‘Yep.’
‘It may have escaped your notice but neither of us have a horse. I know Bruce is the size of a baby donkey, but still. He’s not a horse. I’m not sure popping by his business is going to work as a credible plan. I mean, I do have access to a high-quality pantomime horse but unless Tyler has the same IQ as a teabag he may see through our cunning disguise.’
Nora gave him a nudge for his cheekiness.
‘Ouch.’
‘Wuss.’
‘You know I bruise like an out-of-date peach,’ he said, rubbing his arm.
‘He is a farrier but he makes stuff like gates and things. So no horse required.’
‘Good. I’ll stand down Dobbin.’
There was a round of applause as Trent strode into the centre wearing disturbingly tight shorts. ‘Great, just what I need,’ said Nora.
Trent was keen to maximize the returning-hero moment. Jay and Nora watched from the bench.
‘Good to see you back, Trent,’ said Jay.
‘On the road to recovery, I hope,’ said Nora, turning towards Trent and finding herself face to face with his bulging shorts. She didn’t know where to look but given his proximity her options were limited so she puther head back until her eyes met his, but it was a very unnatural angle to have her neck at.
‘A few scars physically and emotionally,’ said Trent. ‘But I will heal.’ He held his palms together in front of him as if praying or blessing the top of Nora’s head.
‘Yep, you do that,’ said Nora.
‘It’s incredible how a near-death experience can be life-changing,’ said Trent without a flicker of sarcasm.
‘Maybe everyone should try it,’ said Nora.
Trent nodded sagely. ‘It’s an interesting concept that I’d like to explore,’ he said. And Nora was pretty sure he wasn’t taking the piss. Nora’s neck was aching from keeping it fully tilted upwards. As she relaxed it a fraction she came face to face with Trent’s tight shorts once again. ‘Can I get you a coffee while we talk about it further?’ he asked.
Jay leaned into her shoulder and the contact made an unexpected shiver run through her body. He whispered, ‘One lump or two?’
‘No, thanks, I’ve got to dash,’ she blurted to Trent, grabbing her stuff and skirting past him as she and Jay almost ran for the exit.
Outside they got a bit giggly. She loved how much she laughed with Jay.
‘Trent should get an Equity card. He’s a better actor than I am.’ Nora laughed and Jay waved his arms about. ‘That’s the part where you say, “Nooo, Jay, there is no greater actor than you!”’
‘Sorry. You’re right. You are an excellent actor. The best in the business apart from Gary Oldman.’
‘Accepted,’ said Jay.
‘And Idris Elba, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ewan Mc—’
‘OK, that’ll do. My ego is shrinking with every name and it’s about to turn itself inside out. At least you didn’t say Steven Seagal.’
Nora pouted and Jay slow-blinked at her.
‘Don’t even go there,’ he said.
‘I was joking. Unlike Trent who is very serious about his life-changing experience.’ They both chuckled. ‘He’s definitely seizing every opportunity to milk this. Me getting stuck has kicked off a whole new chapter for him.’
‘Talking of new chapters, shall you, me and Bruce track down Tyler tomorrow?’
‘Great. I’ll finish work early and we can go then but do we really need to bring Bruce? He’ll only be an hour on his own, tops.’
