by Jacky Gray
From what Luke said, she had some doubts about this Jimmy guy. Ray would have to try and suss out a way to show him up for what he was: a liar and a cheat. But just telling her wouldn’t work; Luke had tried it and she still seemed determined to go ahead with the relationship.
Of all the times to be ill! One of his mum’s mantras was “Timing is Everything.” It finally started to make sense as he thought over his awful affliction on Monday and the injustice of trying to play fair.
When the others mentioned Liv’s memory loss, he figured he should take it slowly. He reckoned she probably still saw him as some kind of bad guy over the gay thing, hence wanting to ensure Terry was truly out of the picture before making his move. But when Kat said Liv didn’t mind about Terry and Alison, he figured he’d be pretty safe on that score. He’d waited for a chance to see if the rose got delivered to see how Liv would react to it. His plan involved quoting the sonnet to her after she’d found it in her locker, so she’d realise it came from him.
But the universe had other ideas. When his stomach first started churning, he thought it might be nerves at the prospect of asking her out and being turned down. Then Ghandi’s revenge set in with a vengeance, putting him out of the game and letting this Proud character move in. He knew she had a thing for the guy in the past but, unless he’d read all the signals wrong, she seemed to be well over him.
Ray wondered how to play it tomorrow at skating. Should he go for antagonism? Push the guy ’til he overstepped the mark? Or pretend to be friendly until he could find a weak spot?
In the end he had little choice in the matter. Jimmy was obviously well practised in turning on the charm, and Ray could find no fault in the way he grasped his hand in a firm handshake. Jimmy congratulated him on being a brilliant Dandy Dan and said how he never even realised Ray was in a wheelchair ’til Liv told him.
Ray didn’t have much of a chance after that; Jimmy seemed to be Mr Popular with everyone. Terry and Alison popped over for a chat and it felt like everyone fell over themselves to be introduced to the new guy. Even Liam sounded impressed by the authentic Irish accent, before grabbing Kat to “Remind me how it’s done, again.”
With so many bodies, Ray hadn’t clocked Luke’s absence until Terry and Alison left. He scanned the ice.
“Lost someone?” Liv sat next to him, jolting his nerve endings with a boost of endorphins.
She looked incredible with her eyes shining and cheeks glowing from the exertion, but he kept it cool. “Just wondering where Luke got to.”
“I think Kat said he’s working first thing; he may be in later.”
“So where’s your new boyfriend?” He couldn’t keep the bitter note out of his voice.
“Jude’s showing him a few basics. He hasn’t been skating for a while and he’s a bit rusty. How’s Mel?”
He looked at her sharply. “You tell me; she’s your friend.”
“But I thought … I mean she said … oh, never mind.” She frowned.
He caught her arm when she would have stood. “Exactly what did she say?” Something slowly began to make sense.
“I’m not sure; I don’t remember exactly. I thought you two were like, you know, pen-pals or something. She said you’d been writing to her.”
“She emailed asking when the show was on, saying she’d lost my mobile number. I emailed back with the dates; that was about it. Apart from the silly “Missing You” card with fluffy animals and some drivel about meeting. But I never gave her my number. Or my address, I swear.”
“But she knew where you lived. We met at your house.”
“Right, but I didn’t think she’d remember the address from that.”
“She used to live on your street – only a few doors down – she’d be bound to notice it. You mean you weren’t carrying on some long-distance thing with her?” Liv’s puzzled look shouted, “Does not compute.”
“No. Is that what she told you?”
“I’m not sure she actually said it, but she sure as heck tried to give me that impression. She never stopped talking about you after Stratford. For the rest of the week, even after she got back to Portsmouth.” She tilted her head, her gaze speculative. “I got the feeling you fancied her too; you paired off quite naturally with her ...”
“Only because you were with Terry.” Pennies dropped by the dozen. “Is that why you’ve been avoiding me? Because you think I’m going out with Mel?”
“When did I avoid you? I don’t remember ...”
“... going out of your way not to be left alone with me? Barely talking in Chemistry; disappearing off after school instead of walking home with me an’ Jude?”
