We went out of the shop, found a bench and ate our fish and chips in a companiable silence.
‘You know one thing I like about you,’ he said as I ate my last chip. ‘You enjoy your food.There are so many girls who are so picky about what they can and can’t eat, always on a diet. Not a lot of fun.’
‘Well you’ve picked all my favourites today,’ I said, glancing at my watch,‘so I couldn’t resist. And I was starving and, oh, it’s late. I’d better be getting home. I promised I’d be back around now.’
‘I’ll walk you home,’ he said. We got up, put our chip papers into a bin and set off in the direction of where I lived. As we did, he casually took my hand. ‘One thing I didn’t ask you,’ he said. ‘Um. Do you have a boyfriend?’
‘Not at the moment. Do you have a girlfriend?’
‘No,’ he replied, and he tucked my hand into his arm. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. ‘Do you think it was fate bringing us together that day you got mugged?’
‘Maybe, but I wish it had chosen a less violent way – like we could always have met in the queue at Costa.’
‘Ah, but we might have never spoken to each other so something good came from it, and we missed each other on that beach in St Lucia,’ he said and he smiled a big smile.
I squeezed his arm to let him know that I agreed.
When we got to the corner of my road, he came to a stop, turned to me and put his hand gently under my chin tilting my face up to look at him. As he gazed down into my eyes, I felt a warm rush in my stomach and, when his lips touched mine a moment later, it felt completely right and comfortable. I kissed him back and when we seperated, we were both smiling at each other.
He made a half nod. ‘Nice,’ he said.
‘Very,’ I replied, and then we both stood there grinning like idiots because neither of us could think of anything else to say. And then he laughed and said, ‘Let’s do that again.’ He leaned forward and kissed me again, a longer kiss and it felt even better. Like we were made to kiss each other.
In the middle of our third snog, I felt someone tugging on the back of my jacket and turned to see Dylan standing behind me. ‘And who’s this?’ he asked in a funny, prim manner.
‘Dylan!’ I groaned.
‘Yes. So who is this?’
‘None of your business. Clear off,’ I said.
Tyler laughed.‘The name’s Tyler.You must be India’s brother.’
‘Yes he is,’ I said. ‘My very annoying little brother.’
Dylan shook his hand. ‘Oh yeah. I should have known. Good to meet you,Tyler.You’re the one who helped India the day she got mugged, aren’t you?’
Tyler nodded.
Dylan looked back at me. ‘We all try to look after her you know.’
I gave him a gentle shove. ‘That’s very sweet of you. Now push off.‘
Dylan hovered close by. ‘It’s late and you’ve been gone ages.’
‘So? What’s it to you?’ I asked and turned back to Tyler. ‘Dylan might look like my brother but he’s actually my prison warder.’
‘I see. In that case, I’d better be going,’ said Tyler and he turned to Dylan and gave him a salute.‘Over to you, sir,’ he said, then he turned back to me, kissed me lightly on the forehead and set off down the road.
I felt like I was smiling inside and out. Apart from my irritating brother, it had been the perfect day and the perfect date.
On Tuesday after school, I met Joe in Costa. He looked pleased to see me but slightly awkward.
‘Hi,’ he said. ‘I wasn’t sure that you’d come.’
‘Why wouldn’t I?’ I asked.
He shrugged. ‘Last time we spoke, you seemed a bit . . . well . . .’
‘Pissed off with you? I guess I was. I was fed up with boys and not ever knowing where I stand.’
Joe pulled a package out of his bag. ‘This is for you. It’s some music that I like. A compilation. Says a few of the things that go on in my mad head.’
I took the CD and felt touched that he’d made it for me specially. ‘Thanks.’
As we looked into each other’s eyes, all the usual feelings I had for him came back and, unlike last time, I didn’t shut them out. A part of me felt bad. Only a couple of days before, I’d been looking into Tyler’s eyes, but I quickly let his image go. Relax, I told myself. I haven’t made any promises to anyone. It’s early days with Tyler and Bruno. I am doing what Erin told me to, going with the flow.
‘Are you OK?’ asked Joe. ‘You look worried about something.’
