ELEVEN

‘So … what happened last night?’

It was Saturday morning. Allie sat in the quiet common room on the opposite end of a deep leather sofa from Jo. Each wore the same dark blue knee-length shorts and white, short-sleeved shirt, and each held a white mug of tea absentmindedly in her right hand.

They’d headed here together just after breakfast, where Gabe had not joined them.

Jo’s clear blue eyes evaded capture, flitting around the room anxiously before finally coming to rest on Allie. ‘Gabe can be a bit … controlling.’ On the last word her voice was so low Allie leaned in to hear it. After a pause, Jo’s left hand waved the thought away. ‘And I hate that. Sometimes.’

She paused and Allie waited.

‘So.’ Jo sighed. ‘Yesterday he was just acting a bit too much like my dad. Do this, don’t do that. Don’t question me. And if he thinks he can get away with that he’s wrong. And … well, now we’re not speaking. He was in the common room when Carter and I came in …’

She interrupted herself, shooting Allie a worried look. ‘By the way, Carter went back and got you, right?’

Allie nodded. ‘That’s a story too, but let’s talk about this first.’

Jo sipped her tea. ‘Gabe was there, and he was just so up himself. It was all the “I told you not to go out … You should’ve listened” bollocks that makes me just …’ She balled up her right fist and shook it. ‘So I told him what he could do with his advice and went to bed. Haven’t seen him since. I hope you weren’t too freaked out last night. I really didn’t think Carter would leave you alone. That must have been a bit scary – you’ve never been out there at night alone.’

Allie felt a brief desire to blame Jo for her wounded leg, but shoved it back. ‘It was fine. We were worried about you. I … wanted him to go.’

Jo set her cup down on the table and drew her legs up, wrapping her arms around her knees. ‘So what happened after I took off? Were you OK? Carter was totally worried about you and really cross with me for making him leave you alone.’

‘Was he?’ Allie was surprised to hear it – he’d seemed so irritated when he’d come back for her. ‘He did come back. But by then I’d run into Sylvain on the path. And the weirdest thing happened, Jo.’

Allie turned on the sofa so she was facing Jo, and crossed her legs. She lowered her voice to a near-whisper. ‘Sylvain kind of ordered Carter away. He was like, “Go get back to work.” What’s that about? I could tell Carter didn’t want to do it, but he did it anyway.’

Jo rolled her eyes. ‘It’s just some Night School bollocks – Sylvain outranks him, I guess.’

Allie slid down the sofa so that her head rested on the back of it and her legs stretched out towards the table, revealing the clean white bandage.

‘Oh babe, what happened to your knee?’

Allie smiled ruefully. ‘I fell down on the path last night. Like a total klutz.’ She held up her left hand to show the scrape on the palms. ‘Scarred for life.’

‘Oh God, it’s all my fault. I’m so sorry I had a complete flake-out, Allie. Now Gabe’s pissed off and you’re wounded. Jesus. I’m such a mess.’ She looked genuinely contrite.

‘Don’t be silly,’ Allie said. ‘It’s nothing. It barely hurts.’ Then she gasped and buried her face in her hands. ‘Oh God. I can’t believe I haven’t told you yet. Sylvain kissed me.’

‘He did?’ Jo sat up straighter. ‘When? And wherewhyhow?’

Her face still in her hands, Allie’s voice was muffled. ‘And he carried me down the path when my leg hurt.’

‘Oh my God – he so fancies you,’ Jo sighed. ‘That’s the most heroic thing ever. Tell me about the kissing.’

Allie peeked over her fingertips as she told her what happened.

‘And it wasn’t one of those friendly-on-the-cheek things either,’ she concluded. ‘It was a proper kiss. With tongues.’

Jo gave her a joking shove. ‘So? Was it nice?’

‘Yeah, I suppose.’ Allie sank down further into the cushions, her cheeks bright red. ‘OK. Yes. It was definitely very nice.’

‘And don’t you have some sort of date thing tonight?’ Jo nudged her again as Allie nodded. ‘Come to my room after and tell me everything,’ Jo said.

Then she sat up straighter. ‘Hey, that reminds me, the summer ball is in three weeks. Sylvain will probably ask you to go with him tonight! What will you wear? Tell me now.’

She was so irrepressible, Allie had to laugh at her. ‘God, you’re like a child. I don’t know anything about this ball thing. What are you going to wear?’

‘I bought the dress on my last trip home.’ Jo brightened visibly as she described the slim-cut silver sequined minidress and matching sandals she’d found in a boutique in Bond Street.

She gave Allie an appraising look. ‘Have you got a dress?’

