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Chapter 23

Alyssa woke up feeling snuggly and heaven-like, with something breathy and warm against her, and the promise of sunlight dancing across her closed eyelids. The usual feeling of first-light emptiness seemed to have disappeared somewhere, and …

Oh God. Her memory caught up with her and she flinched, remembering she was in a tent, sharing a sleeping bag for one – with Devan. What had felt necessary and strangely instinctive under the cloak of darkness suddenly seemed glaringly awkward.

She wriggled her way free from him, trying to ignore his gentle whimpers of protestation. He was still asleep, otherwise he’d surely be equally mortified. He’d said some odd things as he’d been drifting into slumber the night before, his thoughts doubtlessly jumbled. Something about never having dropped his torch for her. She’d do him a favour and not mention it. He might already have been dreaming, and she, as much as anyone, knew dreams could be unruly. If nothing else, it would be easier on her own confused feelings if they drew a line under last night. It had simply been about survival. Hadn’t it?

And anyway, admitting a tiny part of her heart might be warming to him would be like conceding that a love app and its crazy tasks were having an effect on her. Which couldn’t be the case.

Alyssa grabbed a coat and unzipped the tent as quietly as she could, climbing out onto the bejewelled morning grass. There was sunshine again. Was it bizarre that all of their love tasks had been unseasonably sunny? But the incumbent weather conditions couldn’t possibly revolve around her, Devan and a stupid phone app.

Her hand reached instinctively to her coat pocket. She would usually start her day scrolling through social media, seeing what was ‘happening in the world’, chatting to relative strangers and checking how many people had liked her posts. Somehow, she didn’t feel the pull of it today – not that there was any reception here, anyway. For once, she was almost looking forward to real-life things, like finding coffee and cake. And maybe she was curious to talk to Devan a bit more, seeing as they were on a temporary truce – at least until Teijo arrived later on. She found herself wondering what else he might share about his life since she’d last known him. But she knew parts of it might hurt, like the stuff about Sylvie.

Alyssa sat on a rock and listened to the birdsong as she pondered her old best friend. She still missed Sylvie, as much as she didn’t want to – and being back in Hartglove made her think of her more. They’d grown up together, shared so many memories there, made so many plans together. Their roots were still entwined, even if many of their branches had snapped off or grown apart. If this tricky camping task had taught her anything it was to embrace the journey, and that it wasn’t always bad to talk. Should she seek Sylvie out? Because, really, Alyssa’s loneliness had begun when she’d left Hartglove – so perhaps hitting the rewind button might help her to untangle her knot of feelings. Or she could keep her head down, hope not to bump into her former friend, avoid the pain and upset that conversation would stir up and get out of town as soon as these tasks were over.

Weigh up the pros and cons and then follow your gut. That’s what she would tell one of her coaching clients.

Devan stuck his head out of the tent, pulling her out of her thoughts. ‘Did someone say cake?’

Talking of following your gut. She smiled to herself.

His hair was all over the place and his face had sleeping-bag creases and the imprint of what looked like a coat button on one side.

If Alyssa’s heart was open, she might have thought that was cute.

‘No.’ She laughed.

She hadn’t mentioned cake, but she’d thought about it. And if he could hear what else had been going on in her mind recently, she might be in trouble.

They eventually found the coffee hut that Devan had remembered, even though it had taken the best part of an hour and a lot of getting lost. But as they stepped into the small, warm wooden construction, which smelt gloriously of rich coffee beans and baking, Alyssa knew it had been worth the trek.

‘Mmm,’ she said, inhaling the air. ‘If cake for breakfast is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.’

It wasn’t long before the dark-haired café owner, Meena, was bustling over in her peacock-patterned apron, holding a tray with two artfully topped lattes and the most gloriously fruit-laden flapjacks Alyssa had ever seen.

‘Delicious treats for you and your … girlfriend?’ Meena asked Devan, before beaming at Alyssa.

‘No, we’re not …’ Devan started.

‘We’re just …’ Alyssa flapped her hands between them, like her frantic movements would explain everything.

‘She’s my BUM.’

Meena’s big brown eyes widened.

Devan didn’t usually get so flustered. Perhaps he needed coffee.

Alyssa tried to stifle her laugh. ‘We’re just friends,’ she explained quickly. ‘And thank you. This looks delicious.’

‘You’re welcome. Enjoy your alone time while it lasts,’ said Meena, waving a hand around the empty café. ‘Whatever it is you’re up to.’

Then she winked and left them to it.

Meena had made heart patterns with the milk froth on the tops of their coffees. Alyssa blew on hers, watching it wobble.

‘So we’re friends now?’ Devan asked her, once Alyssa had won the fight over the slightly larger piece of flapjack.

Alyssa shrugged. ‘It was just easier than explaining the stupid BUM thing. Did you make up that acronym?’