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  ‘Steady on! That’s potent stuff!’

  I batted him on the arm. ‘You could have told me that before!’ I said, once my throat returned to normal.

  ‘I thought I did. I said it was legendary.’

  ‘That could mean anything!’

  ‘Sorry.’ He laughed. ‘I’ll remember that you need specifics next time.’

  ‘Isn’t that your job? Accurate descriptions?’

  ‘Absolutely. My apologies, normally I’m very—’

  I cut him off. ‘If you’re about to say you’re very good at taking down particulars I’m going to make you drink that entire bowl of punch.’

  ‘You realise that would probably kill me!’ His smile was wide as his eyes danced with mirth.

  I took another sip from my own glass. ‘I think you’re probably right.’

  ‘Come on, let’s get you something else that you prefer,’ Alex said, reaching to take my glass.

  I moved it away from him. ‘I didn’t say I didn’t like it.’

  Alex was close to me, having leant in for the glass, which I was now holding out behind me.

  ‘Told you. Legendary,’ he said, his voice softer, his gaze drifting over my face until his eyes locked back onto mine.

  ‘You’re flirting.’

  ‘You’re beautiful. It’s hard not to.’

  ‘Thought you two had got lost.’ Charlie’s voice came from close by.

  Alex stepped back and I suddenly realised I’d been leaning backwards a tiny bit more than I thought. Oh, dear. This wasn’t going to end well. I felt myself tipping. I closed my eyes and hoped for the best, making a point to resist grabbing at the tablecloth and pulling everything on top of me. And then I stopped falling. I opened one eye. Charlie was looking down at me, his arms wrapped tight around my body.

  ‘How many of those did you have?’

  I pushed myself up and away, a little indignant. ‘I’ve only had a couple of sips. I just lost my balance. I’m not drunk, Charlie!’

  ‘I didn’t mean it like that. I just… I should have warned you. That’s all I meant. I didn’t think you were drunk. I just know you can be a bit clumsy,’ he explained.

  I raised my eyebrows at him. ‘Thanks. I think.’

  He gave me a look and I immediately felt bad.

  ‘Thank you. For catching me.’

  ‘No problem.’

  ‘You can always chuck a bit of lemonade in the punch to water it down if you like.’

  ‘That’s probably a good idea.’

  ‘Do you not drink?’ Alex asked, concern in his voice. ‘I’m sorry, Charlie. I didn’t know she didn’t do alcohol.’

  ‘Hello! Still here!’ I piped up. ‘And yes, I do drink alcohol. I’m just a bit rubbish at it.’

  ‘Why didn’t you say?’

  ‘Because I didn’t realise the punch was 98 per cent proof before I tried it! Although now I’ll know to avoid anything you tell me is legendary.’

  ‘Well, I wouldn’t go that far,’ Alex said.

  I looked up and his eyes were twinkling with mischief. I rolled my own at him, but I couldn’t help a hint of a smile breaking through.

  ‘Dad’s starting to serve the food,’ Charlie said, breaking the moment.

  ‘Oh, great. Some food would be perfect,’ I said, turning to him. I stopped as I caught sight of the expression on his face. He met my eyes, smiled and it had gone.

  ‘Come on. Let’s get some food inside you. And, as for you,’ he said, turning to Alex, ‘you’re a bad influence. She was fine before you got here. Honestly, upstanding member of the community, my arse. Get out there, troublemaker,’ he said, rolling his eyes at his mate. Alex laughed, and made to step past us.

  ‘You all right?’ he asked, stopping briefly and touching my arm.

  ‘Oh, God, yes! I’m fine. Please stop making a fuss, both of you. I already feel enough of an idiot. Now go! Get food!’

  ‘No need to ask me twice.’ He gave a quick squeeze on my arm and stepped back out into the sun.

  Charlie stood aside so that I could go next.

  I made a move to do so, then stopped, that odd, fleeting expression I’d seen on his face replaying in my mind. ‘Charlie, is everything OK?’

  He frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘A few minutes ago, I just… you looked…’ I wasn’t quite sure how to explain it. Charlie tilted his head, waiting for me to go on. Seeing that I was faltering, he stepped in.

  ‘Everything’s fine, Libby. I was just concerned about you for a minute.’

