I turned to see Gen beside me.She’d appeared without a sound and, from the look on her face, she wasn’t here to make friends.Gen had light brown skin, long dark hair that was braided today, and an expression that said she was perpetually unimpressed with you.Or maybe that was just for me.
I cleared my throat.My palms were already sweating.‘What do you mean?’
Gen levelled me a look.‘Don’t play dumb, pretty boy.’
‘You think I’m pretty, huh?’
‘If you break her heart again, I will kill you,’ Gen said, low.‘And I’m very good at making things look accidental.It’s amazing how many accidents happen on hikes, you know.’ She gave me a lazy smile.‘And we’re headed to very remote places.Slippery rocks, a gust of wind…’
She held my gaze.My stomach dropped.
‘Jesus,’ I gulped, like a goofy cartoon character.This woman was effective.I felt oddly comforted, knowing Lydia had her in her corner.
‘Look, I’m not—’
Gen held up a hand.‘Don’t care,’ she said flatly.‘I came here to threaten you and leave.’
Gen was a few steps in front of me when I called, ‘Does she know about the tattoo?’
She turned, giving me a sharp look.‘No.It would have been confusing for her, after you left that note.And I don’t chat shit about my clients, even ones I don’t particularly like.’
Gen picked up the pace, returning to Amy and Lydia.Lydia turned, a curious look on her face as she scanned me like she was worried Gen had left scratch marks.
I gave her a tentative smile, but she turned away fast, her blonde ponytail swinging.
‘This isn’t going to be an easy trip, Peggy,’ I said, but even she left me to sniff a tree stump.
The sun broke through the clouds in bursts, lighting up the wet grass and woolly sheep as we crossed Edale Valley.I kept my distance, as Lydia had asked.Still, there was something grounding about being near her again – watching her attentive expression as Amara explained the birds of the Peak District or her face tilting to the sky like she was savouring the sun on her face.
But then some things began to grate on me.As Jade began to snap photos, Lydia offered to help carry some of her equipment, even though she had the biggest backpack of everyone here.Then she began walking on the grass verge or at the edges of puddles, her boots squelching through mud, just so everyone else could stay dry.She offered Claire the last of her water when Claire upturned her flask, bemoaning that she’d run dry.
Classic Lydia.Always making herself uncomfortable so others didn’t have to.
Two hours in, as we reached Jacob’s Ladder, I noticed her slowing, her smile fading.
‘Tired?’ I murmured, as the others pushed on ahead of us.
‘No,’ she said quickly.‘Just warm.’
She adjusted her pack, sweat glinting on her brow.She was a little pink, still carrying Jade’s kit bag, because of course she was.
‘Give me your pack,’ I said.
‘It’s fine.’
‘Lydia.’
She looked at me then – defiant, exhausted, and, of course, beautiful.There was an ache in my throat.Would she ever let me in again?
‘Let me help,’ I said, more quietly now.‘Just this once.’
She handed me her pack.I misjudged the weight and it dropped straight to the ground.Lydia gave me that smug, little smile she wore whenever she beat me at anything – Wii tennis, downing pints, life.She was a born competitor, and I was happy to be her favourite rival.
‘Too heavy for you, huh?’
‘Take off your top.’
The smile vanished.Colour bloomed in her cheeks and crept down her neck.Her eyes softened, hazy, and I knew exactly where her mind had gone.Same place mine had.
