Page 91 of Only Ever You

But like usual, Bash’s family gave him no reprieve.

Matt’s voice saying that they should probably get the model off of the floor made him remember they weren’t the only ones in the room. But for that minute as their eyes had held, it felt like they’d been the only ones on earth.

Faye generously brought presents for his parents, when she needn’t have done, as thank yous for letting her be here.Thank youwasn’t necessary at all when she was welcome whenever she liked.

For his dad, she’d found a tiny sculpture made from sea glass at the Christmas market she’d held a stall at. Bash didn’t know how she’d remembered Arthur’s hobby at all. And for Michèle, she’d played it safe but still sweet with a modest hamper of handmade candles, pot pourri, and macarons.

Her gift to him had been a scrapbook she’d put together of photos of them and their friends from the last ten years. From university, group holidays, all the way through to their most recent nights atSamuel’s.Bash loved it. But there were a handful of pages blank at the end.

When he’d asked why, she’d said, “They’re blank for the years still to come,” and he’d melted right there and then. A man-sized pool of goo on the cream carpet was all that was left behind of him.

He knew those empty pages were Faye’s way of promising that, even though she was moving away, there would still be more.More days together. More evenings. More nights.

“I know that everyone takes photos on their phones now and people don’t print them off much anymore,” she said, “butthisis permanent.”

He’d hugged her sideways for a long time and ignored the curiosity in his brother’s gaze when he didn’t let her go.

Here, on the carpet, the worry that Bash had for confessing his love for Faye came tumbling back.

How could he tell her now that he was hers when she was leaving for a year? Two things would happen if he did:

One, she’d reject him and he’d be wounded, and she’d leave for Manchester. Maybe meet the love of her life there and never return.

Two, she’d agree to see where a relationship with him might go and then change her mind on leaving. He’d want her to stay, obviously, but she’d be throwing away a great opportunity if she did.

But what if hedidtell her, and she didn’t push him away but fell for him too? Things between them could turn into exactly what he’d always wanted. How much would he regret never finding out?

After opening the stockings – which Faye was surprised to have found hers containing little gifts from his parents – only one more thing was left to do.

“Right!” Arthur announced, holding up a conspicuous looking unclaimed gift. “It’s time to see who wins the naughty gift this year.”

Faye’s shoulder brushed Bash’s. “What’s happening?”

He suppressed his laugh at how confused she looked. He probably should’ve warned her of this tradition beforehand.

“It’s our tradition where you tell a story of your naughtiest moment from this year, and whoever was the naughtiest wins the extra prize.”

“Oh … ” She was terrified, clearly.

“Hm. Start thinking now.”

The submissions had to be PG which ruled out Bash entirely, on account of his naughtiest moments not being safe for young ears. He made up something about accidentally making a mistake at work and pretending it was Bennet’s fault, a safe answer that likely wouldn’t let him win.

“Faye?” Michèle prodded. “What about you?”

This should be good.Bash turned on his numbing bum to her and waited.

Faye thought for a second. “I … had a customer who was rude to my staff, so when he wasn’t looking I might have added an extra doughnut onto his order, which he didn’t realise until he’d paid. He didn’t want the second doughnut and I pointed to the sign that says ‘No Refunds.’”

Michèle and Saira both clapped their hands up in the air.

“That’s evil, Faye,” Matt said and Faye shrugged.

“I got to keep the doughnut and the five pounds, and he learned to not be rude to my staff.”

Bash was oddly proud.

The girls tried their best with their stories, but it was Saira who won.

---