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‘Only I didn’t get into a single fight at school,’ Adam corrects him. ‘That was more your thing.’

‘Okay, this is getting weird,’ I point out. ‘Look, I’m going to go stay at my parents’ house tonight, I think, give you guys some space.’

‘Don’t go,’ they both say at the same time.

Si turns to Adam and gives him a filthy look.

‘Yeah, no, honestly, it’s fine.’ I turn to Adam. ‘I hope it feels better soon, and thanks again.’

I notice Si stiffen up.

The best thing I can do is leave them to talk – I feel like I’m watching my parents right now, and I could do that at home while someone cooks for me, so…

Time to call another taxi. There goes the rest of my babysitting money.

33

After successfully creeping into my parents’ house, and then waking up before them this morning, I was able to get in and out without either of them seeing me, to the point where I think I could probably live there undetected.

First I went for a walk, to think about things, to try to clear my head. It didn’t work. Now I’m sitting with a pumpkin spice latte, on a bench on the beach, looking out at the horizon and contemplating the life choices that have landed me here. I don’t feel like I’m getting anywhere. If I’m doing anything I’m just sitting raising a drink to my failures. At least it’s delicious. I just need something, like a sign, or…

I feel my phone ringing in my pocket. It’s Adam.

‘Wow, I wasn’t expecting you to be awake,’ he teases.

‘Well, I didn’t get much sleep last night,’ I point out. ‘What about you?’

‘No, I didn’t sleep too well.’

It was late by the time we got to bed – but I couldn’t turn my brain off for hours.

‘Does your face hurt much?’ I ask.

‘Only when I move or breathe or just generally exist,’ he jokes, ‘but I have a meeting at the office later this afternoon, so I’ve got to soldier on – and hopefully convince them that my face will look normal again before the Bonfire Night Festival.’

‘I could come over, if you like?’ I suggest. ‘I could cover you in make-up.’

‘Well, I don’t fancy the second part,’ he admits with a laugh. ‘But I’d really like the first part. Si is at work today, so it will be just us. We could talk. Want to come over now?’

‘I’ll be right there,’ I reply.

He seems keen to chat, although he didn’t really say about what, just that he would be waiting for me, and that Si would be working in the office today, so that’s a relief. I don’t want anything to be awkward.

I arrive at the house and it’s quiet. I was expecting to find Adam sitting in the kitchen but, nope.

As I head upstairs I notice something. The soft hum of water running.

The bathroom door is wide open, and now I’m closer I can tell it’s the shower. My heartbeat quickens. Is Adam still in there? Did he leave the door open on purpose? He did make that joke yesterday, about us showering together again…

I hover outside the door. What if this is exactly what he wants? For me to join him?

But then, doubt creeps in, as it always does. What if I’m totally misreading this? My mind races with a million thoughts. Should I call out that I’m here? Should I just wait downstairs? But before I can make a decision, I hear a voice behind me.

‘Lia? What are you doing?’

I jump, spinning around to find Si standing there, a towel wrapped around his waist. I can barely think straight.

‘Oh my God, Si,’ I blurt out, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. ‘I didn’t… I mean, I thought Adam… I was just… I’m supposed to be meeting Adam.’