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“Are you sure I’m not putting you out?” said Nina, not wanting to outstay her welcome.

Cam shook his head, gathering the plates. “You’re due to come back tomorrow anyway, so there’s no point going across town for the night.”

“Yay,” said Ash, clapping her hands. She stood and left the terrace.

Nina started helping Cam clear the table.

“I can do this,” he said. “You go relax.”

She shook her head. “You cooked, so I’m going to tidy.”

He smiled. “You’re a guest. I can’t have you doing chores.”

Nina took her pile of plates into the kitchen. “Tough, because I’m doing it.”

He followed her with the empty wine bottle and glasses. “Then I’m helping.”

They got to work loading the dishwasher and cleaning the kitchen surfaces and it was done quickly.

Ash came back into the kitchen. “Everything’s ready. I got us some cosy blankets and stuff.”

“Do you guys want a drink?” Cam asked.

“I don’t suppose you’ve got any tea?” Nina said.

Cam’s eyes widened. “That’s a good shout. I’ll join you in a cup.”

Ash stuck her tongue out. “Bleurgh. You Brits and your hot tea. It tastes like warm dishwater.”

Nina laughed.

Cameron got out some mugs and teabags. He gestured toward the living room. “Go through and I’ll bring the tea.”

Nina accompanied Ash to the movie room. The lights were low, and Ash had placed a coffee table in front of the sofa with a big bucket of popcorn in the middle. There was a large blanket on the couch.

Ash took the farthest seat at the end of the sofa and snuggled under the blanket. She patted the middle seat next to her and Nina took it. She got under the soft throw. It was so cosy that she might not last through the film without falling asleep.

“Gimme your phone,” said Ash.

Nina frowned. “Why?”

“I need to set up your Twitter,” said Ash.

Nina shrugged and handed it over.

Ash fiddled about, asking the occasional question like, “What do you want for your handle?” She handed it back. “I pulled a selfie out of your photos for your profile pic, but you can change it if you want.”

Nina studied it. “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Nina checked out the app, getting to know the feed. She typed in Isla Starr and took a quick glance at Isla’s profile, but then Cameron came into the room, so she put the phone away and took her tea from him. “Thank you.”

“No worries,” he said, and made to sit across the room.

“Babe,” said Ash, “don’t sit over there. You have to get under the blankie for movie night.”

He looked at Nina. “Is that okay?”