Page 109 of From Now On

‘I was… it doesn’t matter how I was. You think I’m that smooth, though?’ He pretends to brush an imaginary speck from his shoulder.

‘Well, you managed it again unless you’ve started wearing jewellery.’ Nina leans closer to Charlie, studying his earlobes.

‘It was Pippa’s earring.’

‘Pippa’s. Oh, that’s a relief. Wait. How did it get into your bed?’

‘She was in my bed.’

‘But then where were you… oh.’

‘Oh, indeed.’

‘But… Pippa.Youand Pippa. How long?’

‘You remember I told you about my first kiss? It was Pippa.’

‘The one where you were six or thirteen?’

‘Both.’

‘But that was years ago.’

‘It was.’

‘And now you’re like… thirty-three?’

‘I am.’

‘Fuck. Charlie. All this time you’ve… loved her?’

‘In my defence, I didn’t know until recently that I still did. I pushed her away.’ Charlie glances at Nina, suddenly serious. ‘You’re not the only one who gets scared at the thought of people leaving. After my dad… left—’ Nina notices his knuckles whiten against the steering wheel as he says this ‘—I was lost. Confused. Not sure what love was or why mine wasn’t good enough.’

‘Oh, Charlie. You… you’re just as fucked up as me.’

‘Family trait.’ He flashes a smile. ‘Do you think it’s too late for me?’

Well, you’re an idiot but at least you know that now. Tell her.’

‘You won’t mind if she and I become… an us?’

‘Mind?’ Nina can’t even remember the first time she met Pippa; she’s just always been there, part of the family. Unwavering. Dependable. Driving them to Colesby Bay without hesitation the day the awful news came in. ‘I can’t think of anything better.’

Charlie smiles and cranks up the air conditioning. ‘It’s hot, isn’t it?’

‘That’s because it’s…’ Nina clicks off the stereo and launches into a rendition of ‘Summertime’, her hands beating out the rhythm on her thighs. Charlie joins in, not with the low, muted voice she’s heard him sing with but with a clear confidence. They take it in turns to pick songs, both immediately knowing the lyrics, the soundtrack of both of their childhoods. From the upbeat tempo of ‘On The Sunny Side Of The Street’ to the laidback ‘Autumn Leaves’ they sing them all.

Together.

Later, Charlie says,

‘We’ve forty-five minutes before the concert starts. If we go straight to the school we can grab front row seats?’

‘Charlie?’ she asks. ‘Can we go somewhere else first please? It’s really important.’

Chapter Fifty-Two

Duke

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