‘Oh, someone will have had their phone out,’ Ashleigh says. ‘Someone always bloody does. You can’t take a wee these days without somebody filming it. Speaking of which, do excuse me.’
She darts off to find the bathroom, leaving Ed and me alone.
‘Did all that actually happen?’ I ask, almost fixed to the spot.
He smiles. ‘I know. I am wondering whether someone’s spiked the drinks and I’m just hallucinating.’
‘She’s tiny in real life, isn’t she?’
Ed nods. ‘I have year nines taller than her.’
‘You were really great,’ I tell him. ‘It’s been so long since I’ve heard you play that song.’
‘Kate, do you think—’
‘HOLY SHIT, THAT WAS DEADLY!’ Graham thunders over to congratulate Ed, with Lauren following quickly behind. ‘I’ve never heard you play like that, fella; I’ve only heard you tinkling the ol’ school ivories.’
I watch Ed rub the back of his neck while he tries to absorb the compliment. ‘Yeah, it was fun!’
‘Well, this kicks the arse out of clubbing any day,’ Lauren adds. ‘Have you seen the master bedroom, it’s huge?’
‘I haven’t, no,’ I reply. ‘But more importantly, does Tara knowyou’veseen the master bedroom?’
She grins. ‘I mean does anyone reallyknowanything, it’s—?’
‘Do you mind if I steal Kate for a moment?’ Ed interrupts, while I laugh at Lauren.
‘Course you can, Eddie,’ Lauren replies on my behalf. ‘I’m going to get Grizzly Adams here a drink.’
‘Somewhere a bit quieter maybe?’ Graham suggests, as I watch him follow Lauren like a lost puppy. Did she just pinch his arse? God, I feel like I’ve been transported to an alternate universe.
We exit the living room and find a small cinema room off the hall. This house just gets better and better. I close the door behind me.
‘Did you just see L and—’
‘I know– nothing makes sense anymore. Look, I thought we should talk. I haven’t handled everything as well as I could have and. . . well, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put you on the spot back there, with Graham.’
‘I don’t even think he’ll remember,’ I reply. ‘Look Ed, this has been hard on both of us.’
‘I’m not sure how we got here,’ he admits. ‘It all seems so stupid now.’
I frown. ‘I know exactly how we got here, and I said I didn’t want this, Ed! You’re the one who wanted to “see who you are without me”. And from tonight, I can see thatwithout me, you’re someone who plays with established musicians at the drop of a hat, when I couldn’t even get you to do karaoke down the pub!’
‘Woah, hang on. You’re the one who started all this, remember? Living a life that you don’t want. How I have no ambition. What, now you’re upset that I’m performing again? I thought that’s what you wanted?’
‘That’s not what I’m saying.’
‘Or are you upset that I did it on my own terms. Without you.’
‘No! It’s. . .’ My voice trails off as I realise that’s exactly what it is. Four days without me and he’s already gone back to what he loves.
I sit down on one of the cinema seats. ‘Did I hold you back?’ I ask him. ‘Clip your wings?’
He sits beside me and sighs. ‘No, Kate, I did that all by myself. I’ve never met anyone so invested. . . so eager for me to live my best life. You just became frustrated that I didn’t have the same determination. Tonight. . . that just happened by chance.’
We sit for a moment, listening to the noise of the party continueoutside the room.
‘I’ve missed you,’ I tell him. ‘Lauren sings Pink Floyd in the shower. You know I hate Pink Floyd.’
