Page 36 of Brighter Together

By the time Tommy pulls into the pub car park, I have changed my mind about coming approximately twelve times.

Not because I don’t want to be here. But I’m invading Tommy’s life. I am suddenly part of his life outside Greenview Manor.

And that’s very much a problem.

The entire drive over, I’ve been far too aware of him beside me. Of his hands on the steering wheel. Of the way his shirt stretches across his shoulders when he changes gear.

And of Charlotte’s voice in my head.

What if he’s keeping you at a distance?

I really need her to stop living in there.

Tommy turns off the engine.

“You all right?”

“Of course,” I say quickly.

He glances across at me.

“You’ve been quiet.”

“I’m preparing myself.”

“For what?”

“Meeting the rest of your friends.”

His mouth curves.

“They’re mostly harmless.”

“Mostly?”

“You’ve met Christina.”

I laugh.

He smiles properly.

Not the tiny reluctant one I occasionally manage to drag out of him at work.

This one reaches his eyes, and it makes him look ten years younger and a lot cheekier than I’m used to.

A wall of noise greets us when we step through the small wooden door. The pub is already busy, full of Friday-night banter, clinking glasses and the smell of chips and beer. A fire burns in the grate at the far end, and every table seems to be occupied.

I spot Christina almost immediately.

She waves at us from a large table near the back.

“Ella!”

Christina slides along the bench to make space for me, but Tommy pulls out one of the empty chairs instead, waiting until I sit before taking the seat beside mine.

“That works, I guess,” Christina says with a smug smile.

Charlotte reaches for the bottle of Prosecco in the middle of the table.