‘What? Have they finished the tests? Have they found anything?’
Tony hesitated, which wasn’t good.
‘What?’
‘The scan didn’t show a clear break, but there could be bruising or a hairline fracture in the lower arm. We’re just not sure it’s best if he continues with the Tour. It was a heavy crash.’
I’d seen the replay. Tony wasn’t wrong.
‘I thought something had gone wrong with the two of ya,’ Tony added, his eyes a little wild.
Giving half a nod in a non-answer, I just said, ‘Nothing was ever “right”, but I seem to be here anyway.’
He just studied me in response, for long enough to seed prickles at my hairline. ‘You goin’ in? You might want to prepare yourself.’
‘I’m familiar with the amount of nudity in this sport,’ I responded wryly, but Tony didn’t smile.
‘I meant his face.’
With a gulp and a tense nod, I stepped cautiously inside – stopping short when I caught sight of him sprawled shirtless on the bed. There was an ugly lump slowly turning purple above his left eye, one part dressed with gauze and medical tape. He had cuts and scratches everywhere I looked, which really was everywhere, because my eyes were drawn to all the familiar bits of his body.
‘You summoned me,’ I said.
His face brightened in an instant as he turned to me. I searched his expression for some gentle mocking, finding none, which was disconcerting.
He snagged my T-shirt and tugged until I was closer. ‘My best idea all day.’ There was a lightness in his tone, as though he truly meant what he said. Maybe we weren’t in Banterville after all.
‘What’s up with you?’
He looked away with a self-deprecating chuckle. ‘A few things became clear when I was flat on my back on the mountain today,’ he explained, his voice gravelly. ‘We’ve known each other a long time, haven’t we?’
‘We have.’ I wasn’t sure what else to say in reply. ‘A lot of years of pranks.’
I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen that smile before. It was playful, yes, but also… vulnerable? ‘Did you hate it? Hate me?’
That he seemed to expect an answer put me off balance. ‘I never hated you. Some of your pranks went too far.’
‘Fair,’ he said, crossing his arms.
‘Some of them were funny,’ I admitted without really meaning to. ‘At least they are with hindsight. Why? Are you giving it all up?’
‘I thought about it.’ Peering at me, a smile grew on his face. ‘But the truth is, I like pranking you.’
Heat rose to my cheeks.
‘And I think maybe if you trust me, you’ll like me pranking you too.’
‘Trust is a big word,’ I blurted out, my lungs suddenly tight. It was just as big as the word that seemed to be growing roots in my feelings about him – maybe even bigger.
‘I know,’ he said softly. ‘It’s just that I don’t want to prank anyonebutyou, Kubicka.’
I couldn’t say anything in reply, my thoughts swimming, too much hope and confusion and dismay.
‘I’m just giving you fair warning,’ he said, peering at me with half a smile that suggested he had some idea of the stricken feelings creating a cocktail in my chest.
‘Avoid the cornflakes tomorrow. I remember,’ I squeaked, trying to find even ground between us.
‘And don’t forget to check your socks,’ he added in a whisper.