  ‘Because you thought Alex was trying to get me drunk?’

  ‘No, of course not. He wouldn’t do that. Despite what I said just now, he really is a good bloke. I’d trust him with my life.’ He paused. ‘With… most things, really.’ His vivid blue eyes met mine, complete honesty laid before me.

  ‘I was just worried that you were thinking… something.’

  His lips quirked. ‘Nope. Not a thing.’

  ‘Right. That’s OK, then,’ I said, still feeling a little unconvinced, but of what, exactly, I couldn’t put my finger on.

  ‘Good.’ He looked at me. ‘Are you ready to get some food now?’

  ‘Yes! Most definitely.’ That was pretty much the only thing I was sure about right now.

  17

  I’d found a spot near the end of the garden and was peacefully watching the sun set over the Downs. Marcus and Amy had been getting cosy and I was beginning to feel more and more like a gooseberry, until I’d finally made an excuse and left them to it. I’m not entirely sure they’d noticed I was gone, which was fine with me. I was so pleased to see Amy this happy. Marcus was obviously smitten and clearly good for her.

  ‘Hello again,’ a deep voice said quietly.

  I looked to my side to find Alex standing there, the setting sun casting a warm glow on his tanned skin.

  ‘Hello.’ I smiled, before turning back to the view. ‘It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?’

  ‘It certainly is.’

  I glanced over to smile at his agreement only to find he was looking directly at me, and not the view.

  ‘Oh, very smooth.’

  He grinned. ‘Actually, that came out way more cheesy than it was meant to.’

  ‘At least it’s reassuring to know that you didn’t intend to be that cheesy. Although, frankly, it was still a total cheese fest.’

  ‘I can’t argue with that. As much as I’d really, really like to.’ He leant on the fence. ‘It is a great view, though.’

  The sun was dipping below the horizon now and twinkling white fairy lights were swathed around every available tree and surface in the garden, lending it a magical air. I turned back to admire it in the gathering twilight.

  ‘So, the Richmonds do this every year?’

  Alex turned too and leant against the three-bar fence that separated the end of the garden from the fields, and the view beyond. ‘They do. For as long as I can remember, which, bearing in mind I’ve known Charlie since primary school, is a pretty long time. Luckily for his mum, we take less supervision now.’

  ‘That’s debatable.’

  He laughed, before taking a sip from his beer bottle.

  ‘It’s lovely that you’ve stayed friends for so long. It’s easy to lose touch with people, especially when you go in different directions.’

  ‘You’re referring to that fact I don’t earn shedloads in the City.’

  I turned quickly. ‘No! Honestly, I just meant that life easily gets in the way. And with Charlie’s travelling and you – I assume – doing shifts, it’s just really nice that you’ve managed to stay such good friends.’

  ‘I know you didn’t mean it like that.’ Alex touched my arm in reassurance. ‘I’m just teasing you. And yeah, I’m really pleased we have too. Charlie’s a great bloke. One of those people who you know would do anything for you.’

  ‘The kind of friend who’d help you move a body!’ I laughed, then stopped abruptly. ‘Oh, God. That was just a figure of speech, you
know that, right?’ Alex took a swig from his bottle of beer and raised an eyebrow at me in a ‘maybe yes maybe no’ kind of way. ‘Argh! Do you always have this effect on people?’

  ‘No. Not generally.’

  ‘Great, it’s just me, then.’ I’d had a couple more glasses of punch and was beginning to think I shouldn’t have. Even watered down it was having an effect on me. ‘Maybe I should just stop talking to you.’

  ‘I’d rather you didn’t,’ he said.

  I gave a hesitant look up through my lashes, pretty sure that he was teasing again. But his eyes this time were more serious. ‘I’d actually really like to talk to you a lot more.’

  ‘Oh!’ I replied, eloquently and full of wit.

  ‘Is that a good “oh” or a bad “oh”?’ Alex asked, smiling. ‘It’s a little hard to tell.’

  ‘I think it’s more of a surprised “oh”, to tell you the truth.’

  ‘OK, then. Well, so long as it’s not a bad “oh”, we can work with it.’

  I giggled. Too much punch. Definitely.

