‘They also have a new lavender one,’ Becky informed her, now totally invested. ‘It’s really sooth—’
‘Stand down Becky,’ Erin laughed. ‘We know you’re partial to a freshly changed bed – we all are, but rules are rules.’
‘Oh, fuck’s sake,’ Beth mumbled. ‘Fine. I hope you all get bedbugs.’
‘I think we need to have a house meeting about this,’ Alex decided, rather forcefully. ‘Beth, if you’d like to wait upstairs, we’ll call you down when we’ve made the decision.’
They watched Beth close the living room door and heard her trundle upstairs. The subsequent door slam let them know she was in her room.
‘So, we’ll just let her sit for a bit?’ Tara asked, hanging her legs back over the side of the couch.
‘Yep,’ Erin replied, ‘It’ll make it look like we’re actually giving it some thought.’
‘Did Paul say what time he wants us to scarper on Tuesday? I have those student vouchers for Pizza Hut, remember.’
‘Can’t believe he’s asking her to marry him,’ Becky said in her best ‘I’m trying very hard to keep my voice down’ voice. ‘She’s totally going to cry.’
Erin laughed. ‘I thinkyou’regoing to cry.’
‘I so am. Think she’ll say yes?’
‘Absolutely,’ Tara insisted. ‘As ridiculous as I find the whole concept, those two are going to be married forever.’
Everyone nodded in agreement.
‘Ready?’ Alex asked, getting up to open the living room door. They all tried to look as innocent as possible.
‘BETH! One night! Only because it’s your birthday.’
There was a muffled scream of delight from behind the door.
