‘Hello! Still here!’ I piped up. ‘And yes, I do drink alcohol. I’m just a bit rubbish at it.’
‘Why didn’t you say?’
‘Because I didn’t realise the punch was 98 per cent proof before I tried it! Although now I’ll know to avoid anything you tell me is legendary.’
‘Well, I wouldn’t go that far,’ Alex said.
I looked up and his eyes were twinkling with mischief. I rolled my own at him, but I couldn’t help a hint of a smile breaking through.
‘Dad’s starting to serve the food,’ Charlie said, breaking the moment.
‘Oh, great. Some food would be perfect,’ I said, turning to him. I stopped as I caught sight of the expression on his face. He met my eyes, smiled and it had gone.
‘Come on. Let’s get some food inside you. And, as for you,’ he said, turning to Alex, ‘you’re a bad influence. She was fine before you got here. Honestly, upstanding member of the community, my arse. Get out there, troublemaker,’ he said, rolling his eyes at his mate. Alex laughed, and made to step past us.
‘You all right?’ he asked, stopping briefly and touching my arm.
‘Oh, God, yes! I’m fine. Please stop making a fuss, both of you. I already feel enough of an idiot. Now go! Get food!’
‘No need to ask me twice.’ He gave a quick squeeze on my arm and stepped back out into the sun.
Charlie stood aside so that I could go next.
I made a move to do so, then stopped, that odd, fleeting expression I’d seen on his face replaying in my mind. ‘Charlie, is everything OK?’
He frowned. ‘What do you mean?’
‘A few minutes ago, I just… you looked…’ I wasn’t quite sure how to explain it. Charlie tilted his head, waiting for me to go on. Seeing that I was faltering, he stepped in.
‘Everything’s fine, Libby. I was just concerned about you for a minute.’
‘Because you thought Alex was trying to get me drunk?’
‘No, of course not. He wouldn’t do that. Despite what I said just now, he really is a good bloke. I’d trust him with my life.’ He paused. ‘With… most things, really.’ His vivid blue eyes met mine, complete honesty laid before me.
‘I was just worried that you were thinking… something.’
His lips quirked. ‘Nope. Not a thing.’
‘Right. That’s OK, then,’ I said, still feeling a little unconvinced, but of what, exactly, I couldn’t put my finger on.
‘Good.’ He looked at me. ‘Are you ready to get some food now?’
‘Yes! Most definitely.’ That was pretty much the only thing I was sure about right now.
17
I’d found a spot near the end of the garden and was peacefully watching the sun set over the Downs. Marcus and Amy had been getting cosy and I was beginning to feel more and more like a gooseberry, until I’d finally made an excuse and left them to it. I’m not entirely sure they’d noticed I was gone, which was fine with me. I was so pleased to see Amy this happy. Marcus was obviously smitten and clearly good for her.
‘Hello again,’ a deep voice said quietly.
I looked to my side to find Alex standing there, the setting sun casting a warm glow on his tanned skin.
‘Hello.’ I smiled, before turning back to the view. ‘It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?’
‘It certainly is.’
I glanced over to smile at his agreement only to find he was looking directly at me, and not the view.
