Page 42 of Closer than Ever

“What’s that?”

“There’s this trope about builders drinking it strong and sweet.” Anna shrugged. “It’s just one of those sayings we have here.”

“See. This is the sort of stuff you just can’t learn unless you live in a country and get to know people.”

Anna finished making the tea. “You seem to be enjoying those news reports.” Anna handed Hayley her cup and sat down beside her. “Is it different from the news you get back home?”

Hayley sat back, resting her cup on her lap and holding it there. “On the face of it, yeah, they are presented very differently. Our news tends to be brighter, with more commercials and lots of information flashing across the screen. But in essence it’s pretty much the same. Except for the cute accents.”

“Can you understand them?”

“A lot of the time, no. But I’m trying. Listening to Scottish people in pubs is helping. They exaggerate more when they talk, and I can kind of get the gist. Plus they don’t get as offended when you ask them to repeat what they just said when they’re drunk.”

“Smart.”

“What does blether mean?”

“It means to talk. To ramble on about nonsense. It’s about as Scottish as it gets.”

Hayley brought the cup to her lips and gently blew on her tea. “That’s cute. I’m here for that.”

***

Present day

The landscape grew more rugged as they travelled. Anna concentrated on the road, glad that Hayley was getting to enjoy the nice scenery. Hayley had always been super interested in learning new things about this country. And seeing more of it. It was adorable. Cultured. Attractive.

“Thank you for driving,” Hayley said. “I’m loving being a passenger princess.”

Anna laughed. “It’s nothing. I don’t mind.”

Hayley had insisted they put some music on. She tapped her thighs in time with the music still looking out of the window. “This is the life.”

Bob Marley came on the speakers. This was the song Hayley used to sing to Anna when they lived together, sweetly reminding her not to worry. Anna felt her cheeks redden. Was this on Hayley’s playlist or something?

Hayley looked over at her and smiled. “Do you remember this one?”

“I do.”

“I love this one.” Hayley looked forward at the road, swaying to the music. “It always reminds me of you.”

Anna’s breath caught. She swallowed, gripping the steering wheel that bit harder. They listened to it in a somewhat tense state as the views flew past.

The next one came on. Another Bob Marley. More upbeat. It was also one they used to listen to and sing to, hanging out in one another’s bedrooms intending to study but not getting any work done. Hayley started singing, quite freely. She reached over and poked the side of Anna’s thigh with her index finger. “Sing with me.”

“Nah, you’re okay.”

“Oh come on!” she said, in between the lines, dancing in her seat now. “We always used to!”

Anna submitted to the inevitable and let herself join in with Hayley’s singing, rocking her head slightly in time with the music.

“Woohoo! There it is! Just like old times!”

Anna shook her head, smiling now. “Old times. Yes.”

They sang the rest of the song and went straight into the next one, letting loose. Anna drummed on the steering wheel and sang freely too. It was a dance song about feeling the love that was out when Hayley was living here, and it was so uplifting. She glanced over at her friend rocking out beside her, and they caught eyes briefly, all smiles and in full car seat performance glory. Hayley sang even louder. Anna giggled.

“Life’s good, man!” Hayley said. “I could get used to this.”

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