunt.
Footsteps approach behind me. I don’t turn around. Hopefully, if I ignore them, they’ll bugger off.
Roman comes to stand beside me, resting his arms on the top of the fence.
‘They’re called Hewie, Dewie, and Louie,’ I say, trying to find anything to talk about other than my fall.
‘Memorable.’ Roman watches them, looking faintly scared when Louie gets closer.
‘They’re pretty useful. Excellent at disposing of bodies. Not that we take many home. But sometimes it’s unavoidable.’
He turns his head slowly to look at me. ‘Are you kidding?’
‘I’m not. I wouldn’t advise getting too close, they can be a bit bitey.’
We stand quietly, listening to pig snorts and the distant crack of clay being hit.
‘Thank you for going along with everything.’ I pick at the fencing, separating little wooden shards from the bulk of the board.
‘I’m just doing what you told me to do. Just in case you aren’t all bluster and I’m actually surrounded by killers.’
‘You don’t believe me?’
‘It’s pretty unbelievable, to be fair.’ Roman shrugs.
‘I wish I were lying.’ I sighed. ‘For what it’s worth, you’re better at this than I am. Theylikeyou. I’ve known them for twenty-nine years, and I don’t think I’ve ever impressed any of them.’
Roman turns to face me, narrowing his eyes a touch. ‘Why do you need them to be impressed by you?’
I snort. Then wince. ‘Have you never wanted your family to think you’re not a waste of space?’
‘I only have my Gran.’
‘I bet she thinks the sun shines out of your perfectly solid ass.’
Roman grins. ‘Glad to see you’ve noticed how perfect it is – a lot of squats have gone into it. As it happens, my Gran thinks I speak a load of horseshit.’
‘She’s not wrong,’ I say, lifting my brows.
He studies me, then he lifts his hand.
