She tips her head in the direction of the main path. ‘They just dropped me off and went back to pee. Anyway, back to you: are you genuinely okay with this? I’m worried. Do I need to sleep on the grass outside the tent?’
‘Hen,’ I say in my most reassuring voice. ‘Honestly, I’m okay. You don’tneed to worry. I’ll text you immediately if I need you, alright?’
‘Fine. I’m just slightly concerned he’s fallen in love with you and it was his plan tolureyou to his tent via drumstick agreement all along.’
‘Hush,’ I hiss in outrage, hoping that Elliot hadn’t heard her. ‘That’s not even close to what’s happening.’ The purehumiliation of him hearing that Hennie could think I’manyway in his league hits me like a punch to the gut.
She rolls her eyes. ‘Sure, sure. If you trust him though, fine.’
I give her a long hug and pull back to pat her little cheeks.
‘Love you, Harty,’ she whispers. ‘Sleep good!’
‘Love you too,’ I whisper back with a small smile.
She steps back and starts to retreat before turning back to me. ‘If you don’t report to our camp by eleven a.m. I’m calling a search party, okay? And then I’ll ruin his life. I’m feeling violent these days,’ she announces.
I watch her tiny frame disappear behind a tent and look back at Elliot’s, a strange anticipation filling my limbs. I huff out a sigh of frustration before making my way back inside.
I’mecstatic to find that Hennie included make-up remover in my tote and almost moan with relief when I rub away the make-up, grit and glitter from my face.
Feeling like a new person, I look at Elliot to ask him to turn away while I change but his eyes are already on me, anchored to my features. Now entirely un-made-up. I resist the urge to cover my face.
I swallow. ‘Would you mind turning round for a second?’
‘Making plans to steal the stick and run?’ he jokes, his voice rough.
‘Not yet. I am making serious plans to get undressed though.’
He blanches at my words and quickly complies, turning to face the opposite corner of his tent. I breathe a sigh of relief when I replace my outfit with the warm embrace of my fluffy pyjamas. I could weep.
Elliot’s hoodie is the perfect second layer over the top of them as it is getting colder by the minute, I have to admit. I crawl onto his bed with maximum awkwardness and give him the all clear.
He switches off his lamp and pulls a knitted jumper on. I narrow my eyes to see what the front depicts in the darkness as he slowly reclines next to me, being very careful not to touch me. I’m not convinced he’s even breathing.
I can’t suppress rolling my eyes at his laughably obvious effort to stay physically as far away from me as possible.
I get it! I am a worm!
He lies on his back completely still, his clean and woody scent reaching me. Every part of me wants to laugh at the bizarre nature of this situation.
‘Nice crocodile,’ I whisper, breaking the silence.
‘Do you have a problem with my attire?’ He narrows his eyes at me in the dark. Perhaps he’s sensitive about his knitwear.
‘No, it’s lovely,’ I say quickly. ‘Beautiful work.’
‘You’re mocking it.’
‘Not at all. The enormo-tent is a safe space. All attire is good.’
‘Thank you, my nan made it.’ He snorts. ‘I was just patiently waiting for you to turn on your organ music.’
‘Oh. Yeah.’
‘I’m looking forward to hearing this.’ I can hear the smile in his voice.
‘Ah,’ I put on my most disappointed voice. ‘I can’t. My phone is dead.’