‘Me? No. Not really. No. Usual stuff.‘
‘Yeah, school. The show. But it’s all looking good, isn’t it?’
‘It’s looking great,’ I replied.
Joe smiled. ‘Remember what a hard time the scenery team gave you when you were first appointed as leader?’
‘God yeah. Andrea Ward hated me.’
‘Only because she’s a control freak and thought that the scenery was her baby. I think she rates you now.’
‘Really?’
Yeah. Well you’re good at art. You have a talent and you’ve pulled the team together. I wanted to say that on the night, though, we boys can handle the scenery changes and you girls can sit out front.’
‘I don’t mind helping shift stuff.‘
‘Too many people backstage if the whole team is there. We’ll be fine.You sit and enjoy the show.You’ve done your bit. Hey, I’m starving. Fancy a pizza?’
‘Urn . . . yeah, OK.’
We got our things, went over the road and bought a pizza to share. As we ate it, we chatted about school and had a laugh at various bits of gossip about the show and it felt so good to be with him, like we’d been the best of friends for ever and could talk about anything. It was like he got me. After we’d finished eating, it began to rain. But not just rain, this was torrential and neither of us had an umbrella. He grabbed my hand and we ran down the pavement, and into a shop doorway to take shelter. It was raining so hard that it was splashing up from the pavement and streams of water were flowing down the road into the drains as lightning flashed and thunder boomed overhead. It made me laugh as we were both soaked with rain dripping off our faces.
‘God, I must look a sight,’ I said, trying to brush my wet hair away from my face.
Joe glanced over. He looked gorgeous with his hair slicked back, his face shiny from the rain and water droplets on his eyelashes. He gently pushed me back against the shop door and looked into my eyes – and I knew we were both feeling the same. It was amazing, like bubble bursts of sweetness exploding inside me. We leaned forward at the same time and fell into a passionate kiss that seemed to go on for ever.Then Joe pulled me out of the doorway right into the rain and kissed me again, and it felt exhilarating to be there, getting soaked through and yet feeling the warmth of his body pressing into mine. When we drew apart, we seemed out of breath then we started laughing and laughing.
‘I’d better get you home,’ he said and took my hand. We ran almost all the way home. At the same corner of the street where I’d stood with Tyler, Joe kissed me again and the sensation he caused in me went from the tip of my toes to the top of my head.
‘You’d better go home too,’ I said. ‘You’re getting soaked as well.’
He grinned. ‘It’s been worth it,’ he said, but he did go when I pushed him gently away. As I turned to go into the pathway that led to the house, I thought, I hope no neighbours or Dylan have been watching! Two different boys in three days, they’ll think I am awful.
When I let myself in, Mum came out of the kitchen. ‘India. Oh Lord, did you get caught in that storm? Come on, get those clothes off.You must be freezing.’
But I wasn’t. I had a wonderful warm feeling inside and I knew in my heart that, whatever was between Joe and me, it was really special.
Bruno flew in on Friday morning. He’d sent a text earlier in the week asking that I keep Saturday free for him. He wanted to do all his business first and get it out of the way
so that we had time together. He suggested that we meet at his hotel and asked that I show him a little of London before he flew back on Sunday.
I got the tube to Green Park and, in my head, I was rehearsing my speech to him – that I only wanted to be friends and that a long-distance love affair wasn’t a good idea and that we were both too young to commit. Since my date with Joe, I couldn’t stop thinking about him and, every time I remembered the way that he’d grabbed me and kissed me in the rain, I felt my stomach flip over.
A doorman in a top hat opened the door as I approached the hotel and, as I entered the reception area, I felt slightly intimidated by how posh it was, with marble floors and enormous expensive-looking flower arrangements and smart people passing through. I was glad that I had borrowed Mum’s three-quarter-length peacock-blue velvet coat to wear over my jeans – it looked like it had cost a bomb, although I knew she’d got it in a second-hand shop near Portobello Road. Luckily I didn’t have to wait long until Bruno appeared from a lift at the back of the reception area. He was wearing his stylish coat and red scarf, and his face lit up when he saw me and I felt myself beaming too. I had forgotten how extraordinarily good-looking he was – something that a couple of other girls waiting in reception noticed too as they were obviously checking him out and whispering to each other. He didn’t even notice them and came rushing towards me and wrapped me in a big bear hug. ‘India, at last.’
