The Winter Wedding by Abby Clements

Author:Abby Clements [Clements, Abby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471137020
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Chapter 17

I rearranged the photos on my dresser, and tidied the cushions on my bed for the dozenth time – putting the one with the fox design on top. My mind had been buzzing for the last couple of hours. Imagining what it would be like to see Sam again, properly, like this, and hoping that I would be able to hide my feelings somehow.

I checked the clock – 7 p.m. He was due any minute. I felt as if I was a teenager again, as if I’d learned nothing between then and now that would equip me for this . . . whatever it was – encounter.

Amber put her head around my bedroom door. ‘Still waiting?’

‘I’m not waiting,’ I said. ‘I’m just here, in my home, and my friend’s about to arrive. I’m not exactly going to go anywhere, am I?’

‘OK, touchy,’ Amber said.

She was right, I’d overreacted. I was blowing this whole thing way out of proportion already. ‘I’m sorry. What was it you wanted to say?’

‘I’ve thrown together some chilli con carne, and made a massive batch, so I just wondered if you guys wanted to join me.’

Perhaps Sam and I could go out after dinner, instead. ‘That would be great,’ I said.

The doorbell rang, and my heart jumped a little. I glanced over to the mirror and gave my appearance a final check, then headed downstairs.

‘Hey you,’ Sam said, as I answered the door. He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. I hugged him and took in the familiar scent, coconut.

‘Come on in,’ I said.

He had a sports bag slung over his shoulder, and brought that up with him.

‘Do you fancy having dinner here first? I mean, I know you probably want to get out and see some of east London, but Amber’s cooked and . . .’

‘Eating in would be great. We’ve got plenty of time to explore.’

‘Cool,’ I said. I was acting weird, and I couldn’t stop it. It felt like the harder I tried to act just like I always had with Sam, the more I ended up stumbling over my words. We went into the flat and Amber was standing in the kitchen.

‘Amber, Sam, Sam, Amber,’ I said quickly. ‘You guys remember each other from Lila’s wedding, right?’

‘Yeah, I think we met,’ Sam said, nonchalant to the point of being slightly off-hand. I looked over at Amber, hoping she wouldn’t take it the wrong way.

‘Sam!’ Amber said. ‘Yes, of course we did.’ She smiled brightly in welcome, combating his reserved manner with cheer. Good old Amber, I thought. It would take more than a little unfriendliness to dent her positivity.

‘I hope you’re hungry,’ she went on. ‘I’ve made the most enormous vat of chilli, and I’m certainly not going to be able to eat it all myself. Or at least I think I probably shouldn’t.’

He looked into the pot curiously, and smiled his appreciation. ‘Smells good,’ he said.

‘Beer?’ I asked. They both nodded, and I got three cold Tiger beers from the fridge and cracked them open.

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