Charlie released me as I started to move. ‘Libs, are you all right? Maybe we should get you into the house. You look a bit flushed.’
‘Wow, what an attractive picture that paints,’ I said, standing up, away from what was possibly the main cause of the flushing. ‘I’m fine, Charlie. Really. But I am going to nip into the house and get another drink, if that’s OK?’
‘I can get that for you.’
‘No, it’s all right. Like you said, it’ll give me a chance to cool a little. Maybe I did get a bit hot out here. I shall take your advice.’
‘Want me to come with you?’
Maybe.
‘No, I’m fine. Go on,’ I said, flapping my hands. ‘Do your thing. Schmooze. Mingle. Whatever.’
He shook his head at me and laughed. ‘It’s my parents’ back garden barbecue, not a power networking session.’
‘To-may-to, tomato,’ I said. ‘Now, go! But try and avoid getting caught up in any more conspiracy discussions. There’s no guarantee that your mum will be able to spare her best operative for a second mission today.’
He grinned at me, then gave a little mock salute. ‘Understood.’
‘All righty, then,’ I said. A phrase I had never once employed before. Clearly my chatterbox brain was having a moment. ‘I’m off.’
‘All righty, then,’ Charlie echoed, laughter in his voice.
I began walking away, then turned and stuck my tongue out in a show of maturity. I heard his laughter as I turned back, my eyes focused on where I was going, my mind having trouble focusing at all. I stepped through the patio doors and made my way to the sink. Filling a glass with water, I guzzled it down, trying to cool my body and my thoughts. Away from the heat and the alcohol, my thoughts seemed to fall back into order. I wasn’t entirely sure what had come over me – although two large glasses of wine were a fairly good bet – but, thankfully, the moment seemed to have passed. I was just washing up the glass when Amy peered in.
‘There you are,’ she said, coming up to me. She tilted her head. ‘You all right? You look a bit funny.’
‘There’s a lot of that going around today,’ I mumbled, thinking of how I’d said the same thing to Charlie a short time ago.
‘Huh?’
‘Nothing. I’m fine.’ I beamed. ‘I just got a bit hot and needed a glass of water. Did you come in to get a drink?’
‘No, I came to find you.’
‘You found me!’ I said, smiling as I flung my arms wide. ‘Come on, let’s go back out.’
Amy linked her arm through mine, her deliberate movements confirming that she was several steps ahead of me on the Slowly Getting Mildly Plastered Path.
‘Do you want a quick glass of water before we go back?’ I said, pausing a moment.
‘No, I’m all right,’ Amy said.
‘OK.’
‘Promise. I’m not going to get totally smashed at Marcus’ parents’. That would be a little embarrassing.’
I smiled and squeezed her arm. ‘You seem happy.’
She turned, a fleeting veil of total sobriety enveloping her. ‘I am, Libs. I really am.’
I gave her a hug.
‘Better get you back to Wonder Boy, then.’
She grinned and we stepped back out into the bright summer sunshine.
* * *
