‘You were very sneaky last night,’ she says teasingly as I begin to dry up. ‘Everyone wondered where you disappeared off to.’
‘Sorry. I popped inside to use the loo and just crashed. I was so tired.’
‘Hmm.’
She can’t be on to me already …
‘Have you got any plans for today?’ she asks, and I feel as though I might have dodged a bullet.
‘No.’
‘It’s Bethan’s birthday.’
‘Is it?’
‘I know, she kept it very quiet. But Harri’s working and she’s at a loose end, so I wondered about doing a pampering afternoon for her.’
‘That sounds fun.’
‘Oh, and I’m baking her a carrot cake,’ she adds. ‘It’s her favourite.’
‘I heard! What can I do?’
‘You can come with me to the shop to get some supplies if you like?’
‘Sure.’
Ash texts me at eleven thirty:You invited me over last night.
I did, I reply, smiling.
My text messages must have got through at last.
There’s no reception at the cabin.
I gathered.
Does this mean you’ve changed your mind about being seen with me?
No, it means you can carry on as normal with your friends, but you’ve got to pretend I’m just your gardener.
He doesn’t reply.
I text him again.Are you angry?
His answer comes after a few seconds.That’s too strong a word.
Upset?
A little.
I bite my lip, staring at my phone.I’m sorry.
It’s OK. I get it.
Bethan, Siân and I spend the afternoon sitting on the sofas, wearing face masks, eating carrot cake and watchingGlee, Bethan’s favourite TV show from when she was a teenager.
Siân keeps pausing the TV to add to a playlist she’s making of the original versions of the songs. It’s the sort of thing I used to do with Stella, and my happiness is a touch bittersweet. But I do feel optimistic for these new friendships.
