Page 52 of Lessons in Love

“Oh yeah. Every year these two convince someone else to partner with them for the dodge ‘em cars. Usually ends with tears. Or blood. Or both.”

Eden nudges me with an elbow and grins. “Guess who’s riding with me this year.”

The local football grounds have been transformed into a glittery, colourful showground. Screams echo from the rides as the scent of deep-fried food hits my nose. Eden grabs my hand as soon as we hop out of the car and drags me towards the entry. She throws a couple of gold coins into the donation box then we’re off and racing.

“I have to show you my favourite stall! Mum won’t need help for a couple of hours.” We duck and weave through the holiday makers and what could possibly be thousands of children. Eden looks carefree, nothing like the nervous girl yesterday in town. I decide not to dwell on that too much. Maybe she knows he won’t be here? Maybe she just doesn’t care anymore?

We skid to a stop in front of the laughing clowns. There are four heads, each turning slowly with a creepy grin on their faces.

“One game, please.” Eden hands the money over to the stall keeper and hands me five balls. “Watch and learn.”

She throws one straight in with perfect accuracy and the smile she shoots me as she turns around makes my breath hitch. Her face is flushed, dark hair escaping the bun she put it in in the car. A dash of lip gloss makes her mouth look even more appealing. I wonder if it’ll be as warm as this morning.

“Oliver, come on! I’m on a time limit!”

I’m shocked out of my daydreaming as she takes a ball out of my hands and launches it into the waiting mouth. And again. And again. By the end a small crowd had formed and they cheer with her as she sinks the final ball. She laughs as the stall keeper congratulates her and asks what prize she wants.

“Oliver! Which one do you want?”

“I get to pick?”

“Of course you do! My gift to you for putting up with my family. Oh! And for beating Jake on the dodge ‘em cars.”

“But we haven’t won yet.”

“Not with that attitude! Pick a prize!”

Laughing, I point at the obnoxiously large cat with a shelled prawn on its back. The stall keeper grabs it down and it falls into my arms.

“What are we going to name it?” I ask.

“Greg.” The bluntness of her assertion draws a laugh out of me.

“Greg? Seriously?” We wander over to her family, still bickering about name choices. “It’s a sushi cat. Can’t we think of something more creative?”

She gasps, hand on chest. “How could you be so cruel? Greg is a perfectly creative name. You need to apologise to all the Greg’s out there.”

“What are you two arguing about now?” Evelyn asks as soon as we get close enough.

“How much they suck at dodge ‘em cars,” Jake pipes up, arms crossed.

“Mum. Look after Greg. Things are about to get messy.”

Evelyn shoots me a smirk as she takes the soft toy. I know he’ll be safe closer to the art exhibition than the rides.

I don’t stop to think about the physical danger I’m about to be placed in. If I had stopped, it would mean I wouldn’t be following Eden right now.

I’m grateful for the midday sun, I realise, as I watch her strut away in that floral mini dress. Her high-top sneakers pound the dirt as she makes her way to the dodge ‘em cars, her hips swaying in a mesmerising way.

I send a prayer up. It’s all neon lights and a pumping techno soundtrack, punctuated by screams of joy. At least I hope they’re from joy. Right? Right?

Jake trails behind us and kicks a rock, reminding me of his presence.

“Who are you riding with?” I ask him. Eden pauses before looking back at me.

“There’s a pretty girl up there, Jakey. Why don’t you ask her?”

There’s a dark-haired girl with stunning blue eyes who watches us with a bemused expression on her face standing near a hot dog van. She can’t be more than seventeen, and a gentle smile crosses her face as Jake looks up to her.