  ‘Sorry. I’m rubbish at drinking.’

  ‘It’s fine. You’re not drunk.’ He bent and looked into my eyes. ‘You’re not drunk, are you?’ His voice suddenly a little more serious.

  ‘No, I’m not!’ I said, and gave him a playful push in the chest. My hand hit solid muscle and tingled with the heat from his body. I shoved my hand behind my back. ‘Bloomin’ cheek.’

  ‘I just wanted to check. I mean, you don’t look drunk. Believe me. Some of the sights we see on patrol in the city, especially Friday and Saturday nights. Honestly, you look like a nun compared to them.’

  ‘Wow. Comparisons to a nun. Just what every girl dreams of.’

  Alex laughed and caught the hand I had now returned to resting on the top rail of the fence.

  ‘I apologise. You are most certainly not like a nun. Not at all.’

  ‘You know you’re making it worse now, don’t you?’

  ‘I am actually beginning to realise that.’

  ‘Should I be asking if you’re drunk, Officer?’

  He smiled at the tease. ‘Want me to do a sobriety test?’

  ‘It could be worth it for amusement purposes alone.’

  ‘OK. Hold up some fingers.’

  I held up three. ‘How many fingers am I holding up?’

  Alex took my hand and made a big show of counting out my raised fingers, one by one.

  ‘I believe that’s cheating.’

  ‘I believe you’re right.’

  ‘You are drunk,’ I said.

  ‘Not at all,’ Alex replied. ‘I’m over the limit for driving, yes, but I’m still in full control of my faculties and know exactly what I’m doing.’

  His gaze drifted over my face. His hand still held mine from his counting stunt and he took a step nearer. I could feel the heat from his body. I shivered as it collided with the cooling night air.

  ‘Are you cold?’ he asked, concern in his voice.

  ‘No. I’m fine. Really.’

  Although now he mentioned it…

  He placed his hands on my upper arms and I could feel the contrast between the warmth of his skin and coolness of mine.

  ‘You’re not supposed to lie to the police, you know,’ he said, his voice soft as he dipped down close to my ear. ‘Come on, let’s go and get you a blanket or something.’

  ‘I have a wrap with me. It’s up there.’ I nodded further up the garden.

  ‘Let’s find it, then. In the meantime, try not to freeze on me.’

  I laughed. ‘I don’t think I’m in too much danger of that.’

  His eyes flashed at me. ‘Well, that’s good to know.’

  I opened my mouth to explain that wasn’t what I’d meant but closed it again. Who cared? And maybe that had been exactly what I’d meant. Only I hadn’t realised it until now.

  ‘Best to huddle up for a minute until we find your wrap. You know. Just in case.’

  ‘To be on the safe side?’ I smiled at him.

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘Well, you’re the one who’s used to taking charge in crisis situations, so I’ll bow to your expert knowledge in this case.’

  ‘I think that’s a wise decision,’ Alex replied, his face serious but his eyes dancing with mischief. He put an arm around me and pulled me in close, the heat from his body transferring to mine in more ways than I’d expected. ‘Better?’

  ‘Um hmm,’ I replied, unable to formulate anything more complex than that right now.

  ‘Good. Let’s go and find the others and get you warmed up.’

  Warming up right now was definitely not an issue.

  I could guess at the knowing smile on Amy’s face even before we got close to them. We’d known each other long enough for me to know exactly what her response would be to seeing Alex’s arm resting casually at my waist.

  ‘What did we miss?’ Alex asked.

  Marcus raised an eyebrow. ‘Not much.’ I saw his gaze flick from Alex’s face to Charlie – a brief, almost imperceptible look. But I caught it. Talking of missing things, had I missed something here? No, of course I hadn’t… had I? Suddenly I felt hot and uncomfortable. I bent down and made a show of fiddling with the ankle strap on my sandal, an action that forced Alex’s arm to fall away from me. Returning to an upright position, I made an apparently casual glance in Charlie’s direction. He was listening to something Alex was saying but as I looked at him his glance drifted and caught mine. He smiled at me, a moment of hesitation in the action.

  ‘Everything all right?’ he asked, moving a step away from the others and glancing down at my shoe.

