Page 54 of Enemies to Lovers

‘Yeah,’ he whispers back. ‘Just. Thinking things. Thoughts.’

‘Hmmm,’ I say. ‘Yes. Thinking thoughts. Same over here.’

I can just about make out his profile in the hazy moonlight from outside.

‘When I was little and I couldn’t sleep, my mum used to climb into my bed and tell me a story,’ I say. ‘All these tales about a little girl called Flo who found a spaceship on the village green.’

‘Good old Vee,’ Jamie replies. ‘I’ll bet she still got in to work early the next morning, too.’

‘You’ve heard the Superwoman stories then?’ I ask.

‘I’ve met the woman,’ Jamie quips. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever met a more motivated and together person in all my life.’

‘Right,’ I whisper. ‘God, she intimidates me. Like I feel so … not up to scratch, you know?’

‘Florence, no!’ Jamie says. ‘Come here. Come here right now.’

‘What do you mean?’ I ask.

He flings back his bedsheet. ‘Let me tell you a story,’ he says.

Heart pounding, I slip out of my bed and into his, fitting snugly around him like we’re two commas. I feel his hand on my forehead from behind, where he pushes the hair off my face tenderly and says, ‘There was once a girl called Florence, who found a spaceship on the village green …’

I smile and let him talk.

‘Now Florence was a very clever girl. Woman, really, although because she was the youngest in her family, everyone treated her like a kid, which bugged her, but shewas too classy to let on. She rose above it, and set about dominating everything that crossed her path because she understood that actions speak louder than words.’

I feel myself unwind; my shoulders loosen and my breath regulates and deepens.

‘Anyway the spaceship scared Florence. She had dreamed of space her whole life, but actually riding in a spaceship was terrifying, because then her dream wouldn’t be her dream any more, it would be a reality; and if the reality wasn’t as good as her dream, she’d feel sad and disappointed. The thing is, Florence also knew that being in space could be even better than anything she’d ever imagined. And she’d only know if she actually got on board and let it take off …’

‘That sounds like a big decision,’ I say, keeping my eyes closed. ‘And being scared isn’t to be underestimated.’

‘Hmmm,’ muses Jamie. ‘Good job she has somebody to help her along, then. Her friend, Jamie.’

I laugh. ‘Good old Jamie,’ I say. ‘Best-friend-for-life material?’

‘Well,’ Jamie says, ‘it’s been a rocky path for Florence and Jamie, because they’ve never been sure if they are supposed to be friends or not, but Jamie decided to seize the day and be a pal, because it was better to have Florence in his life than not, and he liked to believe Florence felt the same.’

I open my eyes now, and shift my weight to look slightly back over my shoulder.

‘Yeah,’ I whisper. ‘I think Florence does feel the same …’

I can just about make out his smile in the darkness.

‘Good,’ he says quietly.

‘Keep going,’ I urge, letting my eyes flutter shut. Jamie’s nose knocks against my shoulder. It tickles, in a nice way.

‘So, Jamie stood beside his friend Florence and said,Come on, let’s go for it. Let’s launch off into space.And Florence agreed, taking the lead before she could change her mind, dragging poor old Jamie by the hand until they’re in the spaceship and strapped into the seats, ready for take-off.’

‘That sounds good,’ I say. ‘Exciting.’

‘Agreed,’ says Jamie. He tightens his grip on me.

Softly I ask, ‘What happens in space?’

Jamie laughs lightly. ‘Oh,’ he says, ‘they have a great time.’

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