Closer (16 page)

It's four o'clock before we know it, and time to get back. I don't want to go, I want to live in Hannah's house and meet all her friends and have her life. But there's mine to live. 

On the way home I fall asleep on the train, and wake up to hear a text coming through. It's from Raj. 

CU at the station. 

I wasn't expecting him to meet me. The train's already at Market Harborough, so it's almost home. When I get off the train, he's there with this big bunch of flowers he's bought from the market. You can hardly see him behind it. 

We put them down on a bench and he holds me tight. That's all I need. To know he's there with me, after everything. 

“I'm taking you out for dinner. Then tomorrow Mum's going to give us both chapatti lessons. I told her, equal opportunities.” 

We head for home so I can change. I know everything has changed, and there's more to come. Dad may be able to come home, but we won't be sure of that for a couple of years. Mum is working less, and we've been doing some stuff together. George will get over it. I'll be sixteen soon. 

Raj holds my hand and I'm carrying the flowers, we're walking down London Road, and a rush of happiness hits me in my stomach. I stop and we kiss, not caring about the flowers squashed between us. The scent comes up through the kiss, making us both sneeze at once and let go of each other. 

“Let's go,” I say, heading for home.