“Oh, that. I was trying to get some extra runs in before the show.”
“And the rest of it?”
“I … I don’t know. Maybe you’re right. I was going out with Terry and I thought you were going out – or whatever – with Mel, so it didn’t seem right for us to ...”
“To what?” He held his breath, hoping to hear the words.
She lost focus for an instant, her eyes glazed over. Then she blinked, and it was as though they hadn’t had the last few minutes’ conversation. With an overly bright smile, she stood. “I’d better find the others. Luke should be along in a minute, he had to work first thing. See you in a bit.”
What the heck was going on? His hopes scattering on the ground around him, Ray watched as she made her way onto the ice to be claimed within seconds by Jimmy. Who now seemed quite proficient, pulling her along far quicker than she could cope with.
Jude came up for a chat, and he asked her to keep an eye on Liv to make sure she wasn’t overdoing it.
Luke appeared, creeping up behind Jude. He grabbed her waist, making her squeal, then gave a brief greeting kiss before turning to Ray. “Who were you on about? Liv?”
Ray grinned at the guy’s new-found smooth. “Yeah. She spoke to me a few minutes ago and came over all peculiar. Completely forgot what we were talking about.” He caught Jude’s eye. “Maybe you could tell Jimmy to take it easy with her. He might listen to you.”
“Sure. He couldn’t wait to show off how much he’s remembered in a couple of minutes; he probably doesn’t realise she’s not very confident at the best of times.” She stood. “You coming, Luke?”
“You carry on. I need to redo this boot, it doesn’t feel right. Gimme a sec.” Sitting in the seat she’d recently vacated, Luke undid the laces until he could free the folded tongue. He gestured at the ice. “So what do you think of this Proud joker now you’ve met him?”
Ray frowned. “Hard to say. He comes over like everyone’s best mate but there’s something about him I don’t trust. Like the way his eyes slide over the girls when he’s looking at them ...”
“You noticed that too?”
“Yeah. Not just Liv, but Kat, Jude – anything in a skirt.”
Luke nodded. “And yet Liv said he’s got a way of looking at her like she’s the only girl in the world.”
“Neat stunt if you can pull it off.” Ray registered the sour note in his voice, but he had no say in the matter, and it seemed to fit. He changed the subject. “Hey, did you know about this big romance I’m supposed to be having with Mel?”
Luke’s eyebrows formed a virtually continuous horizontal line below his forehead as they beetled together. “No. Who said that?”
“Liv. It’s what Mel’s been telling her, apparently.”
“The other girls didn’t mention it. Are you sure she’s got it right?”
“Absolutely. I’m starting to wonder what kind of friend Mel is. She sent me a couple of emails and a dodgy card, but I’m not the slightest bit interested. Way too pushy for me. It certainly hasn’t helped my cause, though.”
“Like I said, I reckon Liv’s having her doubts about Jimmy. I’m sure it won’t be long now.” He stood and tested his boot. “That’s better. Let’s see what the craic is.”
17 Racing With the Devil
Except there wasn’t much of a
craic going on at all as Luke skated over to the gang. In fact, it looked like an argument. Seconds before he reached them, Jimmy shot off.
“Hi, Luke. Glad you could make it.” Liv seemed relieved to see him as he dropped “Hi buddy” kisses on her and Kat’s foreheads.
Jude explained how Jimmy had taken offence at Ray’s suggestion to go easy on Liv and stomped off to try and convince Liam to have a race with him. He obviously wanted to impress people with his relearnt skill. She turned to Liv, her tone conciliatory. “Sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to upset Jimmy. We’re all concerned about you.”
Liv scowled. “What on earth does Ray think he’s doing, telling Jimmy what to do?”
“He cares about you, Liv.” Luke could tell that idea didn’t work for her, and tried reason. “You, of all people, should know how important it is to take it easy.”
Kat put her hand on his arm. “Hey, maybe you could give Jimmy a run for his money. He’s trying to get Liam involved, but the poor guy can barely make it round without falling over.” Her well-worn deflection tactic rarely failed, but this time he didn’t want to play ball.