‘Er, hi Bruno,’ I said, breathing in his light lemony scent and I remembered how good it had felt to be close to him. Joe, said a voice in my head, you’re in love with Joe remember? Not today, I’m not, said a different voice. What’s going on? said a third voice. Oh, I’ll think about it later. Go with the flow. Go with the flow.
‘How have you been? Missed me?’ said Bruno as he put his arm around me and steered me towards a room full of overstuffed sofas and leather chairs.
‘I did and then I didn’t,’ I said. ‘I ... I thought you’d forgotten me.’
‘Never,’ he said. ‘I think about you all the time and was cursing that I couldn’t call you every day when I lost my phone. But how are you? You look beautiful.’
‘I’m fine,’ I said. ‘A bit mad but fine. So what would you like to do?’
Bruno opened his arms and said,‘London!’
And so started the most fantastic day. Outside the Ritz hotel, we hopped on to one of the red open-topped tourist buses and sat upstairs. Although it was chilly, it was a lovely clear day and we sat close, snuggled up, and laughed at the bus driver’s hysterical commentary about London. Tyler would love this, I thought when the guide filled us in on the history of the buildings and streets that we passed through. It was interesting to hear how much of old London had burned down in the great fire in 1666. We passed St Paul’s cathedral and got off the bus at Tower Bridge. Bruno was well impressed by the Tower of London, and it made me shiver to think about all the people who had been executed or kept in the dungeons there.
After the Tower we caught a boat to Tate Britain, and, even though it was still cold, it was another excuse to cuddle up to him. Somewhere on the trip, my speech about just being friends seemed to have flown away, and I couldn’t help wanting him to kiss me so that I could remember how it was when we were in Ravello and find out if I’d imagined how fantastic it had been. Having snoggedTyler and Joe since I’d last seen Bruno, his kisses had faded in my mind and I needed to experience them again to see how he compared to the other two boys. At least that was what I was telling myself. He didn’t seem in any hurry to kiss me though, and was content to hold my hand or put his arm around me like a protective uncle. It was very frustrating – like being out with one of my brother Lewis’s friends. At the Tate Britain gallery, we spent an hour or so wandering around the rooms looking at the art and sculpture there.Joe would love this, I thought as we walked through a stunning exhibition of portraits. I should come here with him. Thinking about Joe made me feel sad and irritated. If he’d only get over his stubborn refusal to commit, we could do all sorts of great things together at the weekends. See exhibitions, go for walks, go to the movies. But he doesn’t want to be in a relationship, I reminded myself, so you might as well enjoy being with someone who does want to be with you.
And next is going to be a surprise,’ said Bruno after we’d had enough of looking at paintings and we were standing on the steps outside the gallery. I took a step towards him, looked into his eyes and tilted my face up to his in the hope that he’d take the hint and kiss me, but he didn’t. For a moment, I felt my confidence flounder, maybe Joe wasn’t that into me and maybe Bruno wasn’t either. Maybe I come on too strong or played it all wrong or something.
Bruno dashed on to the pavement where he hailed a taxi and asked for a restaurant which I didn’t catch the name of. I followed him down the steps and got into the cab and felt marginally better as we sat and held hands and watched the world go by. Beats travelling by tube, I thought as I took in the busy streets, the Christmas lights and the shoppers dashing about. Now he’s going to kiss me surely, I thought.
But he didn’t.
We drove past Buckingham Palace and up past St James’s Park, and all the time Bruno was looking out of the window enthusing about the sights. Never mind the sights, I thought. What about me!
