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If Holly didn’t reply, she’d leave at nine. Half an hour was long enough. After all, Holly had set the time.
She leaned back, hands in pockets, and blew out slowly, her right leg as jittery as if it was connected to a jackhammer.
It felt like there was no air. If she was inside she’d be going out for a breather.
This is torture.
The door slammed again, but Jen didn’t bother to look up. Probably more smokers or the last guys leaving.
Eight fifty-eight.Holly had two minutes.
Then what? Jen’s mouth went dry, her throat closing tight.
A sound like a broken whistle made her peek round the potted plants and chimney stack.
Despite the odd angle she recognised Holly’s perfect silhouette straight away.
There, in the glow of the fairy lights, stood Holly, hunched over, hands on thighs as she struggled to catch her breath.
Jen stood, surprised to find her legs were able to hold her even though they felt like jelly.
‘Holly?’
She looked up, her messy bun flopping to one side like it was falling apart, and a smile split her face in two. ‘One minute,’ she huffed, words a struggle as she held up a hand.
Jen took a few tentative steps closer, unsure what was going on. ‘You okay?’
Holly gripped her chest, pulling at the collar of her top. Jen noted her hoodie and shorts; she’d not gone to the effort Jen had. A sour feeling twisted in Jen’s stomach.
Finally, after a huge ragged breath, Holly spoke. Even in the failing light Jen could see the sweat pouring off her. ‘Sorry I’m late.’ Another deep breath. ‘I didn’t know there was football on at Hampden.’ More panting. ‘I ended up ditching the car and running here.’
Holly rose to her full height, hands on hips, and stomped her feet a bit. She let out a breathy, ‘Fuck.’
What to do? Could Jen touch her? She hovered a hand near Holly’s arm. ‘You okay? You’re not going to pass out or anything?’
Holly pulled a face. ‘Jury’s out on that one.’
‘Come, let’s sit.’
There was only the sound of Holly’s breathing for a while. Jen was painfully aware of the physical gap between them. Jen fixed her eyes on the skyline, even though all she wanted to do was look at Holly, take her in. She was really here. It almost didn’t feel real.
‘Oh my God,’ Holly said, her voice nearly back to normal. She wiped the sweat off her top lip. ‘I am not a runner.’
‘Did you really run all the way from Hampden?’ It was maybe just over a mile, but no mean feat if you weren’t used to running. The steep hill in Battlefield was a killer to even the accomplished runner.
Holly nodded, still looking like she might pass out a little.
‘Why didn’t you text?’ Jen asked. ‘I would have waited.’
‘I’d already gone a fair bit when I realised I’d left my phone in the car.’ She cracked another smile, laughing quietly as she undid her wrecked bun, bobby pins held between her lips, and twisted it back to how it should be. ‘This was not how I’d planned my entrance.’
‘I can imagine,’ Jen said with a chuckle. She felt light-headed herself, her heart hammering like she’d been the one doing the running. People didn’t smile and make jokes when they were on track to break someone’s heart, right? ‘How did you manage to get access to the roof?’
‘I went to the library where Gabriel works. He spoke to Bazza for me.’
Jen’s heart pinged with optimism. That was a lot of effort. ‘Romantic.’ The word felt taboo, but she needed to get a feel for where this was heading.
‘Trying to be, I guess.’
