Page 26 of Fake Rocks
“Tris, I’m worried about this…thing, between you and that Barnes girl.”
“What do you mean?”
She glared at Col. “Your uncle told me all about the agreement to make her look good in front of the press. Who does that?”
“Lots of people, apparently.” I shrugged. “I think it’s quite common in certain circles to have these sort of things, to protect people.”
“We’re not part of those circles though, are we? We’re nice, normal, hard-working people.” She took a large gulp of wine. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Hey.” I reached across the table and took her hand. “I’m not going to. It’s not as if I don’t know what this is all about. It’s probably even easier than a proper relationship because I know it’s not real.” I had to keep reminding myself of that, despite the thoughts I’d been having about Saff.
“How long’s it going to go on for? And will it stop you having a real relationship?”
“I don’t know, and anyway, right now probably isn’t the right time for me to get involved with anyone. This way I can focus on helping Uncle Col and make the most of this thing with Saff, perhaps enjoy life for a little while. Don’t you think I deserve that?”
Aunt Annie squeezed my hand. “Of course you do. Promise me you’ll be careful?”
I nodded. “Scout’s honour.”
I hoped she didn’t see me crossing my fingers beneath the table.
We got home shortly after ten and I headed straight to my room. I needed to make sure I had everything for the weekend when we left in the morning, and I didn’t want to keep Uncle Col waiting. As I packed my bag with the basics, my phone vibrated.
I frowned.
There weren’t many people who had my number anymore.
Expecting it to be a marketing text, I ignored it, trying to find the boxers Saff had bought me the other night. A couple of minutes later, it did the same, and again, I ignored it, not wanting to be distracted. When I was sure I had everything I needed, I went to the bathroom, cleaned my teeth, got undressed and slid under the duvet.
I reached for my phone, seeing a couple of messages from a number I didn’t recognise.
The first one was pretty vague, a simple ‘hi’ followed by three dots. The next said ‘looking forward to the weekend?’
Recently, I’d deleted a lot of contacts from my address book. People who either didn’t care enough to contact me to ask if I was okay, or people who had who were less than positive. I didn’t want those types of people in my life any longer.
Tentatively, I typed a response.
Who is this?
The three dots flashed as whoever was on the other end replied.
Me, you idiot! How many other people are you going away with at the weekend?!?!
Saff.A smile crept across my face. I didn’t know how she’d got my number, Uncle Col I guessed.
Ah, you’d be surprised.I replied.
You’d better not be cheating on me already!!! This is our first official date, remember???
As if. Who’d be foolish enough to do that?
To use your words, you’d be surprised…
I paused before replying. She’d told me more in a couple of messages than she had done when we’d talked at brunch the other day.
Where are you?
A part of me hoped she was at home, preparing for the trip in the same way I had been.