  ‘Oh, yep. I think I just had it on the wrong hole. Felt a bit slippy. You know.’ It hadn’t at all and I had no idea why, after feeling completely relaxed with him for the last few months, I was now acting like an awkward teenager.

  ‘It’s a lovely party,’ I offered, when Charlie didn’t say anything else.

  ‘Glad you’re enjoying it.’ He smiled again. His gaze stayed on me. There was no flick to Alex as there had been from Marcus, or secret smile like Amy. I didn’t know what to make of that. Or whether I should even be making anything of it at all! I let out a sigh. This! This was exactly the reason I didn’t drink much. My brain was far too easily addled by alcohol.

  ‘Are you all right?’ Charlie said, his smile replaced with concern. ‘You’ve gone a little pale.’

  I gave him a look.

  ‘OK. Paler than usual.’

  ‘I think I’m just a little tired.’

  ‘Do you want me to call you a taxi?’

  ‘No. It’s all right. I’ll wait until we all go. I don’t want to be accused of being a party pooper.’

  Charlie let out a laugh. From the corner of my eye, I saw the others glance round. ‘I don’t think anyone could ever accuse you of being that, Libs.’

  ‘That’s a nice thing to say. I think.’

  ‘It was a compliment, don’t worry. I just meant that you’re always fun. Bubbly. Definitely not a party pooper.’

  ‘What do you say, Charlie?’ Alex’s voice pulled us back into their conversation.

  ‘Sorry?’

  Alex proceeded to explain that an off-road biking session had been arranged for tomorrow morning and Charlie was now taking part.

  ‘Oh. Yes. OK. Right. Sounds good.’

  I kept my eyes down.

  ‘Oh, wait! No, I can’t. I’m sorry. I promised Libby I’d take some photos for her blog tomorrow.’

  ‘OK. Never mind. Another time.’ Alex smiled, his gaze taking both of us in. I didn’t know him well enough to read anything into his expression. If there was even anything to read into it. Oh, God, I really was getting myself in a mess here.

  ‘You should go, Charlie. It’ll be fun. There’s no hurry for the blog pictures. Go biking.’

  ‘No, honestly. You and I arranged this ages ago. I can’t guarantee when I’m going to be around to do it again, with the various business trips I’ve got c
oming up.’

  ‘Even more reason why you should go biking, then. In fact, I insist. If you come to the flat tomorrow, I’m not going to let you in.’ I tilted my chin up at him in defiance.

  He shook his head at me, a mixture of amusement and something else I couldn’t quite place on his face.

  ‘OK. I will risk life and limb and go mountain biking with these two muppets instead, then. Happy now?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I’ll call you and we’ll rearrange the photography thing.’

  ‘Perfect.’

  ‘So, you’ve been doing some more photography then, mate?’ Alex asked, ‘That’s great!’

  Charlie nodded. ‘Yes. It’s been for a peaceful life more than anything else, to be honest. Libby wouldn’t let up about it. I even have a blog now.’

  ‘You do? That’s excellent!’ Alex turned to me. ‘I’m glad you’ve been on at him about it. I’ve been trying to get him to do more about it for years. He’s too good for people not to see his stuff. Who knew all it would take is a pretty face?’ Alex winked.

  ‘That wasn’t all it took,’ Charlie stated.

  Alex raised an eyebrow and grinned. ‘Well, no wonder I never got anywhere with getting you off your arse about it. I love you, mate, but there are certain things that—’

  ‘No! I didn’t mean… that.’ Even in the half-light, the flush around Charlie’s neck was visible. ‘I just meant that Libby can be quite determined when she wants to be.’ He glanced over and caught sight of my raised eyebrow. ‘In a good way. Obviously.’

  ‘Obviously,’ I repeated, one brow still raised.

  ‘Definitely.’

  I gave him a look under my lashes. ‘Thanks. I’m glad that nagging you until you do something just for a peaceful life can be done “in a good way”.’

  I was pretending to be in a huff, but I wasn’t at all. And he knew it. Charlie had been thrilled about his blog and he was starting to get some great comments on it. The fact that he’d texted me at half past five in the morning on the day he got his first comment on a post was testament to that. We both knew he was just teasing.

  ‘Of course. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have got the commission that I got yesterday.’