“That’s okay – if it’s okay with Amelie.”
“She’s making me pay for them, so I think she’s cool with it.” He looked at the underwear he’d found.
“Any idea who that belonged to?” She had good taste, whoever it was.
“I don’t think they’ve been there that long. Couple of possibilities though, but I do remember them.” He put them into a bin bag.
“So you remember the underwear but not who it belonged to?” I shook my head at him, almost disgusted.
“Pretty much. Don’t be judgey. Still okay to go sofa shopping?” He dropped the bag and stretched, his T-shirt tightening across his chest.
I tried not to stare. “Sofa shopping’s fine. Then lunch and a walk.” Which sounded perfect.
“I’ll buy you lunch.”
“Damn right.”
October, Twelve Years Ago
“It’s so good to be back.” I squished down into the patterned sofa, pulling a hand-knitted blanket over me. “I wished I could’ve come back in March, but I ended up being the support act.”
Caleb sat down on the other end of the sofa and tussled me for it. We were at his step-mum to be’s flat above the Puffin Inn, which was where Caleb stayed most of the time. He’d phone me up over summer, completely traumatised, as he’d gone home earlier than he’d been expected and found his dad and Amelie testing the strength of the kitchen table.
“You’re here now. It’s the best time of the year too.” He reached over for me, moving me on the sofa like I weighed nothing. I ended up lying against his chest, sat in between his legs, the blanket now over both of us.
“I know you love autumn. Why?” I rested my hands on his thighs and tried to remember the last time I’d been touched by a friend. There were hugs because that was good for photos and appearances, and there were dance routines that could feel more intimate than a kiss, but nothing like this.
Caleb wrapped his arms around my stomach, not even brushing anywhere else which I’d think was disappointing when I over analysed everything later.
“The town goes quiet and it feels like we get it back from the tourists. The sea’s wild, so it’s harder on the water, which I like, and I love the storms and how nice it is when we’re in the pub downstairs with the fire lit. I know I sound like an old man.” His chin caught the skin of my shoulder, exposed from the baggy sweater I’d thrown on. It was rough, but it felt good. Something else to think about later.
“You do, but that’s okay. I like it best here too when it’s autumn and winter, before it gets busy. Is Amelie okay with me staying here?” I’d asked this about six times already.
“She’s fine with it. I think she liked the fact that Sarina finished with me when she knew you were staying. She wasn’t a Sarina fan.” He stretched out a bit more. “You’re a good blanket.”
I wondered if Sarina had been a good blanket too.
“You didn’t tell me you and Sarina had broken up.” He’d been with her since mid-summer. She was in the same college as him and he’d talked quite a bit about her since June-time.
“I wouldn’t be lying on the sofa with you like this if we were still together. I know we’re just friends, but it wouldn’t be fair.” He reached over to pick up the bottle of beer on the table nearby.
“Did she really split up because I was staying?” I twisted round so I could look at him. “Seriously?”
“There were other reasons and it wasn’t exactly the romance of the century.” He finished the beer and put the bottle down, getting comfy again. “Don’t worry about it.”
“You’re always single when I’m here.”
“I’m nearly always single. I’m eighteen; I’m keeping my options open.” He rubbed his chin against the exposed skin.
I started to giggle, liking the feel and closeness. Caleb had always been touchy feely and not in a bad way. He was free with hugs with anyone who wanted one, really, at ease with himself and the world around him, which he said was what came of nearly dying when he’d had liver failure.
“How are your options?” He stilled. “Met anyone you like enough yet?”
I knew he was referring to my virginity. We hadn’t mentioned it since I was last here and I hadn’t talked about any dates or hook ups because there’d been none.
“No one. The convent is looking more likely.” Which would be a shame because I was interested in sex.
“Nah, you’re too pretty for a convent. You’ll meet someone. Anyone who isn’t interested in you back would be a fool.” He scraped his chin on my shoulder again.