“If he wants a real challenge he should take Jude on; that would soon shut him up. Beaten by a girl.” Luke could tell by their reactions, neither girl understood the strength of his feeling.
“Shhh, he’s coming.” Jude frowned at Luke, mouthing “Be nice.”
“Luke, how the devil are you, old matey? Long time, no see.” Jimmy thrust out a hand.
“Er, I’m ok, thanks.” Luke shook it, surprised at the lack of bone-crushing grip he’d been used to in the past. “I heard about you an’ Liv going out.”
Jimmy grabbed her round the waist. “Yeah, I’m the luckiest boy in the school.”
“And what cut of an hour would you be calling this to turn up, Lukey boy?” Liam punched his arm and overbalanced, being saved from the ice by Jude’s steadying hand.
“Some of us have to work for a living, college boy.” Luke went to give him a friendly cuff back, but Liam pulled Jude in front of him.
“That’s it, you hide behind a girl.” Luke felt entirely comfortable teasing Liam, ignoring Jimmy’s narrowed eyes.
Liam had a newcomer’s ignorance of the undercurrents between the two adversaries. “Ah now, Jimmy. This is the man if you want a race; he’s the very devil on the ice.”
“Hardly,” Luke’s protest was lost as Jimmy got visibly excited.
“Yeah, I’d forgotten you were such a jock. How about it, then? Three times round and last one back buys the beers?”
“Luke doesn’t drink beer.”
“Whatever. Cokes, then Miss Prissy-knickers.” Jimmy steamrollered over Kat’s objection, then popped a fist on Luke’s bicep. “Come on, Lukey-boy. Are you up for it, or are you chicken?”
“He’s not chicken.” Jude jumped in to defend his honour. “They don’t approve of races. You’ll get barred by one of the marshals if you speed skate for that long. And we could all get kicked out.”
Jimmy looked from Kat to Jude, stopping short of an eye-roll. “Once round then.” He wagged his finger comically. “But it has to be all the way round the outside; you can’t just cut up the middle.”
Despite all his better instincts, Luke had no choice but to agree. He could tell from the girls’ expressions they wouldn’t appreciate his reasons for accepting the dare. After Kat and Jude speaking up on his behalf, it would have looked weak, as though he were hiding behind them.
Keen to see fair play, Jude declared Ray should start it so the rest of them could take up positions around the rink to make sure neither boy cheated.
It was a close run thing: Luke had the edge at the start but a little girl darted out in front of him and he had to swerve big time to avoid her. This lost a lot of momentum and allowed Jimmy to close the gap as they approached the second bend where Liv stood beside a dense crowd.
Luke struggled to find anywhere he could pass through easily. As a gap opened up for Jimmy, he resorted to screeching past a couple of adults who were obviously uncertain on their feet. He reached Ray half a second before Jimmy, who declared it a fair fight.
“So, the drinks are on me. Liv, find out what people want.” As she tallied up the orders, Jimmy nodded at the ice. “Big shame about the poor couple you buzzed. The woman ended up in a heap on the floor.”
Luke looked over but could see no sign of them. Bugger! His reluctance centred on the ever-present opportunity for something to go nastily wrong: like the kid at the start. But at least he was still one up. He hoped it might remind Jimmy of their previous bouts and make him think twice about trying anything on with Liv.
18 Guys Don’t Give Gifts
Ray watched with a sick feeling in his stomach as Jimmy took his defeat graciously, kissing and hugging Liv, then grabbing Liam to give a hand with the drinks. The rest moved to sit on the seats outside the café, except Luke, who declared he hadn’t worked up a thirst yet.
As Luke returned to the ice, Ray sensed more to it: something about the way the jock looked at Proud said Luke didn’t trust him big time. He hadn’t said much on the phone the other night, just mentioned knowing Jimmy from a while ago. But why call him a joker and disappear off instead of claiming his victory prize? Watching Luke razz round the rink, Ray figured he was taking out his anger and frustration on the ice. Something didn’t smell right.
