Page 77 of Five Things I Love About You

It’s so unexpected I feel a grin creep across my face and he gives me a shove. ‘Oi, you’re not supposed to laugh!’

‘What do you expect me to do?’ I say, the grin turning into a proper laugh now. ‘You’re scared of my best friend!’

‘I’m not scared exactly, just, you know. Reserved.’

I can’t stop laughing and he takes his hand away from mine and crosses his arms sulkily which makes me cackle even more. I can tell from the twitch of his mouth that he’s trying not to laugh too and by the time we arrive at Central Station I’m hysterical.

Of course, I don’t tell him that’s he’s right to be scared of Kirstie, and that he’s completely accurate in his assertion that she’s waiting to find fault with him. That would be cruel.

I just hope my friend is on her best behaviour.

* * *

Kirstie is already waiting for us when we get there and, as we walk across the concourse under her gaze, I feel Jay’s grip tighten in mine.

‘Hey, you,’ she says as soon as I’m front of her, and throws her arms around me. It’s so good to see her in real life again I don’t want to let go and we stand there a little longer than necessary before I pull away.

‘Kirstie, this is Jay,’ I say, giving her a look that saysdon’t you dare say anything about the dreams.She knows not to, of course, but it doesn’t mean it won’t slip out by accident. ‘And, Jay, this is one of my best friends, Kirstie.’

Jay holds his hand out and after a fraction of a second’s hesitation, Kirstie takes it and shakes it.

‘Lovely to meet you,’ she says, smiling warmly, and if I didn’t know her I’d be completely fooled.

‘You too,’ Jay says, his voice tight. I hope he’s going to relax soon. I really need Kirstie to see how lovely he is. I need this to go well.

‘I could murder a drink.’ Kirstie says, hitching her tiny bag onto her shoulder.

‘I know just the place,’ Jay says, and the three of us head towards the exit. It’s drizzling outside now and we hurry round the corner and under a bridge beneath the railway line to a pub hidden behind the station. As we settle at a table, Jay goes to buy drinks.

‘He seems a bit on edge,’ Kirstie says, raising her eyebrows at Jay’s back.

‘Don’t,’ I say. ‘He’s really nervous about meeting you.’

‘Me?’ she says, in mock innocence.

‘Oh come on, Kirst, don’t pretend you’re surprised.’ I grin at her. ‘I’ve told him all about how scary you are.’

‘Ha, well good.’ She glances towards the bar. ‘So, you’re happy, are you?’

‘I am,’ I say. ‘He’s really lovely.’

‘And yet he hasn’t been to a gig before?’ she says.

‘Oh God, I know. Can you believe it?’

‘I can’t believe you’d go out with someone who doesn’t love music. But then again I never thought you’d chase halfway across the country to look for a man you fell in love with while you were asleep either, so what do I know?’

‘Don’t you dare say anything about that,’ I warn her. ‘I told him I came up here for work. Oh, and he doesn’t know about it being me who nearly ran him over in London or who caused the accident here, or about Matt either so?—’

‘Here you go.’ I jump as Jay places two bottles of beer and a glass of vodka and Diet Coke on the table and look at him guiltily. Did he hear any of that?

‘Thanks, love,’ I say, pressing my hand against his. He cups his hands round mine and I see Kirstie noticing.

‘So, your first gig, hey?’ Kirstie says.

Jay flicks me a look and nods sheepishly. ‘Yeah. I know. Tragic, hey?’

‘It’s just a surprise to me, that’s all,’ Kirstie says. ‘I mean, I know how much Miranda loves her music.’

---