For my own good

Manx and I walk up behind Angelo

who’s holding the esky.

He turns and sees Manx,

puts the esky down

and takes a few steps back

so the bonfire is between us.

Manx opens the lid

and pulls out our share.

Patrick and Harriet sit beside the fire

and ignore us.

I’m sure Patrick isn’t telling anyone about his dad

being decked by a schoolboy.

We walk away

and set up camp on the grass,

away from the smell of Angelo

wearing too much aftershave.

Manx hands me a beer.

I glance across to Ella

sitting in her usual spot.

She’s staring across the lake

and doing her best to ignore

the vodka-fuelled giggles.

Manx takes the bottle from me

before I have a chance to open it.

I look at him questioningly,

and he says, ‘It’s now or never.’

He opens the bottle and takes a sip

looking across at the bonfire.

‘I’ll keep watch,

just in case Angelo or Patrick

step too close to the flame.’

We both laugh.

Manx flicks his head towards Ella.

I’m dismissed, for my own good.

I reach down, take a bottle from our stash

and walk slowly towards her.

I’m not scared.

Not much.