Page 16 of Weekends with You

“Yeah, yeah. It helps sometimes to look at it from someone else’s perspective, that’s all.”

We stood in silence, staring at the mannequin. “Be careful getting involved with Henry,” she said eventually.

“Me? Oh no, we aren’t—”

“I know you aren’t. But I do think he fancies you, and it isn’t easy trying to be with someone you hardly ever see. Trust me.”

I wanted nothing more than to ask what had given her the idea he liked me, but I figured it was best to keep my mouth shut on that front. Figured I’d sound a bit desperate. And I wasn’t sure I had any real reason to trust her, but she did seem convincing.

“I don’t think he fancies me,” I said, hoping that might prompt her. It didn’t. “But duly noted. Thanks for the tip.”

She offered her version of a smile, and I searched for an excuse to leave the studio.Is that why she brought me in here?

Since this was more than I’d ever gotten from Margot, Idecided to save my questions for another early morning run-in. Best not to scare her off, I supposed.

I spent the rest of the morning journaling, pretending to clean, practicing a bit of yoga, convincing myself I didn’t need to go out for a takeaway coffee, and waiting for the others to get the day started. It was slow. Eventually, a group text from Henry got the ball rolling.

Be ready to go in 30 mins. In trainers!

Athletic-chic it is, then. I rummaged through my wardrobe, trying on my clothes as if I didn’t know what they looked like. After deciding a cropped workout top was a bit much, I settled on a perfectly vintage oversize tee from college and a pair of black athletic shorts. I was shit at soccer, but I’d be damned if I didn’t look good.

Fancy helping me put together a picnic? There’s no way we can all spend the day at the park without something to eat,Raja texted me outside the group chat.

HA. You’re right. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.

“Lu, I should warn you, this flat is very competitive,” Raja said as soon as I walked in.

“I don’t think that’s a secret,” I laughed. “Not after last month’s pub quiz, anyway.”

“Henry, Margot, and Finn played in school, so they’re quite good, but the rest of us just mess about.”

“It’s a good thing I won’t be alone, then. Less embarrassing that way.”

“Nothing to be embarrassed about,” she said, then droppedthe knife she was holding and turned to face me. “Unless there’s someone you’re trying to impress?”

“Raja, please.” I tried to laugh, but it was forced.

“I knew it!” She stepped closer to me and put her hands on my shoulders. “It’s Hen, isn’t it? I saw you guys last night. I knew something was up. It was written all over your faces.”

“Nothing is ‘up,’” I said, swatting her hands away. “And you didn’t see anything last night, because there was nothing to see.” I wasn’t sure I meant that, but I hoped I sounded convincing anyway.

“I don’t know, Lu. I haven’t seen you flirt in public like that since that flatmate of yours right after uni.” She snapped her fingers, trying to jog her memory. “What was her name? Emily?”

“First of all, it was Amelia, and second of all, I thought we agreed to never talk about that again.” It was the worst case of an unrequited crush I’d ever had, and I had no intentions of reliving it.

“We could go back to talking about Henry instead,” she said.

“Or not, because there’s nothing to talk about. Let’s just focus on today, shall we?”

“If you say so,” she said, disbelief crowding the air between us.

On cue, Henry appeared at the entrance to the kitchen with a soccer ball under his arm. His shorts bared most of his still-tan legs, and his long-sleeve shirt was just old enough to be a bit snug. This was going to be a long day.

“Ready?” he asked.

“As we’ll ever be,” Jan said.

“That’s the spirit. Come on, then.”

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