As the cab went through Trafalgar Square, it looked so Christmassy with the huge trees reaching up to the sky and the lights all around. It was then that, at last, Bruno put his arm around me and leaned towards me. He nuzzled into my neck and nibbled the bottom of my ear. Then he leaned further in, lifted my hair and kissed the nape of my neck. It felt exquisite. No one had ever done that before and I decided there and then that it was going to be my favourite thing, ever. Neck kissing. Even better than Häagen-Dazs ice cream. And then he kissed me properly, gently at first but then he pressed harder and I felt myself melting into him. It was wonderful, like I was falling into a warm velvety tunnel and nothing else existed except the sensation of being kissed. I put my hands up to the back of his neck and ran my fingers through his hair and he moaned softly. Ohmigod, said a voice at the back of my head. I love three boys. But I didn’t let that put me off. Neither Joe nor Tyler was my proper boyfriend and it felt good to be back in Bruno’s arms. Voices in the back of my head were saying, Joe, Tyler, Joe, Tyler, but I told them very firmly to shut up.
After a while, the cab drew up outside a grand-looking building on the Strand.Yet another doorman opened the door for us and we entered an amazing room with high ceilings and a floor that was black and white marble, which gave the place a church-like feel. No one was praying though - at the tables, people were busy chatting and eating and drinking and having a good time.
‘Afternoon tea,’ said Bruno as a smart girl dressed in black came forward to take our coats.
‘Yumscious,’ I said and told myself not to feel nervous. It felt so grown-up and formal, a million miles away from the cosy cafés where I usually hung out with my mates or Joe or Tyler.
‘It used to be a bank apparently,’ said Bruno. A waiter led us to a booth to the right of the restaurant where we took our seats and, moments later, yet another waiter handed us menus.
Well it sure is different to Costa or Starbucks, I thought.
Bruno glanced at the menu. ‘The full works?’ he asked.
‘Sure,’ I said. I wasn’t sure what the full works was going to be, but I didn’t want to sound like it was my first time in a place like this.
It arrived a short time afterwards. A plate of finger sandwiches, another plate of scones with pots of jam and cream and another plate full of the most divine, looking pastries. I am going to get as fat as a pig, I thought, helping myself to my first pastry, and I don’t care. Bruno and I ate every scrap, then sat back and rubbed our tummies and laughed. I noticed a bunch of girls on a nearby table eyeing Bruno with admiration, so I reached over and took his hand and he lifted it to his lips and kissed it. I felt proud to be with him and, as I had in Ravello, once again it seemed like I was in a
romantic movie with the lead man. He makes everywhere seem glamorous, I thought.
After our tea, it was six o’clock and Bruno had to go and meet some of the people to do with his father’s hotel business. I was going to get the tube home but he insisted on getting me a cab. When the waiter came over and said that the taxi was waiting for me, Bruno paid the bill (I did offer to contribute but he wouldn’t hear of it and, when I saw the bill, I was relieved because I didn’t have enough money on me or even in my savings box!) and then we went out on to the pavement. He put his arms around me and pulled me close. ‘Bella, I hope you’ll come over to Italy soon. Make the excuse to see your grandmother.’
‘I’ll do what I can,’ I said. I had totally changed my mind since the morning and thought that maybe I could make a long-distance relationship work after all. What had I to lose? Not Joe and it was still early days with Tyler.
‘And I will come over whenever I can,’ he said. ‘But for now, we are saying goodbye again.’ He hugged me closer and we clung on to each other for a while until the taxi driver beeped his horn.
‘This cab for you, miss?’ he asked.
I nodded. ‘I’d better go,’ I said.
We had a last kiss that was gentle and tender and, when I got into the cab, I felt sad that our day was over. I turned to look out of the back window. Bruno was standing watching and then the cab pulled into the traffic and he was a blur on the pavement, one figure amongst many others. And then he was gone.
As the streets of London flashed past me, I thought back over my amazing week. Three boys, three perfect dates. Whatever next?
The next two weeks were frantic with end of term coursework and completing the designs for the school show. Every spare moment was taken up with revision, painting scenery, meetings and rehearsals. In the meantime, Tyler sent a lovely postcard with a scene from the film It’s a Wonderful Life on the front. On the back, he wrote, Thinking of you.
Bruno sent a dozen cream roses and a card that said, Miss you, my bella India.
Joe sent nothing, but he gave me a cheeky grin when I saw him in the corridor on the way to a rehearsal meeting.
Looking for a Hero Page 12