I snort a laugh, nodding down at the drumstick. ‘Oh, you know. A bit of music. A bit of competition. Just a touch of entrapment. Not exactly how I pictured today going.’
‘Trust me,’ he says, his voice like velvet. ‘Me neither.’
‘We’ll just see how it goes. Honestly, I’m excited to see what other blessings this weekend might bring us,’ I tease. ‘Maybe I’ll chip a tooth or get a hernia.’
He chokes out a surprised laugh. ‘I’m just sorry I’ve pissed you off so badly.’
‘Don’t feel bad, kid,’ Hennie says, appearing over his shoulder. ‘You just made a bad first impression on her.’
‘Any way of undoing that?’ he asks, studying me.
It’s possible he already is, but I stare resolutely ahead with a light smile.
‘Oh, no,’ she says with a laugh. ‘You’re fucked now. One must approach Nora slowly and carefully at first, preferably with a sweet treat being offered. Like she’s a horse.’
I love my friend dearly so I resist glaring at her.
Alas,I knew I would face the horrors.
The horrors at this particular moment: needing the bathroom.
I’ve been quietly ignoring the problem for a while, enjoying Josh and Hennie’s delightful and unexpected debate on whether TrainerTok can be trusted (apparently it cannot) but I’m starting to get desperate. But one of us will have to let go of the stick in order to do this, (Ihope) and I simply refuse to let that person be me. I will not give in this soon and let this be the reason that I lose. My bladder, a mere organ, will not take this from me.
We’re ambling away from the exit of The Warren when I see several painted toilets signs to our left, and prod Elliot’s arm lightly.
My voice is a nervous squeak. ‘Sorry to bring it up so soon, but I um… need the bathroom.’
His eyes flick to the toilet signs quickly, his face betraying no emotion.
‘Sure, of course. I’ll just hold onto it.’
I stare at him without humour.
‘I would never run with it.’ His voice is low and even. ‘I’m a man of my word, Nora.’
Interesting. Believable, almost. But I shan’t be fooled.
‘Nice try, champ, but there’s no way I’m leaving you out here with this. Even with Hennie. She’s strong but has little legs and won’t be able to chase you if you run.’
Hennie narrows her eyes at him with contempt, knowing this is accurate.
He tilts his head at me curiously. ‘You really think I would do that?’
I blink. What does he expect? I’ve barely known this guy for an hour.
Owen steps forward, adding to the discussion in earnest. ‘Listen, he won’t leave with it. Really. And we wouldn’t let him anyway.’
I purse my lips and eye the drumstick between us again. ‘I’d feel more comfortable taking it with me and meeting you here. You can follow me right to the door if you want.’
Elliot’s face twists into disgust. ‘You must know how grim those toilets are.’
‘I won’tholdit while I’m in there, don’t be obscene,’ I snarl. ‘I’ll just put it in my bag. And I can’t run away, obviously. Then we can resume as soon as I step out. Deal?’
‘Fine, deal.’ He doesn’t sound thrilled, but he motions to walk towards the first row of steps to the toilets anyway. With amusement lacing his raspy voice, he quietly adds, ‘That might be the first time anyone’s called meobscene.’
‘It might not be the last!’ I hear Hennie call as we make our way up the stairs.
This is truly awful. What a situation I’ve somehow cultivated.
