Page 41 of Closer than Ever

Hayley turned onto her elbow, facing Anna, who was lying on her back. “So did you.”

“Goodnight, Hayley.” Anna reached up to the wall and switched the light off. It was almost pitch black with the single curtain pulled closed. Outside was mostly woods and other campervans.

“Goodnight, Anna.”

They fell silent. Anna lay there listening to the sound of Hayley’s breathing, hyper aware of every movement either of them made. Hayley turned over onto her back and took a deep breath in and a slow breath out. It felt like they were both staring at the ceiling together. The last time Anna had been in a bed with Hayley it had ended up in full sex, so it was bound to be a little awkward, right? Anna turned onto her side, facing away from her. Her sleeping bag made a high-pitched scratchy noise as she did so.

Unable to sleep, Anna’s mind drifted to earlier, when they were in their bikinis, swimming around and laughing. To when Hayley slipped off her shorts. To when Hayley ran her eyes so briefly over her body when she took her clothes off. To Hayley’s smile and her lips. Her mischievous grin. Anna started to feel hot. Bothered. Turned on.

She sighed.

Had she done the right thing coming on this trip and sharing such a small space with her old crush? Or was this just going to be awkward and torturous? Could she cope with the latter?

Seven

October 2012

While Anna was in the kitchen making dinner, Hayley came in and sat in front of the television behind her. For the next ten minutes, Anna glanced over her shoulder as Hayley became engrossed in the Scottish news programme and the random segments. Anna found Hayley’s interest in the country captivating. She liked how curious and open-minded Hayley was. Her enthusiasm to learn about what it was really like here was flattering. Part of Anna felt like she had to represent the whole of Britain and, even, look out for this American. “Hey. Would you like a cup of tea?”

Hayley looked up from the small sofa as if only remembering where she was. “Oh, hey. Um. Yes, please.”

Anna smiled. For a perfect stranger off the street, Hayley had instantly fitted into the flat as a good person to live with. Fun. Interesting. Clean and tidy. Not too loud, unless she was on the phone to her family and friends back in the US. But that was totally understandable.

Hayley pointed at Anna’s hand. “What’s that called?”

Anna filled the kettle from the tap. “What?”

“That thing you’re holding.”

Anna held it up, confused. “The kettle?”

“Oh, it’s a kettle! I haven’t seen one that shape before, or one made out of plastic.”

“How do you boil water in America?”

“On the stove or we just put a mug of water in the microwave.”

Anna was lost for words. Her brain couldn’t compute.

Hayley laughed. “You look horrified.”

“I am. In the microwave?”

“The wrong thing to say?”

“On so many levels.”

Hayley laughed.

Anna lowered the kettle and switched it on. “It must take ages on the stove.”

“We drink a lot less tea than you guys.”

The kettle shook as the water came to a boil then it switched itself off as steam billowed out of the spout. “We are obsessed with tea. Britain would collapse if we had to faff about with stoves every time someone had to make some.” Anna poured the water in. “Do you take milk? Sugar?”

“No thanks. Just black, and could you take the teabag out after a few seconds please?”

“Sure. Not a builder’s brew, then.”

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