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He snorts. ‘Got everybody out of their seats and having a bit of a laugh. Plus, nobody ever found out Will was sick everywhere, so I’d call it a raging success.’
‘Your dad didn’t even find out?’
‘Ah. Well, yeah.’ But he shrugs again, and takes a breath before smiling. ‘We’ve learned to handle our alcohol better since then at least, so don’t expect any yoga-related shenanigans at the party next week – but youcanlet the others know they’ll see Will there.’
‘I’ll do that. Hey, do you want another drink? We’ve still got a lot of cake to finish up …’
And I’m not ready for this night to end just yet.
Lloyd beams, handing me his empty cup to return to the counter and clear some space. ‘We’ve got time. This place doesn’t close till, like, two. Same again?’
‘Same again.’
We still have cake left when midnight ticks around. I didn’t even realize how late it had gotten, but Lloyd is full of fun stories and light-hearted anecdotes, and every time there’s a lapse in conversation, it remains comfortable and easy until one of us thinks of something else we want to share.
I only notice the time because Lloyd ducks out to go to the loo, and now I’m left alone I check my phone, where I also see some WhatsApp notifications.
At the top of the screen, there’s a message from Mum. I read enough in the preview to know it’s yet another overly-enthusiastic hi/how are you/just checking in, like she hasany rightto ‘check in’ on my life. I delete it before it can spoil my good mood.
I see some messages from Louis and a prickle of panic curls its way up my spine.Shit. Louis. He’s probably already home, wondering where the hellI’ve disappeared off to after saying I’d be vegging out on the sofa all night, and I’ll have to come up with some half-baked lie to cover up the fact I’ve been with Lloyd, because Iknowthere’s no way I’ll be able to make this sound platonic or innocent and like anythingbuta date …
But as I read his messages properly, I find I have nothing to worry about.
Louis
Heyyyyyyy roomie, change of plans – we’re heading out to a club so won’t be home anytime soon. Or at all, tonight?! I am getting some SERIOUS signals, so wish me luck!
23:26
OKAY SO NOT THAT YOU WISHED ME LUCK OR ANYTHING, BUT THE SIGNALS ARE FULL-ON ACTIONS NOW. Don’t wait up lol (and yes, I realize you’re probably already in bed and asleep)
23:49
Since he’ll probably notice the two little blue ticks that I’ve seen his message at some point, I reply with a stringof appropriately excitable, celebratory emojis and telling him I can’t wait to hear all about it tomorrow.
I don’t mention that I’m not in bed, asleep.
Lloyd slips back into his seat, hands braced on the table as he does so, careful not to disturb our shared pot of decaf tea. (I have no idea how he hadanykind of coffee earlier – let alone how other people are still drinking it now, at this time of night.)
I say as much aloud, pointing in particular to a guy a couple of tables over with an espresso.
‘Maybe this is just their first stop of the night,’ he suggests. ‘Setting themselves up to make it through partying till five in the morning.’
I must pull a face because Lloyd raises his eyebrows.
‘Let me guess – the only time you’ve stayed up that late was to pull an all-nighter studying?’
‘You say that like it’s a bad thing.’
‘Not at all.’
‘I probably – I mean, I’msureI have at some point. Sleepovers with friends, or something.’ I pull another face though, knowing it was never actually as late as it felt when we’d stay up late at nine or ten years old. ‘Maybe … maybe when I was a baby?’
When he laughs, I kick him half-heartedly under the table.
‘Alright, Fletcher. When was the last timeyoustayed up all night partying?’
He’s quick to answer – until he’s not, whatever answer he had so ready faltering as soon as he opens his mouth. I watch his eyes drift to the side as he reconsiders. His mouth closes again. When his eyes drag back to mine, he rolls them.
