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But there’s more to it than that.
“He might be ready, but I’m not,” I whisper. “My heart’s been broken too many times and I… I can’t risk it again. I told him, but he won’t listen.”
“He’s very persistent.”
“Stubborn is the word I’d use.”
“That works, too. I don’t envy you.”
My eyebrows lift. “Why?”
“When Huxley makes his mind up about something, he doesn’t let go of it easily.”
“Like a mutt with a bone.”
“There’s definitely a bone involved somewhere.”
We both laugh.
“Actually,” she says, her cheeks flushing a little, “I’ve got something to tell you. I’m seeing someone.”
“Oh!” I didn’t expect that. “Who?”
“His name’s Billy. He’s an accountant. Hux introduced us, funnily enough. He’s a year younger than me. I call him my toy boy.” She laughs.
“How long have you been seeing each other?”
“Only a few weeks. I asked him to come today but he’s not quite ready to meet everyone yet. But I think he will soon. He seems… serious.” Her blush deepens.
“Has he met Joanna?”
She nods. “She likes him, which is good. I’ve put off dating for a long time because I’ve worried what she might think, but when I told her she was really happy for me, which was lovely.”
“And you’ve told Huxley?”
“Of course—he was the first person I told. He said ‘about fucking time’.” She laughs.
I can’t explain why, but the whole story warms me right through. I smooth my wet hair off my face. “I should get changed.”
“Yeah. I’m glad we had this chat.”
“Me, too.”
I walk off to her ensuite with the dress and underwear.
“Elizabeth,” she calls, and I stop and turn. “He’s one of the good guys,” she says.
“Yeah, I know.” I sigh, go into the bathroom, and shut the door.
*
Huxley
When I finally get out of the pool, having been dunked by a dozen girls about a hundred times, I make my way up to the deck and discover Elizabeth stretched out on a sunbed, drying her hair in the sunshine. She’s wearing a dress that I think is Brandy’s, which is of course far too long for her, but she’s pulled it up a little to let the sun get to her legs.
I stand over her and shake myself like Nymph. She puts a hand up to shade her eyes and glares at me.
“I’ve just got dry,” she says.
