Page 69 of The Life Experiment
What if, what if, what if… Somehow, when Angus was around, that question wasn’t quite so prevalent.
Layla saw him before he saw her. Up ahead, standing under the entrance to the park, as promised. Angus wasn’t scrolling on his phone while he waited like most would. He was alert, scanning the crowd for Layla. And, as his face broke into a wide smile, Layla knew he’d spottedher. Her stomach flipped. That smile… It was enough to make Layla weak at the knees. A terribly timed reaction considering she was about to ice-skate for the first time.
‘Are you excited?!’ Angus enthused as soon as she drew near enough to hear him.
‘Of course! A little nervous too,’ Layla admitted.
Grinning, Angus swept her into a hug. As his capable arms pressed her body against his, Layla wished more than anything that Angus would hold on longer. Brush her hair back from her face. Lean in and kiss her…
But, ever the gentleman, Angus didn’t push his luck. Their hug was one of friendship and warmth, even if Layla could swear it sizzled with the sparks of wanting more.
‘Come on. Let’s join the queue before you talk yourself out of it,’ Angus said.
‘Or before the rink gets too full,’ Layla replied, eying the crowd. It seemed like half of London had come to the park with the same idea. People old and young, families and couples, all ready to skate as if they were invincible. Layla didn’t know where they got the confidence, but as Angus slipped his arm through hers, she felt her own self-assurance rise. Another few minutes in Angus’s presence and Layla wouldn’t be surprised if she believed she could rule the world.
The queue was surprisingly quick. Wrapped around the rink, it allowed people to see what they were signing up for. Lights flooded the icy surface and festive music blared, giving life to a scene that was already brimming with people.
‘Look at her,’ Angus marvelled, pointing to a woman who was skating on one leg. ‘Isn’t she amazing?’
‘I hope you don’t expect me to do that,’ Layla said.
‘I reckon you could do it. I’ll hold your hand for support.’
Layla’s stomach flipped at the thought of Angus’s hand around hers. ‘I’ll only drag you down.’
‘I wouldn’t mind. If there’s one person I’d let pull me to the ground, it’s you.’
As her butterflies fluttered into overdrive, Layla itched to reply,You’re the only person I’d let do that too.But like always, when it came to admitting her true feelings to Angus, she held her tongue.
A couple skated past at that moment, dancing to Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’.
‘I love their confidence,’ Layla commented. ‘I wish I could dance in public like that.’
‘Well then, that’s what we’ll do,’ Angus replied, stepping forward as the queue moved. ‘Tonight, we won’t just skate. We will become ice dancers.’
Layla laughed. ‘Do you really think I’ll be able to stand long enough to dance?’
‘I reckon we’ll be able to make our own moves up, for sure. They might be more Bambi-on-ice than graceful, but who cares?’
Layla felt like she was floating when Angus talked about them as a unit. Ever since their first meeting, daydreams of ‘us’ and ‘we’ and ‘ours’ had filled her mind.
Stop, her brain warned.Think of your death date.
But as Angus paid their admission, Layla silenced the thought. For one night, she didn’t want to think of the end. She wanted to think of right here, right now. Of lacing skates alongside a man who made her feel like anything was possible.
‘You okay?’ Angus asked as his steady hand guided a wobbling Layla towards the entrance to the rink.
‘I’m okay. Terrified, but okay.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Angus said, stepping onto the ice and stretching out his hand for her. ‘I’ve got you. What’s the worst that could happen?’
A list of scary possibilities flooded Layla’s mind. She could prove her death date wrong by falling and breaking her neck, for one. She could be wiped out. Split her trousers. Break a limb. Humiliate herself in front of the biggest crowd she had ever been in.
Or…
Or she could take Angus’s hand and glide.
Reaching for him, Layla put her foot on the ice and trusted.