Liam seemed very thick with the hoodlum when they returned with the drinks; it sounded like they were making arrangements for him to turn up to one of Liam’s band rehearsals. Apart from Luke, Jimmy wound everyone else round his little finger. So why couldn’t he look Ray in the eye? Had he picked up on his interest in Liv? Maybe because it was written all over his face every time he looked at her.
Reflecting on Liv’s behaviour, he glimpsed moments when she seemed slightly uneasy, almost uncomfortable, in Jimmy’s presence, certainly not like someone in love with a new boyfriend. But then the guy would nuzzle her neck like he’d taken tips from James Bond and she’d melt. Or giggle. Or look at him like ...
“How about you, Ray? Have you done all your Christmas shopping yet?” Kat’s voice broke into his brooding thoughts.
“Why? It’s not Christmas Eve, yet. Plenty of time, then.”
“That’s such a male trope.” Kat rolled her eyes – not an everyday sight. Mum’s always nagging at dad, but it’s the same every year.”
He shrugged. “How long does it take to pick up a box of chocolates, a tie, some socks and anything Peppa Pig for Amy?”
“Aren’t you worried they might have sold out by then?” Liv led the Spanish Inquisition as the girls fired questions at him in turn.
He tried to defend himself, but three onto one proved a challenge. “They never have so far.”
Kat next. “Haven’t you got better things to do on Christmas Eve?”
“Like what? Go round visiting relatives? I’d rather go shopping.”
Then Jude. “How come you only send four presents?”
“’Cos there’s only four people in my family.”
She frowned. “What about your friends, don’t they get anything?”
“What friends are these?” This was thin ice indeed.
“Charming. What are we, scotch mist?” Liv’s pout matched Anita’s in the line from the classic movie West Side Story.
He grinned as she caught his eye – like it was a private joke. “You’re just a bunch of goofy, gift-giving girls I hang out with.”
Jimmy’s attention diverted from whatever story Liam was regaling, and the frown said he’d spotted the shared glance.
Ray ignored the piercing stare. “Guys just don’t do it. Am I right, guys? Help me out, here.” His pleading look at Liam expanded to include Luke as he came up, panting slightly, and grabbed the last can.
“Don’t do what?” Luke pulled the ring. “What have I missed?”
Ray folded his arms as he glorified the stereotype. “Guys don’t buy presents except for their immediate family.”
“Yeah, that’s right, it’s a chick thing.” Luke swigged the coke.
“Except for girlfriends, of course; they count as family.” Jimmy obviously decided Ray had been the centre of female attention for long enough. He made a show of squeezing Liv’s waist, making her blush.
“That lets me out; I don’t have one of those. But you do, Luke.” Ray winked at him. “Maybe you should go Christmas shopping with the girls.”
“But it’s not Christmas Eve, yet.” Luke shook his head.
“See – I did tell you.” Ray loved a good wind, and Luke played the wingman to perfection. “What say you, Liam?”
“Never done it. With three sisters happy to do it for me, what’s the point?”
“I’d be happy to come with you, girls ...” Jimmy offered gallantly.
“You’ll only end up carrying all their bags; they just want a pack horse.” Liam obviously knew the drill.
“It would be my pleasure merely to have the company of three such charming maidens.” Jimmy gave a little flourish, and Ray noticed Liv’s embarrassment.
“Anyone got a bucket?” Liam grimaced.
Luke mimed sticking his finger down his throat, earning a friendly punch from Jude.
“It wouldn’t hurt you to cherish your ladies.” Jimmy’s charm wandered into smarm territory.
“Oh, it hoits, it hoits,” Luke rolled around clutching his arm, earning a black look from the hoodlum.
“We ought to get going. Are you still ok to give us a lift in, Liam?” In an obvious effort to cover up her boyfriend’s differentness to the other guys, Liv became all business, making the arrangements of where to meet up with Jimmy, who claimed he had an errand to run first. The guy relished any chance to boast about the fact he had his own means of transport.
Ray shot Luke a loaded glance and he picked up the hint, offering to walk back with him.