Allie squirmed a bit. ‘Well … not exactly. There are a couple in my wardrobe, and one vintage dress that I love. But I don’t know what I’ll do for sho …’

‘You’ll come to my room!’ Jo interrupted her delightedly. ‘I have – God I don’t know – a million pairs of shoes. Problem solved.’ She grabbed Allie’s hand. ‘We can do the whole girls-getting-ready-together thing. We’ll do each other’s hair and makeup. We’ll be gorgeous.’

Allie hesitated, then confessed, ‘Look, I’ve never been to a dance before. Not a real one. I mean, my schools just kind of didn’t do that sort of thing.’

Jo waved her worries away. ‘You’ll love it. It’s old-fashioned, but not … you know, stuffy. Everybody looks beautiful. Even the teachers. You wouldn’t believe how some of them scrub up. It’s really cool. When Sylvain asks you have to say yes.’

Allie, was now nearly flat on the sofa. ‘But what will I do if he doesn’t ask?’

They both sat in silence for a moment, pondering the true horror of potential datelessness.

‘I could always go with Zelazny,’ Allie said finally. ‘He seems nice.’

They both dissolved into laughter.

That night as supper ended, Allie sat in the dining room with Ruth, Lisa and Lucas. Gabe had come to the table to get Jo a few minutes before and they’d all exchanged knowing glances as the two walked away. (‘Massive make-up snogging session ahead,’ Lisa predicted.)

‘I think we should go outside,’ Ruth said. ‘It’s hot in here and it’s such a lovely night. We’ll stay close to the building. We could just sit on the grass and talk.’

Lucas looked doubtful. He opened his mouth but the voice from behind Allie came first.

‘I agree. It’s a good night for croquet, don’t you think?’ Allie turned around to see Sylvain standing behind her.

Lucas looked at him and raised his eyebrow; Sylvain nodded very slightly. Lucas shrugged. ‘OK then. Let’s go.’

When Allie stood up Sylvain reached for her hand and they walked out side by side. He leaned towards her. ‘I think you’ll like it. Croquet seems boring during the day but at night it’s much better.’

His breath tickled her ear and she shivered deliciously. She smiled up at him, then she raced forward coltishly, pulling his hand. ‘Come on then. Don’t dilly-dally.’

He laughed and ran with her. Outside, the others were pulling supplies out of a small storage room near the front door. They all helped to put the wicket hoops in the turf. ‘We need a sixth,’ Lucas pointed out.

‘I’ll go and get Phil,’ Ruth said, hurrying back inside.

Allie saw that Lisa was blushing – she was obviously happy to be Lucas’ partner, but he hadn’t noticed yet. Sylvain interrupted her reverie.

‘While we are waiting for Phil, there is something I need to do.’ His tone was businesslike, and he turned to Allie. ‘Will you come and help me?’

‘Sure.’

He glanced at the other two. ‘We’ll be right back.’

Taking her by the hand he pulled her around the side of the building so quickly she had to run to keep up. When they rounded the corner he stopped.

She looked around puzzledly. ‘Where are we go—’

Without warning, he pushed her up against the stone wall and kissed her hard. In an instant, surprise turned to desire and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and kissed him back. He was, she thought, very good at this – she had never kissed anybody like this in her life and she didn’t want it to end.

When he stopped, they were both panting, and looking into each other’s eyes.

‘I’m sorry. I couldn’t wait one more minute,’ he said breathing heavily, his blue eyes holding hers.

‘Do it again,’ Allie said, pulling insistently on his shoulders.

He smiled. ‘If you insist.’

The second kiss was longer, and if possible, more passionate, as his lips travelled down her neck and his hands tightened on her hips.

‘We should go and join the others,’ he whispered regretfully after a few minutes, his breath warm against her throat. He brushed her swollen lips lightly with his thumb. ‘Although I hate to say it. They’ll be wondering where we are.’

‘Stupid them,’ Allie whispered.

He smiled and stepped back from her, although he still held her hand. ‘Now we shall enjoy the croquet.’

‘Yay,’ Allie said weakly. ‘Croquet.’

As they walked back around the corner she could see that everyone had been waiting for them, including Carter, who was talking to Lucas. His eyes told her that he knew exactly what they’d been doing.

‘Allie! Sylvain,’ his tone was mocking. ‘This is great. What have you been up to?’

Surprised by his aggression, Allie flushed with anger. She thought they’d had a moment out in the woods when they understood each other and maybe they could be friends.

But now Carter seemed worse than ever.

Sylvain pulled her closer. ‘Unfortunately, Carter, our teams are set already. We do not need another player.’

‘I didn’t come to play.’ Carter put the emphasis on the last word. ‘I came to see how Allie was doing after her fall last night.’

