Page 124 of Cover Story

‘I had no way out of the stupid flippancy I’d started. How did I switch to, “you know how once upon a time, I didn’t like you? Well, now not only do I like you, I like you more than I’ve ever liked anybody”?’

At this declaration, Connor’s face was suffused with a happiness she’d never seen before.

‘Exactly the bind I was in. It’s almost like spending months pretending didn’t put us in the greatest place to start telling the truth.’

‘OK. Well, to put it all fully unambiguously out there, last night I was hoping one time led to lots of times,’ Bel said.

‘Now I know that, it changes everything. It’s quite life-changing information.’

‘Connor … Oh, hello?’ Bel said, over his shoulder.

They turned and Connor’s dad was in the doorway.

‘Sorry, you weren’t answering your phone and I’m bursting for a number one!’

‘Sorry, Dad, big conversation here … this is Bel. Bel, Dad …’

‘Hello, Mr Adams,’ she said.

‘Please, Stuart,’ he replied. ‘It really is quite urgent, if you don’t mind. It’ll happen to you too one day Connor, your warning zone just disappears …’

‘Thanks, Dad.’

‘Let me show you where the loo is– use the downstairs one through here …’ Bel ushered him through the guest bedroom and into the en suite.

She was dazed, occupying two time zones– some part of her was still sobbing on the sofa. Connor was in love with her too?

‘Bel …’ Connor caught her on the way back and pulled her into a kiss. Their first kiss fully as themselves, with the intensity of total sincerity and nobody watching. It was better than the first time. Bel got her wish to be seized.

‘God, I hope my dad has got a whole Lucozade Sport bottle’s worth,’ Connor whispered in her ear as he kissed her neck, and Bel shook with laughter.

‘Can I come back next weekend?’ he said, one hand on the side of her face.

‘I feel like I’d die if you didn’t,’ Bel said, looking into his eyes.

Just as she felt regret at being so purple, Connor said: ‘Same here.’

They were going to be like this now? They’d flicked a switch to total candour and it was the greatest turn on in Bel’s life to date.

‘What about you hating Manchester?!’

‘It turns out I really don’t.’

They were interrupted by Connor’s dad saying: ‘Oh God, that’s better. I had a bladder the size of a haggis.’

68

Connor got back into the car, somewhat delirious. He had to remind himself to put his seatbelt on. His father looked at him curiously.

‘Nice girl. Is it serious then? Is she your girlfriend?’

‘I hope so.’

‘Didn’t I tell you women would be queuing up?’

‘Bel isn’t women, Dad,’ Connor said.

‘Oh? Who is she, then?’

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