I spot Seth running over from across the road. He’s wearing a scruffy black T-shirt, a black hoodie and faded black jeans. His hair is all mussed up, like he forgot tocombit.
‘I didn’t recognise you without your…’ Seth says, gesturing tohishead.
‘My curls. Yeah. I’m more incognito like this,’ I say, touching my straight locks. ‘No random people shouting “watch me piddle” in thestreet.’
Seth grimaces. ‘I’m sorry!’ he says. ‘Will you everforgiveme?’
‘I will if you help me get myletterback.’
‘That’s what I’mherefor!’
‘Good.’
‘Are you all right?’ Seth asks as we start to board the ferry after getting ourtickets.
‘Fine!’Ilie.
‘You look a funny colour.’ He puts a hand onmyarm.
I jump a little at his touch and move my arm away. ‘I’m fine!Totallyfine!’
The drizzle has abated somewhat and so, once we’re on the ferry, we go straight onto the deck. I sit down on one of the red painted benches. Seth stands right at the bow, facing into the wind, like this is the Titanic and he is LeonardoDiCaprio.
As the ferry sets off, it rolls from side to side and I try not to think too much about all of the deep murky water beneath us and all the terrible things that could happen if the ferry crashed, or the captain had a heart attack, or the wind became really strong and flipped us over, or if I got sea sick and just started puking and some of the puke got on people’sshoes.
And then I notice that there’s a little cabin full of life jackets. With wobbly legs, I head over and grab one. I look around. No one else is wearing one. Not even the six-year-old twins taking the ferry with their elderlygrandpa.
I pull it on and tie the straps as tightly as they can go. It’s not comfortable. Plus, the neck bit is really high and makes me look neckless. I look like a berk, I’m sure. But at least I’m asafeberk!
I take my seat again, my fists clenched, willing this journey to hurry up. Seth turns around from where he’s standing. His face lights up as he takes in my life jacket. Then he purses his lips and I get the feeling he is trying very hard not to takethepiss.
I ignore him, and focus on staring at the floor and notpuking.
My phone dings with a text. It’s from Colin! I smile as I open it, trying not think of him being flaccid in my dream, and also trying not to be perturbed by the fact that he said the thing that makes him laugh the most isThe Lad Bible. Out of all the great comedy outthere!
Iam at a beach party.We are drinking punch. None of the girls here are as pretty as you. Orassexy. ;)
Ilaugh.Our text conversations have been pretty staid so far. He must betipsy!
I immediatelytypeback.
Wish I was there!I am on a boat intherain.
Ipauseand consider what I shouldtypenext.
Ithinkyou aresexytoo.
Isend it quickly,before I can change my mind. He said I was sexy. It’s nice to return the compliment. And Ithinkit’s true. I like his sideburns. And texting with him is pleasant. And maybe, if we did start dating, I could wean him offThe Lad Bibleand introduce him to some realcomedy…
Seth comes back to sit beside me. He fiddles with the cuff of his hoodie. ‘Don’t fret, it’s only another twenty minutes until we getthere.’
‘I’m fine, Seth!’ I sayagain.
‘I can hear your dryheaves.’
My cheeks warm. Maaan. I thought I was doing a really good job of keeping them underwraps!
‘Stand up,’ Sethinstructsme.
