‘And you refused to leave until they’d searched lost property. There you were, pigtails swinging and arms crossed. Poor security man didn’t know what had hit him.’
‘I was right though.’ I grin.
‘You were.’
‘She was so happy when I came back… Didn’t even get bollocked for lying.’ I can remember the relief on her face, the way she’d held me tightly and planted firm kisses all over my cheeks.
‘Speak for yourself! I was grounded for two weeks.’
‘Were you?’ I turn to him, frowning. ‘I don’t remember that.’
He shrugs, eyes on the screen asThe A-Teamfinishes and the adverts roll.
‘It wasn’t so bad. And it was a win… all things considered.’ He looks over at me, his eyes scanning my face, and I wonder if he’s thinking about the day before I’d dragged him to the bus depot. The day when I cried telling him Dad was really angry at Mum.
I sigh, resting my head on his shoulder. ‘You’ve always put up with my shit, haven’t you? Even when—’ I gesture to the laptop ‘—I feel like I’m losing my mind chasing a ghost.’
We’re still for a moment. He takes a long, slow intake of breath, like he’s preparing to say something I’m not ready for. Something shifts, and the air feels like it’s contracting around us. I’m acutely aware of the warmth of his shoulder, the steady beat of his pulse, the way he smells.
I lean forwards, reaching for the controller and shifting my body away from him.
‘Your turn. Tell me about Heather.’ I fold my legs. He takes a breath and nods slowly. ‘From the beginning right up to the moment you told Georgia,’ I add. ‘Donotskip anything.’
He lets out a long breath. ‘She got in touch last year. An email, of all things. She’s moved back here temporarily, got a placement as a manager at a call centre.’
I snort. ‘That does not sound like the most popular girl at school.’
‘Like I said. She’s changed.’
‘Wait, temporarily?’
‘For now. She’s still got her own place in Scotland. She’s renting it out.’
‘Does she still look like she’s one step away from a hair flick?’ He gives me a warning glance. ‘Sorry. Continue.’
‘We met for coffee. She was nervous, hands shaking… very… I don’t know. Contrite?’
‘Good.’ I take another sip of water.
‘Are you going to let me tell this or not?’
‘Yes. But don’t expect me to forgive her and welcome her with open arms.’
‘I don’t.’ He drags his hand through his hair. ‘She didn’t try to make excuses. She just kind of owned it. The whole thing. How what she did was?—’
‘Destructive. Heartless? Fucking cowardly?’
‘Yes.’ He meets my eyes. Unflinching. ‘She knows all of that.’
‘Good.’
‘I told her I wouldn’t let her see or speak to Georgia unless she was certain. In it for the long haul. We started meeting for coffee once a week. I’d answer her questions, show her photos… then twice a week. You get the picture.’
‘And it was purely about her seeing Georgia?’
He stills. ‘Mostly… but I don’t know. Lately it’s felt like there might be something there.’
I take another sip, but the water feels lodged in my throat.
