Page 76 of Brighter Together

A few minutes later, Tommy steals it back.

“You’re taking all the strawberries,” he protests.

“They’re the best part.”

“Exactly.” He scoops up cream, meringue and one of the berries I was apparently not entitled to.

Then holds the spoon towards me.

I stare at him.

“Seriously?”

“What?”

“You’re feeding me now?”

“I’m controlling the strawberries.” He winks.

I lean forward and take the mouthful.

His eyes stay on mine as I close my lips around the spoon.

The humour slowly leaves his face.

My pulse picks up and I swallow hard.

Tommy pulls the spoon back.

For a moment, neither of us says anything.

“Would you like anything else?” The waiter appears beside us.

I nearly jump.

Tommy coughs into his fist.

“No. Thank you. And I think we are done with dessert.”

I bite my lip to stop myself laughing, although part of me wants to object to perfectly good dessert being abandoned halfway through.

The waiter clears everything with impressive speed and disappears.

Tommy looks at me, and suddenly I need a little distance because what I really want is a lot less space between us.

The railing runs along the edge of the roof. I walk towards it and look out over Manchester. From up here, the city almost looks peaceful.

Cars move like tiny lights below us.

Buildings glow against the darkness.

For a few minutes, I let myself enjoy it.

Then guilt presses at the edges again.

Tomorrow.

The presentation.