Page 27 of The Happy Hour
Jess burst out laughing, but her heart skipped at his words. ‘What does that evenmean, Spade? I’m sorry, but we have to go.’ She extracted herself from his grip.
‘Get going, you young things.’ Spade shooed them away. ‘Great to meet you, Ash.’
‘You too,’ Ash called over his shoulder.
‘We’re going to Blackheath?’ Jess asked, once they could walk side by side. ‘Can I fold this up?’ She thought she’d already jabbed him in the arm with one of the kite’s corners.
‘Shit, of course,’ Ash said. It looked like he was about to balance one coffee on top of the other so he could help.
Laughing, Jess turned away from him and folded the kite, then wound its tail up so it couldn’t trip or stab anyone. They waited at the lights, the gusty wind pushing Jess’s hair into her face as they dodged people on the narrow pavement, then walked through the gateway into Greenwich Park.
Jess’s legs burned and her breaths shortened as they strode up the hill. They went past the observatory – too early for its ball drop today – then down the long, wide driveway, with parking spaces either side and trees framing the lawns that stretched away from them, leading to the bandstand and pond, the formal gardens.
‘Did you buy this specially?’ Jess asked, once the ground had evened out and her breathing had slowed.
‘There aren’t many places to fly a kite in Holborn,’ Ash said.
‘But you did when you were younger?’
He frowned. ‘I mean, we must have done, once or twice. I don’t really remember.’
‘So if you’re not doing this to show off your skills, then why did you bring it?’
Ash stopped suddenly, then turned to face her. A woman walking two sleek Dalmatians changed course, shooting them a glare over her shoulder. Ash didn’t notice, and Jess ignored it. ‘I have come here today with a brightly coloured kite, decked out with rainbow bows and ribbons, and you think I brought it so I could look cool in front of you?’
Jess laughed even as she shrugged. ‘OK. Maybe not.’
‘I made a friend on the boat,’ he said, as they started walking again. ‘She had pigtails and red patent shoes. I think she was five.’
Jess’s cheeks hurt from smiling. ‘OK,’ she said again.
‘I bought this because I thought it would be fun,’ he told her. ‘But if we get onto the heath and there’s some guy with a stunt kite, wearing proper sports gloves and mirrored sunglasses, you bet I’m going to try and compete with him. Get our kite to fly higher than his.’
‘Oh God,’ Jess said. ‘I really hope there’s a professional kite-flyer now. I wouldloveto see that!’
Ash made a disgruntled noise, but when Jess glanced at him, he was smiling.
There were two other kites dancing in the sky above the heath, but neither looked like stunt kites. One was shaped like an octopus, with huge eyes and tentacles wiggling in the wind, and the other was a diamond like theirs, its red and blue design distinctly patriotic. They found a spot close to the park gates, the spire of Blackheath Church hazy in the distance, a cluster of rooks pecking through the grass nearby.
‘Are you going to challenge him?’ Jess pointed at the small boy in a blue parka, taking the reins of the octopus.
‘It wouldn’t be fair,’ Ash said. ‘He’s too young to be gifted the arrogance of flying against us. I’m not sure we’re even going to get this thing in the air.’
‘Of course we are,’ Jess said as she unfolded it. Even this low to the ground, the wind was whipping the tail into a fervour.
‘Here,’ Ash said. ‘Let’s swap. Americano.’
He passed Jess the cup, and she was surprised that there was no telltale leakage darkening the stiff cardboard. ‘Is this a skill of yours?’ She handed him the kite once he’d put his own cup on the grass. ‘Holding onto coffee in unstable situations?’
He unwound the kite’s string, gripping the handle firmly as he gave it more slack. ‘Maybe it is,’ he said. ‘I’ve never monitored my ability to not spill coffee, but I’m as surprised as you that we haven’t lost more. Now, I guess this is what we’re supposed to be doing?’ The kite was trailing along the ground, catching in the grass.
‘Didn’t you look it up?’ Jess was laughing again. ‘I think I should hold the kite until enough of the string’s unravelled, then... throw it up, see if the wind catches it?’
‘OK,’ Ash said, ‘that sounds good.’
Jess put her cup next to his and went to rescue the kite. She held it in both hands, and walked backwards while Ash unspooled the string. She could feel the wind tugging at the thin fabric in a hopeful sort of way.
‘Now?’ Ash called.
