‘Exactly, that was you again, doing Eminem.’
We’ve both ended up on the grass, leaning againstHermie, our legs stretched out in front of us.
‘How am I going to cope when you leave?’
His question – and I think it was rhetorical – sobers us both up.
‘Let me get you a blanket,’ I say. ‘Just shove my clothes off to one side, or sleep on them, I don’t care. I’ll sort them out tomorrow.’
As I start to get up, he reaches for me and stops me in my tracks. I bump back onto the ground.
‘What?’ I prompt when he doesn’t speak. His fingers are like a red-hot handcuff around my wrist.
‘We will stay in touch, won’t we?’ he asks.
‘Definitely,’ I reply firmly. ‘We’re friends, right?’
‘Yes. Friends.’
I think he’s had more to drink than I have.
‘Areyouhankering for a hug?’ I ask after a moment of us still looking at each other. I’m beginning to feel dizzy.
He grins. ‘Do you want one?’
I consider this, with his fingers still circling my wrist.
‘Maybe.’
‘Come on, then.’ He gets to his feet and pulls me to mine, and there’s absolutely no hesitation before his arms are around me. He’s so warm and solid. So broad and... hmm, yes, big and strong. Wow. I am liking this immensely.
‘Two,’ he says. ‘Three, four...’
I start to giggle.
‘Five, six...’
‘You’re ruining it by counting,’ I complain over his shoulder.
‘Sorry,’ he whispers against my hair. A few seconds later, he releases me. ‘I reckon that was at least eleven seconds,’ he says. ‘But, if you need another one, all you have to do is ask.’
‘The same goes for you, Mr Laurence.’
Chapter 25
I barely slept last night. April stirred when I got into bed, so I gently placed my hand on her chest for a while, stilling her until her breathing became steady again. But I couldn’t relax after that. I was so worried about rolling over and crushing her. As the night wore on, she started to turn in the bed so that her legs were pressing straight into my side, her chubby little feet pummelling me. I tried to curl around her, but there wasn’t a whole lot of room. It brought to mind memories of my childhood cat, Murphy, who would make me feel so honoured when he chosemybed to sleep on rather than Dad’s that I’d do anything to keep him there. Even if it meant folding up into a kinked jellybean shape just so Murphy could have the comfort he so desired.
April is stirring. I lie on my side, facing her, watching as her eyelids flicker open and then close back up again. I wonder what time it is – it feels early.
At least I don’t have a hangover – I stopped at three ciders last night, and they were pretty low-alcohol. I wonder how Charlie is faring.
I peek out through the curtains at the tent, but it’s still zipped up.
I’ve been wondering if Elliot would have minded me hugging Charlie last night. He and I have always been tactile with our friends – he’d pull Bronte into his arms without a second’s thought, and it was the same with her boyfriend and me. We were like that as a foursome: full of open affection for each other.
I feel a pang of longing for my friends on the other side of the world. I decide I’ll mention it to Elliot the next time we speak, just to be on the safe side. In fact, I’ll call him this morning. It’s crazy that we haven’t spoken in almost a week. That’s the longest we’ve gone since we became a couple.
April’s eyes have opened up again and she’s staring atHermie’s ceiling, blinking slowly. I hold my breath, watching her.
