Page 86 of What Happens in Dubai

‘I bet you’re a lot better with a hammer than Tom! I don’t think they had tech at an international private school!’ I laughed.

Andy giggled. ‘Who’s saying I learned my moves at tech! I’m from Castlemilk originally, hen. A hammer was part of your school uniform there.’

We both laughed loudly and Andy sighed.

‘Well, the offer always stands. I mean it, anytime. I better boost. Got a busy day.’ Andy winked and turned to leave the clinic.

‘Are you just going home now by yourself?’ I blurted out before he left.

Andy turned, looking confused at my random choice of words.

‘I don’t even know what I meant to say there.’ I cleared my throat. ‘Are you heading home then, I meant.’ I could feel my face twist with embarrassment.

‘Yeah, I’m heading home now,’ he chuckled. ‘And, I live alone. Well, sort of. It’s complicated. See you darlin’.’ With that, Andy about-turned and left the clinic.

‘Look! Look!’ Tom raced through the door, brushing past Andy, holding a paper under his arm. He sat the two boxes of noodles on the desk and opened it up. ‘He’s gone. Luke’s gone.’ He looked at me sympathetically as he handed the paper over.

‘What? What do you mean?’ I asked, feeling sick at the sound of his name.

‘It was sitting in the window of the newsagents, and I grabbed it when I saw the photo. I recognised the bastard immediately. Read the article,’ he urged, pointing the paper in my face.

My eyes skimmed the front page ofThe Daily Record: YOUNG THUG JAILED FOR KNIFE ATTACK.

‘He’s pled guilty. He’s in prison, Zara,’ Tom continued, and I could feel my body drain with relief.

‘Oh my god, thank god. I mean, I hope the other guy is OK, but he’s gone. He’s actually gone.’

Tom nodded. ‘He won’t be bothering you anytime soon. An argument with a neighbour apparently.’

Without thinking, I bound my arms around him and squeezed tightly. I felt my heart warm, and I became conscious of how good he smelled. I opened my eyes and caught a glimpse of Andy observing our embrace as he entered his car. He smiled over when he saw me, then drove off. Our hug broke, but our eye contact remained. I was beaming at him as if he was my very own Dog the Bounty Hunter.

‘Come on, let’s eat.’ Tom edged my tub of curried noodles towards me while smiling at how well he knew my order. He indulged in a more adventurous dish filled with shrimp and chillies.

While we ate, we talked about launching the social media idea behind us, and I felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders with Luke gone. Finally, a few more parcels arrived, and among them was the large black square for the selfie station. We laughed together as Tom rolled his sleeves up to tackle hanging the frame. I couldn’t help but think of Andy while watching Tom’s attempt to get his hands dirty.

‘I thought she was using bloody Polaroids,’ he said, holding the frame steady against the wall while I used the screwdriver.

I chuckled. ‘Yes, but we need to attach the photos to a background,’ I explained.

Tom nodded, looking flustered at a bit of DIY, and we eventually managed to screw the fixture to the wall.

‘You know, I think we should take a selfie and hang it here,’ Tom pointed to the centre of the wall, ‘so that Ashley appreciates the struggle that took.’

‘Excellent idea. I’ll grab the camera!’ I giggled as I stumbled across to the desk and popped the film in.

‘OK, let’s do it!’

We stood against the black backdrop, and I held the camera outward.

‘Smile!’ I shouted, a second before I felt Tom’s lips squeeze into my cheek.

Click.

His lips were still there, and I gradually turned my face, peering straight into his eyes. In my hand, the camera was doing its job; in the silence, I heard the small square picture fall to the ground. Tom’s face was just a breath from mine. Neither of us moved.

‘We can’t,’ I whispered.

‘I know.’

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