10 #3
‘Maybe you’d enjoy it more with a jacket. Here, take mine,’ he says, continuing towards me as he pulls off the Topaz ski staff jacket he’s wearing.
‘No, no, it’s fine, I’m fine.’
I shake my head and protest because I literally have a jacket inside, but I realise it’s useless when he reaches behind me, balancing the unzipped jacket on my shoulders before pulling the two sides together at the front so they surround me.
The sleeves hang over my arms and I’m drowning slightly in the fabric, which is unsurprising given he’s about a foot taller than me, and I get a flashback to how I looked in his bathroom mirror the first time I tried on a piece of his clothing.
‘You really didn’t need to do that. Especially since we both know I have a bad track record with returning your clothes.’
I picture that black T-shirt, which is currently sitting in a drawer in mine and Tilly’s room at the chalet. I mindlessly threw the shirt into my suitcase with no clue its owner would be on the same mountain as me. Or maybe not so mindlessly. It is comfy. And it smells nice.
‘I’d say you can have the jacket, it can keep my T-shirt company, but unfortunately, I will need this one back for events later in the week. But keep it for tonight. Wouldn’t want you catching a chill and missing class tomorrow. You can give it back to me then.’
His tone goes up at the end, almost like it’s a question.
‘That is, if you’re still comfortable with the class situation. I know you said you were, but if you change your mind, I understand.’
‘I won’t change my mind,’ I say, shifting my shoulders and liking the way his jacket drapes further over me.
‘Okay, tomorrow it is then,’ he says, nodding as a small smile flits across his face.
‘Tomorrow,’ I say, trying to calm the way my heart flutters as I realise how excited I am.
Someone walks out of the après bar and a wave of laughter rolls out of the doorway and reminds me of my friends who I’ve left inside.
For a moment I’d forgotten that we weren’t back on a street corner in Clapham. That it isn’t only the two of us. I think Rory might’ve felt the same as he groans, ‘I really need to get back, I’m doing a round later and Tori’s probably freaking out about where I’ve disappeared to.’
‘Oh god, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you,’ I say, gesturing back towards the bar. ‘You should definitely go, I’ll…’ I look down at my feet where they stay planted on the pavement, unwilling to move at the thought of going back in.
I don’t want the others to worry about me, but I equally don’t want to face what could be waiting for me inside. Especially if I go in wearing this jacket.
‘I’ll stay here for a while.’
Somehow, when Rory takes in my appearance, he puts the pieces together as to why I fled, and why I’m not yet ready to face going back in.
‘So, that was the ex, huh?’
I shrug. ‘Don’t make him sound famous, it’ll go straight to his head.’
He scoffs, pausing to consider something before he starts to take slow steps backwards.
‘Wait here,’ he says, watching me until he reaches the entrance and disappears inside. I do as he says, left out here alone as the snow continues to fall. I get lost in the rhythm of it, feeling peaceful now it’s not soaking me. Then Rory’s head pops out from the side of the door.
‘Coast is clear,’ he calls out, before reaching one hand in my direction. ‘Not a twat-head in sight, if I’m remembering your description of him correctly.’
I don’t move for a second, shocked that he remembers me saying that when I barely do.
I worry about where Adam might’ve gone to, picturing him getting lost walking around alone in the snow, but I know Lucas will have had the same worries and wouldn’t have let him go if he hadn’t promised to keep his phone on.
Besides, I think the space will be good for everyone, and he always does like to walk when he’s working through something.
Before I know it, I find myself moving back towards the building, only stopping when I reach the doorway where Rory’s body partially blocks my entry. I tilt my head up at him.
‘I can’t believe you remember that, and now I’m worried about what else I could’ve said that your weirdly good memory has tucked away somewhere in there.’ I press the tip of my finger against his forehead and he leans into it. He nods his head towards the clamour inside.
‘Why don’t you come back in for the quiz and you might find out?’
With those final words, he disappears into the crowd, leaving me mulling over that mysterious statement.
But any feelings of dread are far overshadowed by the giddiness in the bottom of my stomach.
I walk back towards where my friends remain seated, Adam’s stool noticeably unoccupied.
At least it means I don’t have to worry about the jacket, which Tilly’s beady eyes take in as soon as I sit down, and I wonder what Rory’s last words could mean.
It doesn’t take long for me to find out though, when the next quiz round – his round – is announced.
Lo and behold, it’s none other than musicals.