‘How about we just do it normally?’ she suggested. ‘You know, facing each other?’
He agreed, apologised profusely and six minutes later they were done.
‘That was amazing,’ he declared. ‘I mean, I knew it would be, but woo-hoo!’
Oh God, I’m his first, Alex thought. In fairness he was only her third, but still, she was well past the woo-hooing stage.
‘Was it alright for you?’ he asked. ‘Was I—’
‘Perfect!’ she replied quickly. ‘Couldn’t be happier. If I didn’t have an early exam, I’d be climbing back on.’
She leapt from his bed and gathered her clothes.
‘I can drive you home,’ he insisted, pulling on his boxers. ‘Kev has a car. KEV, CAN I BORROW THE CAR?’
‘Aye,’ a voice through the wall replied. ‘It’ll need some petrol though.’ Oh dear God, Kev must have heard everything.
‘Honestly, it’s fine, I can—’
‘I think I love you.’
Aware that Aaron was behind her again, she spun around quickly. One surprise mounting was enough for the evening.
‘Oh no,’ she said, smiling. ‘You don’t.’
‘But I do. Come here.’
Three seconds into the world’s most awkward hug, Aaron stepped forward and Alex felt a searing pain shoot through her foot.
‘My toes!’ she yelped as Aaron removed his nineteen-stone body weight off them. ‘I think you’ve broken my toes!’
Alex pulled herself back to the present, on the patio, where Aiden was laughing just as hard as everyone else. Christine – still nothing. The woman was clearly dead inside.
‘In two places,’ Alex continued. ‘My middle toe is now forever wonky. Horrible experience altogether but thanks for bringing it up, everyone! I mean it’s not like anyone else has any embarrassing stories from university, and definitely not any involving chewing gum…’
It was Alex’s turn to laugh with the group as Tara let out a little shriek.
‘I had forgotten about that!’ she exclaimed. ‘Bloody Keith! Oh, the horror. I mean, who the hell goes down south on their unshaven girlfriend with chewing gum in their mouth?’
