When he starts looking around the space for clues, a distant and unidentifiable part of me feels so drawn to his presence that I automatically go to follow him, until I realise what I’m doing and mentally shake myself. I direct my attention back to the task at hand and steer myself away to look for anything that could resemble a clue. But I can’t find anything of use at all.
Amusingly, I find Elliot staring at a knitted wall hanging with more interest than the average person might. I resign myself to the fact that this is likely a dead end, and sit down next to the fire pit on a huge, flattened cushion that is calling my name. I waste no time taking the opportunity to stretch my legs out and twist my ankles in slow circles after a long day of walking. The balls of my feet throb relentlessly. Thoroughly unsurprising, given I can’t remember the last time I walked so much in such a short space of time.
After a few minutes, Elliot drops down next to me with a sigh and hands me another glass of water.
‘This one is tricky,’ he murmurs, taking a sip of his own.
‘Yeah, it seems to be eluding us.’
Exhaustion from the hunt and so many unpredictable events is starting to envelope my body. I take another deep breath and turn to him.
‘Maybe it just isn’t meant to be.’
His head spins back to me with surprise.
‘Didn’t think you’d give it up so easily, princess. Where’s that scary passion I was subjected to on the day I met you?’
‘You mean yesterday?’ I say, snickering.
‘Oh.’ He blinks. ‘Yeah, I suppose.’
‘It’s still there, it’s just… resting,’ I say, casting my eyes to the fire.
‘More than usual. You haven’t bitten my head off for a good few hours now,’ he notes, his usual smirk sitting comfortably on his face.
‘You’ve been less insufferable than usual.’
‘Thank you,’ he says dryly.
The strumming of a soft guitar emanates from the other side of the tent and a feathery, ethereal voice begins to sing alongside it. The calming sound melts perfectly into the background. Resting my chin on my knee, I close my eyes for a moment todrink it in, savouring the waves of heat from the fire on my cheeks.
It takes me another second to realise they’re singing a cover of a Queen Ego track called “Homecoming”. My eyes shoot open and I look at Elliot with glee. He straightens, sitting up quickly as if he’s been caught.
‘Well, what do you know?’ I say. ‘You know this one?’ My voice comes out a little snarky and I quickly reprimand myself, recalling our conversation earlier about my fan etiquette.
‘I actually love this one,’ he says calmly, watching the musician play. ‘I listened to it a lot last year.’
I’m surprised to hear the admission. ‘It’s not exactly the happiest song. Were you… okay?’
His expression is perfectly plain. ‘It wasn’t the best time, if I’m honest.’
I feel my face soften. ‘I’m sorry. What happened?’
‘A lot of things. I also broke up with someone last summer. We met at uni and she…’ his eyes briefly flicker to me. ‘Well. It didn’t work out,’ he says, shrugging.
My heart starts to beat faster as a result of this new territory we’re treading. Unsure how to respond, I tap my shoes against the worn rug beneath our feet in hesitation.
‘I’m sorry,’ I murmur.
Liar.
‘Don’t be,’ he replies, his voice light.
‘Alright, I won’t.’
I contemplate asking for the full story, but I don’t want to push for the details that he potentially prefers to keep private. My brain is travelling at eight million miles an hour. I can’t help but wonder if this ex-girlfriend broke his heart. Or if he broke hers? The overwhelming curiosity wins almost immediately.
‘So, what happened? With her?’
