Page 26 of Head Over Skis

I start to zone out when question six rolls around, which is about ranking three countries from highest to lowest based on their banana exports, and I find myself scanning the room. Rory’s leaning against the bar, looking directly at me, and my heartbeat quickens. He doesn’t stop, unfazed by the fact I’ve caught him staring. How long has he been looking over here?

Another question gets called out, but I don’t hear it. I’m distracted, still watching him when his mouth starts to move. I can tell he’s trying to tell me something, but I can’t work out what. I shake my head at him and shrug, so he tips his head towards Meghan. I turn and find her with her head in her hands, eyes screwed shut.

‘Shit, I know this one, but I can’t remember whether it’s the Arctic or Antarctic desert that’s bigger.’

‘I thought the Sahara Desert was the biggest in the world?’ Tilly says, leaving Meghan shaking her head.

‘It’s a common misconception. Deserts don’t have to be hot, but which one is it?’

I look back towards Rory and watch his lips as they sound out one word.

‘It’s Antarctica,’ I whisper to the girls, and Tilly arches a brow.

‘Since when do you know anything about polar deserts, or geography in general, little miss “I thought Dutch people were from Denmark”?’

I kick her under the table for bringing that up whilst Meghan stares at me in horror.

‘I never thought that.’

I definitely did. Meghan’s downturned lips look unconvinced.

‘I have a good feeling, trust me on this one.’

We make it through the rest of the round with the boys only trying to cheat four times by not-so-subtly trying to copy our answers. We swap with them for marking and every correct answer that the announcer reads elicits a whoop from us and a groan from the boys. And then we get to question seven.

‘So, I think a lot of you are going to get this one wrong, because the largest desert in the world is not in fact the Sahara,’ she says, and we can immediately draw a cross against the boys’ answer.

‘It’s actually a polar desert. The correct answer is… the Antarctic desert.’

‘Yes! Go on, Lottie!’ Tilly shouts, tipping her drink towards me to cheers.

I knock my glass against hers before shifting to look over my shoulder at where Rory is still standing. I raise my glass in his direction, and he does a faux bow back at me. I giggle as I take a sip, then quickly turn back towards the table and once again, Adam is glaring at me.

‘You okay there?’ I ask, even though I know by his scowl that the answer is clearly no. He huffs in response and takes an extra-long sip of his beer.

‘I’m fine. Only curious as to why you’re acting like you know that guy over there.’

‘He’s our ski instructor,’ I say back, trying to dispel the tension that’s become palpable between our two tables. The others pretend to focus intently on marking and totalling the answers from round one, but I know they’re all listening in. Ready to step in if needed.

‘Then why did he buy you a drink and has proceeded to stare at you for the last half an hour?’

‘Jeez, cool off, big guy, she told you nothing’s going on,’ Tilly jumps in to back me up and I give her hand a grateful squeeze under the table.

‘Right, okay then,’ he huffs again, downing the rest of his drink before scanning the bar. He pushes off from his stool and now no one’s hiding the fact they’re paying attention to the interaction between us. ‘If Lottie’s being bought drinks by strangers and everyone’s cool with it, then I’m sure no one will mind me going off for a chat as well.’

I watch as he walks away from us towards the bar where a group of girls are standing waiting to be served, and I know what’s going to play out before it happens.

As soon as he reaches them, he leans forward, catching their attention and turning on that infuriating charm of his. Within seconds, he’s got his arm around a tall blonde and he’s leaning in to whisper something in her ear. She laughs, and I want to throw up.

‘Lottie, we can go if you want,’ Meghan says, reaching across the table to touch my arm, but I shake my head, plastering on a smile that couldn’t be more fake.

‘No, it’s fine. I… I’m going to go get some air.’

Tilly opens her mouth to say something, but I’m already moving.

‘I’ll only be a second,’ I say, leaping off my stool and heading towards the front door before anyone can offer to come with me.

Adam’s head whips round to track me, and as I pass him his hand brushes mine like he’s trying to stop me.