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He pulled his hand back like it hadn’t meant anything at all.

‘Why are you acting weird?’ he asked. ‘You’re staring at me.’

Shit. ‘What? No, I’m not,’ I said immediately.

He didn’t look convinced. He started walking again, and I followed, trying to ignore the sudden something pounding in my chest.

‘What’s next?’ I asked quickly.

He jerked his head towards the Ferris wheel. ‘That!’

‘No,’ I said instantly. ‘Absolutely not.’

He was already walking.

‘Jamie.’

‘Two, please,’ he said to the girl at the ticket booth.

‘Jamie, I’m serious – I hate heights.’ I stomped my foot like a child.

He didn’t even look at me. Just reached back, grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. And then I was inside. The door slammed shut.

‘Nope. I hate this already!’ The pod lurched upward. ‘Press stop! I actually hate this—’ But we were moving. Fuck. I squeezed my eyes shut.

‘Tell me you don’t have your eyes shut behind those glasses,’ he said, laughing.

‘Ssshh!’ I murmured. OK, think of something positive, I thought, feeling the wind blow through my hair. Imagine you’re on a beach, Harri.

‘You have them shut!’ He giggled.

‘Leave me alone,’ I said back, thinking of Mum and Dad, and the public statement that would be issued if I died on this fucking deathtrap.

‘Harri, please look,’ Jamie said. ‘It’s class.’

‘Nope.’ I began humming. Distract yourself.

The pod creaked and moved higher.

I gripped the seat. ‘I can feel the air getting thinner,’ I muttered.

Then it jolted. I grabbed his hand instantly.

‘It’s stopped!’ I screamed.

‘It’s fine,’ he said calmly. ‘It’s letting people on and off. Just look. Please. Trust me.’

Slowly, I opened my eyes. The lights stretched out below us. The market glowed. The city sparkled. And the castle sat there, solid and steady in the distance.

‘Wow.’ I gasped. ‘It’s beautiful,’ I admitted, turning to him. I was still gripping his hand. I could feel the heat of his body radiating through my coat.

‘Not as beautiful as—’

‘Don’t,’ I said quickly, heat rushing into my face.

He stopped. But he didn’t move away. And neither did I. That was the problem. His free hand lifted – hesitating – then gently pushed a strand of hair back from my face. My breath caught.

‘Jamie . . .’ I said, softer now.