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‘I am not.’
‘I see you looking at the Maryland Cookies like they’re some lesser form of snack.’
I laugh but in the back of my mind wonder about how he knew all the other stuff, how he’s quietly been keeping tabs. I think I quite like that he’s been listening when I’ve been prattling away in our underground office.
‘What’s the time, by the way?’ I say, looking around for a clock.
‘Seven. I wasn’t sure what you wanted to do. Go homebefore work? You’re welcome to have a shower here,’ he says, gesturing towards a towel folded on his dresser. I pout to see how, while I was passed out and drooling on to his sheets, he was thinking about what I might need in such detail. There’s something gentlemanly about it all which catches me by surprise.
‘I might rush home. You guys live near Chiswick, yes?’ I ask, slightly embarrassed to not even know what London borough I may be in.
He nods. ‘And you live in Shepherd’s Bush.’
‘I do. I may be a bit late, in that case,’ I tell him.
‘I won’t snitch.’ And we both sit there, smiling at each other. This is a little bizarre but I’m grateful that he’s not made it awkward, that he’s allowing me to sit in his bed and drink tea and chat. There’s a sudden knock on the door and I turn to see Frank standing there.
‘You’re alive then?’ he says, his eyes scanning what I assume to be the halo of frizz on the top of my head.
‘I am.’
‘Jasper might be dead,’ he says unfazed.
‘Where is he?’
‘He fell asleep on the living room floor. He’s in star shape, face down like he’s fallen out of a plane. I’ve given him a kick. Ben is going to throw some water over him.’
I look over at Leo, happy he didn’t do the same to me. I got tea and a folded towel.
‘Leo filled me in on what happened last night, by the way. Thank you…’
‘Did he tell you everything?’ he replies, his eyes shooting straight to Leo who shakes his head. I look at each of them trying to work out what’s happening.
‘Please, boys, don’t scare me.’ I trust both of them implicitly but there’s something that makes me think I haven’t heard thewhole story. Frank looks at a loss for words. ‘Did I do something very embarrassing?’ I try and run through what may have happened in my head. They saw boob, didn’t they? That’s the sort of thing that has to go to HR.
‘You farted quite loudly as we were carrying you…’ Leo says, plainly.
Frank looks into space to have heard those words said out loud but then doubles up, cackling. I feel a deep blush to my cheeks, sinking through my spine. I did what now? ‘Yes, it was very loud. It set off a car alarm in the street, dogs started howling.’
‘You’re joking,’ I say, mortified.
‘I am.’ He shifts Leo a look but then turns to me, trying to change the subject.
‘You better get up. You need to go home and change. We have no clothes for you here, I’m afraid.’
‘It would have been weird if you did, Frank.’
‘This is true.’
I pull back the duvet and Frank jumps a little. I am not sure what he was expecting, but I am clothed. As I stand up, I stumble slightly – blame a rush of blood to the head or last night’s alcohol – and Leo lurches forward to catch me, an arm going to mine. ‘Hold up there, Maggie. You alright?’
I look him in the eye, gripping on to his arm as he smiles. It’s warm, reassuring but familiar. I can’t quite put my finger on it. Frank looks on, grinning. ‘Maybe get me some more caffeine?’ I ask.
‘Will do, boss,’ he replies. ‘Anything else?’
‘What did you do with my bra?’ I say, crossing my arms across my chest, conscious that I am possibly flashing a hint of nipple under the fabric of my dress.
‘Frank…chuck it over, it’s on the hooks behind the door.’ Frank looks at both of us. I’m not sure he’s handled many bras before so he uses his forefinger and thumb to pick it up by the straps and throws it over, the way someone might throw a snake they’ve found in the wild. The throw is so weak it falls short and lands on Leo’s head, the cups sitting perfectly over his ears. He looks like a World War Two pilot. I release my hands to cover my mouth. At least it’s one of my good bras. It almost suits him.
