Page 37 of Wish You Once More
“No. She’s a friend of Rosie’s.” I stared into the bottom of my cup of beer, hoping to find the answers there. “We’ve been out a couple of times.”
“Ooo!” Melinda’s interest sparked. “We could have sorted out a barbecue, invited them over.”
“They had to leave. Rosie’s got some modelling thing tomorrow so they’re driving back tonight.”
Jonny all but pouted. “Shame, I was looking forward to catching up with Scott.”
“I’m sure you’ll get chance some other time.”
Dad let out a yawn, and Jonny and I locked gazes. It wasn’t even eight o’clock. Seeing him so tired so early set off a warning alarm.
“I think I might head home,” he said. “Leave you youngsters to it. Tomorrow will be a busy day, what with all the people checking out, there’ll be a lot to do.”
“Maybe I could help out?” I offered. “My train isn’t until the afternoon.”
Dad patted my arm. “Don’t be silly, Mat. There’s no need for that. Jonny and I have it covered.”
The dark expression on Jonny’s face told me all I needed to know. Guilt that I would be leaving again pricked at my conscience. But even when I offered my help, it was rebuffed. If that was going to be the case, then I planned to enjoy my last night at home before going back to my real world.
18
Bree
The festival ended with a bang. Such a success. As we cleared up around the park, exhaustion crept into my bones. A combination of being so busy on so little sleep, seeing Mat, spending time with his not-quite-girlfriend and not eating began to take its toll.
Callie, Harry and his mates had come over to tell me they were going to The Black Cap. They told me to meet them there when I’d finished tidying up, but all I could think about was going home and snuggling down under my duvet. Plus I had already committed to going to The Castle Hotel with the rest of the committee to celebrate the success of another Dart Sundowner.
Walking around the park, a black bin liner in one hand, bright yellow Marigold rubber glove on the other, I picked up litter, as well as plastic cups and bottles to recycle. This was certainly one of the less glamorous jobs.
Darkness was falling, the park lit with spotlights from the stage. The dozen or so people who were helping out with the clean-up, chattered quietly amongst themselves.
“Can I give you a hand?”
I didn’t have to turn around to know the voice belonged to Mat. A drunk Mat at that.
Slowly I rotated to face him. His dark grey t-shirt clung to his muscular chest, a slightly suspect stain spreading across the material. Given how unsteady he appeared to be on his feet, I guessed it was from the beer he held at an alarming angle. A soppy grin covered his face, one that my memory recognised. The one which usually came after a successful show.
I placed my hands on my hips. “Youwant to spend your Sunday night picking up crap with your-” I stopped mid-sentence, unsure how to describe myself. Ex-girlfriend? Friend? Festival volunteer?
“I’d like to spend my Sunday evening picking up crap withyou.” He placed the emphasis on the same word I had.
Throwing up my hands in defeat, I shoved the bag in his direction. “Fine. The more the merrier. The quicker we can get finished, the quicker I can get home.”
“Are you not coming for a drink?” Darla asked. Seriously, she had the hearing of a bat at times, usually when I didn’t want her to. “You’ve done such a good job.” Her smiled broadened as she glanced over at Mat. “Particularly in making sure this one got here.”
“It was nothing.” I glanced over at Mat, who had barely taken his eyes off me.
“Why don’t you come along too, Mat? We’d love to have you there.”
Hopefully, he’d say no, say he had to get back to Jonny and the family. Thank Darla for her kind offer, but sorry, he’d decline.
“Thanks, that would be great.” He grinned, staring straight at me as he spoke.
“Lovely, we’ll let you know when we’re leaving. Bryan, what on earth are you doing? Let me come and help.” Darla shouted out to Bryan who was trying to wrestle a bag into one of the huge wheeled bins we’d been using. “See you later,” she added over her shoulder as she dashed in Bryan’s direction.
Mat’s eyes went from me to his now empty beer bottle. “Shall I put this in here?” He dangled it over the bin bag.
“Whatever.” I refrained from rolling my eyes. Seriously, Mat could wrap anyone around his little finger when he wanted to. Including me.