Allie could feel everyone’s eyes on her. ‘I … I’m fine, Carter. Thanks.’ She faltered under his gaze which seemed to challenge her, as if she’d done something stupid.

‘That’s great. You do seem much recovered.’ His words dripped sarcasm. ‘Did you hurt your lips too? Or is that from something else?’

Allie’s hand flew up to cover her mouth, as Sylvain took several steps forward.

‘Why are you still here, Carter?’ he asked icily.

Carter stared at him, unflinching. ‘I just wanted to see if what I suspected was true.’

‘Have you seen all you need to see?’ Sylvain’s voice was low and menacing.

‘Hey, everybody,’ Ruth stepped between them. ‘Come on. Stay calm. Let’s not get into something here.’

Carter ignored her. ‘Oh, I’ve seen enough, Sylvain. You know what I’m going to say, right?’

Ruth sighed and stepped out of the way. They were now standing no more than a foot apart, glaring at each other. Allie wrapped her arms around herself.

‘I have no idea what you’re going to say, Carter,’ Sylvain said.

‘Leave Allie alone.’ Carter took another step, bringing him just inches away from Sylvain. ‘You know this is wrong.’

Sylvain smiled pleasantly. ‘Thanks for your advice, Carter. Now I suggest you leave us alone to play our game.’

They stood glaring at each other for another moment, then Carter turned to Allie. ‘Don’t believe anything he tells you. He’s a liar.’

Although she was thoroughly confused, Allie raised her chin defiantly. ‘I don’t need advice from you, Carter. I make my own decisions.’

She saw anger in his eyes, but without another word he stormed off into the woods.

Allie’s hands were shaking. What is wrong with him?

‘Well, that was unpleasant,’ Sylvain said, swinging a mallet casually. ‘Shall we get on with the game? Allie, should we be blue?’ Allie nodded mutely, her head still ringing with Carter’s warning.

When she had a second she grabbed Sylvain’s arm. ‘What was Carter talking about?’ she whispered.

He brushed her hair back from her forehead. ‘I think he fancies you, ma belle. Perhaps he is jealous.’

As he walked off to take his shot she frowned. Maybe he was trying to scare me away from Sylvain. But, given how he talked to her, it was hard to believe Carter fancied her at all.

She couldn’t imagine the evening being anything other than miserable after that, but in the end, it had been kind of fun. The hoops were treated with light-absorbing paint, which meant that, the darker it became, the more they glowed. The mallets had LED lights that you activated by clicking a button on the handle. The balls glowed whatever colour they were painted. This made the lawn gradually more colourful as darkness fell. In the end, they could hardly see one another, but they could follow each other’s movements through the lighted mallets and rolling coloured balls.

Ruth was very good, and showed Allie techniques to keep the ball moving in a straight line. When Allie managed to knock one of Phil’s balls off the playing area, Ruth laughed.

‘I’ve taught you too well!’

By the time the game was over and they began putting the equipment away, Allie found that she was laughing with Ruth and leaning comfortably against Sylvain, who had draped his arm casually across her shoulders. He caught her eye and she felt a tingling sensation of anticipation.

‘You have the most beautiful eyes,’ he said. ‘They are translucent, like your soul.’

Turning, he said good night to the others and whispered in her ear: ‘Walk with me?’

She nodded eagerly, her throat tightening.

They walked through the dusk around the back of the school. Near the back door he stopped and pulled her into his arms. He spoke softly, ‘I’ve had a lovely evening, Allie. I’m glad Carter didn’t upset you too much. He just wants you for himself.’

While Allie doubted his assessment she didn’t let it show on her face. She smiled at him. ‘I had a good time too.’

And she had, despite everything.

Then he pulled her close and nuzzled her neck before lifting his mouth to hers, and Allie felt all her concerns melt away. He could do the most amazing things with his lips. Her heart pounded and her breath came in short gasps as he kissed her ears, licking her earlobes delicately. Reaching her arms up, she twisted her wrists behind his head.

When Zelazny shouted ‘Curfew!’ from the back door a few minutes later, Sylvain lifted his head regretfully.

Allie wasn’t ready for him to stop. ‘Do it again,’ she insisted.

He smiled, his hands warm on her waist. ‘It’s curfew. We have to get inside.’

‘One more time?’

Tantalisingly he leaned over. She lifted her face and parted her lips in anticipation, but he pecked her quickly on the cheek. ‘Inside, young lady, before you get detention.’

‘Curfew!’ Zelazny shouted again. ‘Last call!’

Sylvain draped his arm possessively over her shoulders. As they joined the crowd at the door they passed Katie and Jules. When Allie saw the venom in Katie’s expression she smiled at her beatifically.

Allie: one, Katie: nil.