Page 107 of Escape to the Country

‘So do you think we should start the Bad Dads club?’ she said.

He shook his head. ‘I’m going to break that mould,’ he told her. ‘When I have kids, they’re going to be supported. Loved. Cherished.’

She looked surprised at his words but nodded thoughtfully. ‘You’re right. And my dad’s not going to change me either.’ Then she frowned. ‘Maybe he did for a while. He’s all about the perfect looks, you see.’

He began to understand where the fancy clothes and thick make-up had their beginnings. She took a deep breath. ‘About Glastonbury…’ she began.

He shook his head. ‘It was just one of those things. An accident. But with our lips.’ He grinned at her. ‘Honestly, it’s no big deal. The papers will soon die down about it.’

‘Okay.’

For a moment longer, they stared into each other’s eyes. She was so close that he could feel her breath on his neck.

Then she nodded, before leaping off the rock to go and see Dylan.

He wondered to himself whether she believed him. And why on earth he had lied to her when all he wanted to do was kiss her over and over again?