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‘Never – one of your favourites?’
‘Absolutely.’ She’d loved theSpoonsalbum since it came out in 2007, but one of her favourite tracks had taken on new meaning this month and was her new go-to song. She’d found herself dancing to it in the kitchen on more than one occasion this week. It just so happened to be track one on the album, but was perhaps a little too risky given that it was about falling head over heels for someone. It was like the lyrics had been written for her and Holly.
Or should she be brave and shove it on anyway? It was the first track – she could swing it either way, should Holly mention it. Sleep hadn’t come easy last night, her evening with Holly playing on a loop in her head. Holly had been jealous, no denying it, but she’d stopped the kiss Jen initiated. Her intentions were as clear as mud. Not that Jen was any better, but with so much at stake, she could hardly just tell Holly how she felt.
They were nearly at the first stop. It was the perfect opportunity to put the track on and make herself scarce.
Feeling bold, Jen ignored her racing heart and clammy hands, telling the car to play the album. The first bars played as Holly brought the car to stop.
‘Right, you’re doing the legwork today. Flat 4/2.’
Jen hopped out of the car and popped the boot up, taking her time to locate the hamper as she spied on Holly in the rearview mirror. Her reaction was little more than a quiet nod of appreciation. So far.
‘Snack?’Holly asked when Jen returned to the car. She gave the packet a jiggle, its contents rattling.
Not the response she was expecting. Jen had hoped for something a little more topical, perhaps not a full admission of ‘I feel the same’ but something at least about the lyrics. Funny how no one ever sticks to the script you write in your head.
‘What the hell are they?’ Jen asked, eyeing the packet emblazoned with a huge chickpea.
‘Coffee-coated chickpeas – surprisingly good.’
‘Yuck. I’ll pass, thanks,’ Jen replied, buckling her seatbelt back up.
‘Honestly,’ Holly said, giving the packet another shake. ‘I would have knocked them too, but they’re amazing. Dad had samples out the other today and now I’m hooked. Go out of your comfort zone; you might be surprised.’
What harm would it do? Jen shoved a hand in the packet, picking up a single coated chickpea. She studied it between finger and thumb. It looked like a little brown speckled egg except it was nearly perfectly round.
‘Go on, it’s not going to bite you,’ Holly said, her face streaked with anticipation.
After a further second of inspection, Jen popped the snack in her mouth. It wasn’t anywhere close to what she’d expected. She’d imagined a wet chickpea like you get in a tin, and how that would taste if you plopped it in a cup of coffee. This was crunchy, sweet but bitter, and definitely moreish.
‘Bloody good, eh?’ Holly looked as smug as if she’d made them herself. ‘Here, have a few more. Keep your strength up for all those steps.’ She tipped a handful into Jen’s open palm.
‘Why does that work?’
‘I know, right? Who thinks up these things?’ Holly hit pause on the Wallis Bird album. ‘As much as I enjoyed that, I think I know what this car is lacking.’
‘Uh-huh?’ Jen mumbled, her mouth full of chickpeas.
‘It’s the deli car, so there’s only one thing for it.’ She clicked a few icons and brought up her playlists. There were a lot. She was quick to tap on ‘Holly Taylor’s Cheesy Chunes’, but Jen couldn’t help but notice what was at the top of Most Recently Played: an album titledLovefest.She’s made an album for the month? That was dedication. Maybe it was for the deli. Holly’s face beamed with excitement. ‘This car lacks cheese! Road trips are so much more fun when you can both sing along.’
The opening bars of Britney Spears’s ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ filled the car. Jen tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and groaned, making a show of her disapproval. Holly wasted no time in belting the words out, complete with shoulder shuffles and finger-pointing.
‘Let’s get this show on the road,’ Holly hollered.
‘More like eyes on the road, Miss Taylor. I don’t want to die listening to Britney.’
Holly continued her dancing, giving the chorus full welly, watching the road ahead as she grabbed for Jen’s belly and tickled her. ‘C’mon, you know you want to join in.’
Holly’s hands safely back on the wheel, Jen held back for the remaining verse, pretending she wasn’t interested until the chorus hit and she gave it her all. No point fighting it; Holly’s energy was contagious.
‘Yes, Jen! C’mon!’ Holly cheered, her grin a mile wide.
That smile. Jen would do anything to keep seeing it.
* * *
‘Any word?’Jen asked, leaning on the car door so she was positioned sideways. Sitting in the car was getting tedious – she just wanted to get home.
