Page 112 of The Summer That Changed Us

Katie’s heart skipped a beat; he was so close she could smell his delicious aftershave. This man – if he only knew what he was doing to her insides. She had a sudden urge to grab him by the lapels of his jacket and press her lips to his.

Her mouth had gone dry. ‘So, if you can’t tell me I’m a winner, what can you tell me?’

His eyes met hers.

‘I can tell you that I … I … ’ His voice trailed away, and she watched as several emotions flittered across his face. ‘That I’m glad Amber needed a bra. Oh shit. Forget I said that.’ He grinned sheepishly. ‘But you know what I mean.’

‘I do,’ she giggled. ‘And I’m glad, too.’

Behind them, feet clattered up wooden steps and onto the dias.

‘I’d better get back to my seat,’ he said, straightening up. ‘Somehow I’ve been roped into live tweeting the awards as they’re presented. Although everyone on my table is tweeting too, so I don’t know why I’m bothering.’

‘And I’d better start practising my runner-up face.’

‘You’re my winner.’ He brushed his fingers against her skin, making her shiver. ‘Can we talk later?’

‘Of course,’ she said huskily.

When he was gone, she let out a shaky breath. He could have asked her anything and she’d have agreed. Can we run into the sea with our clothes on later? Why not! Can I kiss you under the stars later? You bet. Can I run my fingers down your naked spine later? Yes please … She gave herself a shake, feeling ridiculous and slightly hot.

Barney’s boss, Paul Sullivan, the managing director of the newspaper, began his speech, thanking everyone for their part in the evening’s organisation and congratulating all the businesses for making the shortlist. Everyone applauded. Barney, she noticed, had taken a couple of photos and was tapping away at his phone screen.

Amber sneaked closer to Katie and whispered, ‘I hope you win.’

‘Thanks, BamBam.’ She clapped a hand to her mouth, realising what she’d said. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to use your nickname, it just came out.’

‘It’s OK. It feels nice. Like, someone cares.’

Katie’s eyes pricked with tears. She nudged Amber playfully. ‘Course I care, you’re my favourite ever teenager.’

‘And now we come to our first award of the night: the award for Best Community Project … ’

‘Yours is the final award,’ Grace hissed, consulting the order of events. ‘Then we get a disco. Good luck, love.’

Nula held up her crossed fingers and Robyn blew her a kiss from across the table.

‘Thanks, everyone.’ Her heart was thundering so loud she was scared she might not even hear who the winner was in her category. Her tongue was sticking to the roof of her mouth, so she drank half a glass of water. Oh no, now she needed a wee. Panic began to rise inside her, but it was too late …

‘Next up is our award for the Best Independent Retailer of the North East,’ Paul began. ‘We are extremely lucky in this part of the country that we have so many wonderful retail businesses. The shortlist for this category is crammed with talent and is one of the most hotly contested. From flowers to food, shoes to stationery, women’s wear to wine, we are spoiled for choice. And the winner is … ’

The room began to spin, noise roared around her, applause and music, faces smiling. At her table everyone was on their feet, bouncing around, hugging each other, shouting words of congratulations.

‘Katie!’ Amber’s face loomed in front of. ‘Get up! You’ve won!’

Her words broke the spell and suddenly Katie was back in the moment. She grabbed Amber and kissed her and then hugged Nula and Robyn and Grace before leaping up onto the dias and accepting her award.

She was ushered to the podium where she stood at the microphone, shaking so much that the skirt of her dress rippled under the light.

From up here it was difficult to make out faces, but Barney stood up briefly to take her picture and their eyes met. He gave her such a lovely smile that it was all the encouragement she needed to begin the short speech she’d prepared.

‘I’m so breathless with excitement I can hardly speak!’ she laughed and the whole room laughed with her. After pulling herself together, she took a deep breath and launched into the speech which she’d spent most of this afternoon practising in the changing-room mirror.

‘I want to start by thanking our wonderful customers at Auntie Small’s who’ve voted for us. It means so much to us, not just to have won this award, but to serve you and welcome you into our little shop in Merle Bay every day. Thank you to my fabulous friends, especially Grace and Robyn, without whom I might not have been brave enough to come here tonight, or wear this dress for that matter.’

‘Bravo!’ shouted someone from the back of the room.

The audience erupted into laughter again and Katie felt her spirits soar. Far from being scared, now she was up here she felt on top of the world.