Page 155 of How We Began

I breathed a little “yes,” then dragged my chair around to his side of the desk.

“What book are you looking at?”

“Don’t be so bloody ridiculous, Ben.”

He gave a little chuckle and slid one of his books towards me.

10th June

“Seriously, are you going to sing Guns N' Roses all fucking day? Because I may have to take desperate action, like go to the library and study.” Meredith stormed in and turned down my speaker.

“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Delilah, it’s not November and it’s not raining, so please stop with the depressing.”

“It might rain later!”

I hope it does. It’s humid, hot and sticky.

“Where’s Ben? You wouldn’t be assaulting our ears if he was here.”

“I don’t know. Band stuff.”

“Do you fancy going into town? We could go and have one la—”

I leapt off the bed and smothered her. “Don’t you dare, say ‘one last something!’”

I may kill you. I may sing Guns N Roses for an entire year.

“Sorry,” she mumbled from under my hand.

Conceding, I let go.

“What were you thinking of doing?” I asked.

“Lilah, I’m too scared to speak. You’re freaking me out!”

I shrugged. I’m taking no prisoners these days and should be wearing a badge which says ‘Approach With Caution.’

“I promise I won’t pounce.” I sat on my hands to prove my point.

“How about we go to your favourite pub and have a glass of wine?” she suggested.

“Maybe we could squeeze in some dancing somewhere?” I agreed hopefully.

“That is a definite. Let’s do it. Come on, Lil. I hate to see you like this.”

“I hate feeling like this, Mer. I truly do.”

She turned to my cupboard, pulling the doors wide, and yanked out my Ben-catching outfit.

“Crap, is it one of those nights?” I asked.

“Yes. It definitely is. Come on. There is a glass of chilled wine calling to us right now.”

11th June

Oh, shit. Ugh, I did it again.