A moment later, I almost missed the muttered ‘Any time’.
Chapter Eight
Lydia’s Diary, 11 Years Old
Dear Diary,
I start big school tomorrow and haven’t told anyone, but I’m really scared.I keep looking at my uniform on my bed, and my stomach won’t stop flipping over.
The only good thing is that Ren will be there too, so at least I’ll know one person.
We spent the whole summer climbing trees in his garden.He has this huge oak tree, and he dared me to climb it one day.I was scared, but I did it anyway.Ren looked impressed.
Maybe school will be okay.
Love,
Lydia
Lydia
We reached the little campsite as the sun began to set.
On the descent from Jacob’s Ladder, we went past Kinder Downfall, a waterfall amidst craggy rocks.After the steep climb, the sound of the rush of water had been soothing, relaxing even.Peggy dipped down towards the stream, taking in gulps of water.I smiled, glancing over to Ren as Mandy described how the rock formation had come to be.I found him looking at me, a slight smile on his face, as if he knew exactly how much I liked the sound of the water, Peggy’s tentative paddle, and the view of the waterfall.I glanced away quickly.
‘Okay, ladies.’ Mandy’s booming voice carried on a gust of wind across the campsite.‘And gentleman.Sorry, Ren.This might be your first time camping, but let’s try and get the tents up as soon as we can, as the sun will be gone in …’ She glanced at her Fitbit.‘About twenty-five minutes.So I’d like everyone to pair up.That is your tent buddy.If you are already sharing, like Jade and Claire, then just get your own tent up before helping others.’
The campsite smelled of cut grass and damp earth.It was empty apart from us, and I wondered if not many people liked the idea of camping on a random Monday in April.It was a wide open, secure field, which meant Peggy could roam free, with some brick buildings at the rear that housed the toilets and showers I’d been promised.
Mandy continued her speech, but my mind was spinning about the tent shoved into my backpack.God, it was at the bottom of so much crap I’d packed.I threw my pack to the floor, shifting through the stuff – changes of clothes, toiletries, and enough snacks to get me through an apocalypse.
‘So I guess it’s just us left.’
A deep voice next to me sounded, and my stomach dropped.I’d been teetering far too close to being friendly with Ren at the top of the mountain earlier.I blamed the beautiful view and the talk of Lily.I couldn’t be a bitch with that combination.I glanced up to find Ren’s tentative expression, which made him look so young and boyish.God, I hated that his hair flicked in front of his forehead, making me want to push it back.
‘For the tents,’ he said.‘Everyone else is paired up.I thought we could choose that spot over there.Far enough away from the toilets to avoid the stink, close enough if we need to run through the dark for a wee in the night.’ He shuddered.‘Not looking forward to that.’
‘Still scared of the dark?’
He gave me a droll look.‘Terrified.’
‘We’re not pitching our tents next to each other.’ I pointed to the spot he’d picked.Annoyingly, it was the perfect spot.High enough ground and flat too.A tree was nearby so that might provide shade from the morning sun.
‘We have to.Mandy said,’ Ren summarised.
‘And since when do you listen to authority?’ I arched a brow.
Ren was perfectly happy challenging authority.He’d talk back to teachers, then don an amused, triumphant smile when he was ordered out of the room.I was almost envious of the casual way he slung his backpack and slunk off to the head teacher.Sometimes, he would bunk off school, declaring he had lost his way to the office.
‘I like a bit of authority.Of course, it all depends on who’s in charge.’ His eyes danced and my mind flashed an image of his palm wrapped around my wrist.My body flushed.Stupid, stupid hormones.
‘Fine.’ I said, my voice a little uneven.‘But only ’cos it’s the best spot.’
Ren’s lips twitched as he held his hand out for my backpack, which in a cowardly fashion I handed over, mainly because I was knackered, and despite being strong enough to deadlift Ren’s entire body, Ihadpacked too much for the trip.
Ren strode to the spot and began taking out his tent, laying it flat on the floor with all the poles and pegs.Peggy came over, using Ren’s proximity to the ground as an excuse for some fussing, which he gave her until she trotted off elsewhere.Ren turned back to the tent and began assembling it.I bit my lip.He’d clearly done this before, and I hated feeling out of my depth.I pushed away that feeling and copied him, laying my tent next to his, but far enough away that I was sure I wouldn’t hear his breathing at night or the odd time I knew he sleeptalked.
Ren cocked an inquisitive brow at the distance between our tents but mentioned nothing.I began to put up my tent, wrestling with the poles, when I felt a warm hand come over mine.
