James shrugs. “I don’t.”
I frown at his face, expecting him to expand on the why part of his statement, but he says no more, striding ahead, leading us towards the trees. And by luck, he seems to be better at picking out a decent path, taking extra consideration to avoid muddy, swampy patches.
We’re both puffing when we reach the top of the incline where the tall trees have once been planted in a circled-out plot of land. It’s too perfect to be naturally formed. We venture in, James using his hands to separate spider webs draped between the trunks. I shudder as we take a seat on the twiggy ground, looking out across the valley we’ve just covered. The clouds are thick across the sky still, bundled together like big damp pillows leaking down on us.
The rain has dried up and left behind the sea mist. It’s inescapable, even sheltered below the thick branches of leaves above us. It’s sort of like sitting in one of those steam rooms at a spa. Except it’s cold. And there are no fluffy slippers and dressing gowns patiently waiting for us to grab on the way out.
James sighs audibly, shaking out his wet hair like a damp dog. Drops of water splash on my face. I growl at him, shoving his shoulder.
“Let’s check these bags out then, shall we?” he suggests, ignoring me. “He better have packed spare phones or something in here.”
There’s noticeably more contained in his bag than mine, which is baggy at the top, whilst his is packed full. We unzip them, quietly taking out a few items. James has a small tent in his that pretty much pops out fully made, with a bag of pegs and folded poles. I fiddle around in my bag too. I find some walking trainers (thank you, Michael), a pair of hiking trousers, spare vests, knickers (which I discreetly hide from James’ view and pray sweetly that this was in fact packed by Michael’s secretary, Millie) and a thermal jumper. I suspect Millie guessed I’m a size twelve pants, size ten top, because we’re similar sizes.
“It’s sort of annoying me that he put so much thought into this,” James says.
“Why?”
“Because it means he was planning it for a while. And I don’t think he was alone. At least he’s packed toothbrushes and toothpaste,” he adds. “And empty bottles.”
“I guess we fill them with natural water.”
“As opposed to fake water?” he asks, raising his eyebrows.
“You know what I mean.”
It surprises me when he actually laughs. I smile too. “You’ve been looking like the Joker for the last hour by the way. It’s been entertaining to watch your face melt.” And there it goes.
My smile snaps into a glare. “Nice hair, Gloatman. Did you drag it backwards through the half-submerged hedgerows back there?”
Now his smile fades too. “Great, no hair gel.”
Thankfully, it’s my turn to laugh. “Have you found any snacks yet?”
James fiddles around some more. He discovers a pack of baby wipes and some deodorant in his bag. In mine I find a can of dry shampoo, but unfortunately Millie or Michael neglected to pack a hairbrush.
I’ve been so busy dealing with the shenanigans of the day I’ve totally neglected to acknowledge my rumbling stomach and now it won’t go unheard. James gives me a startled look when it grumbles again. “Was that your stomach or thunder?”
“Stomach. Keep looking for snacks… I’m terrified of considering the alternative.”
“You mean hunting?”
“Not hunting. Nope. Won’t do it. I’m more of a gatherer than a hunter.”
James blows out a breath. “Of course, you are. Here,” he says, passing me a protein bar. “They’re in the bottom compartment. Do you have one?”
I lift my bag, unzipping it from the side, and as I do, six boxes of tampons fall onto my lap. “What the hell?”
“Jeez, how many boxes do you need?”
“I didn’t pack this, James,” I say. And for goodness’ sake. Why am I blushing? I’m a thirty-year-old woman and here I am blushing over a man seeing my tampons. They’re not evenmytampons! “I don’t even need these right now.”
“And even if you did,” he says, “one-hundred and eighty of them for a few nights away is a bit extreme.”
“How do you know that? Do you secretly have a girlfriend you hide from the office?”
James shakes his head, unwrapping and biting into his protein bar. He chews on it whilst saying, “Sisters, three of them.”
“You have three sisters? How did I not know that?”
