The Complete Memories Series (5 page)

‘‘I don’t have a guy, Bing.’’

‘‘Sure ya do, Alec. I saw the way you were looking at each other yesterday.’’

‘‘Bing?’’ I lift my head and look at him.

‘‘What?’’

‘‘Go and fuck yourself.’’ I look away and rest my head back on my arms, shutting my eyes.

‘‘I was just sayin’, sis. No need to get so defensive.’’ He laughs. ‘‘Gram seems to think you’re well in there.’’

‘‘Gram would. She’s the bloody instigator in this,’’ I grumble.

Jen laughs. ‘‘Your gram is a legend, I swear.’’

‘‘She’s at home drinking Baileys and ice,’’ Bing chuckles.

‘‘I left her two hours ago.’’ I shake my head. ‘‘Can’t leave her alone for ten minutes, she’s like a child.’’

‘‘She’s awesome, but very flighty,’’ Jen comments. ‘‘Kinda makes her, her, though, if you get me.’’

‘‘No.’’ Bing shakes his head.

‘‘Whatever, Bing.’’ I mumble and wriggle, getting comfy.

‘‘Lover boy’s coming,’’ he teases.

I swear, I’m gonna kill him one of these days.

‘‘Fish and chips,’’ Jen argues.

‘‘With curry sauce,’’ I add. ‘‘Mmm.’’

‘‘Yes! That’s what I’m talkin’ about.’’ Jen high fives me. ‘‘Finally, someone on my wavelength!’’

‘‘You always want fish and chips, and that means going to Ilfracombe. Do you know how much effort that takes?’’ Carl groans, trying in vain to wipe sand off his wetsuit.

‘‘That’s because I like sitting up there and eating. It’s such a nice view. Plus, I need to get rid of my 2p’s in the arcade.’’ Jen leans against the car and folds her arms across her chest.

‘‘Jen...’’

‘‘What do you wanna do, Princess?’’ Alec appears from behind his car, fully changed.

‘‘I wanna go to Ilfracombe for fish and chips, then get rid of 2p’s in the arcade.’’ I grin.

‘‘Ilfracombe it is.’’ He shrugs.

‘‘Oh Jesus,’’ Carl mutters. ‘‘You’re getting soft.’’

‘‘A girl wants what a girl wants.’’ Alec winks at me and I roll my eyes, turning away so he won’t see the slight flush in my cheeks. How does he have the power to turn me to a pile of mush?

‘‘Yes!’’ Jen punches the air and pulls open the car door. ‘‘2p machine, here I come.’’

I laugh at her excitement. It’s so childlike, so refreshing, and so different to what I’m used to.

‘‘Can we stop off at Gram’s? I knew I brought my pig for a reason.’’ I poke my head out the window and look at Alec.

‘‘Anything for you, Princess.’’ He beams at me, and I can’t help but smile back.

‘‘Bing isn’t coming, is he?’’ Jen asks me.

‘‘No. He’s leaving to spend a few days in Exeter with some friends. Thank god.’’

‘‘You don’t mean that,’’ Carl teases me. ‘‘You love the banter.’’

‘‘About as much as I’d love a kick in the teeth,’’ I snort. ‘‘Yeah, I love him, but he drives me damn crazy.’’

‘‘That’s siblings for you,’’ Jen sighs. ‘‘Talking of older siblings, my sister gets married in two weeks and she told me to invite you to the wedding. Your Gram is going.’’

‘‘Sure, I’d love to come.’’ I smile at her. ‘‘I can’t believe she’s getting married. I remember her screaming at us because we were chasing her with a lobster once.’’

Jen bursts out laughing. ‘‘Oh my god, I so remember that!’’

Alec and Carl share a look from the front seats as Alec pulls away. After a quick stop off at Gram’s involving helping Mum hide the Baileys and Vino, finding Gram’s reading glasses and grabbing my pig, we head out of the Bay and towards Ilfracombe.

It’s cooler in Ilfracombe than in Lilac Bay when we arrive, and Jen’s stomach makes itself known as the smell of fish and chips drifts past us. I can hear the chinking of coins in the arcade, the happy shouts of children as their parents win stuffed toys out of the machines. The noise increases as we pass the Landmark Theatre and approach Tunnels Beaches.

Jen spies the fish and chip shop and grabs Carl’s hand, dragging him towards it.

‘‘I need food,’’ is the only explanation she’s willing to give.

I stop by Tunnels Beaches and lean on the wall, looking out to sea. The beach is small, rugged, and covered in pebbles. Even from my higher position I can see how gritty the ‘sand’ is.

The sea breeze drifts up towards me, teasing my hair gently, blowing it away from my face. I stand there absently, lost in a world of calm.

I remember coming here for days out - visits to Combe Martin’s Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, Watermouth Castle, and the aquarium. Sometimes, we’d just sit on the beach and I’d listen to Westlife until my ears began to bleed. I smile slightly to myself at the memory, wishing I could plug myself into my iPod and listen to them.

I watch her as she rests her arms on the wall and looks out to sea. The wind teases her hair, tiny locks of it blowing away from her face gently and I know I’ve never seen anything more peaceful. I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful.

I don’t know when she made the transition from sexy to beautiful in my mind, or when she became a need instead of a want. I missed when she switched from a one night girl to a forever girl. My forever girl.

She doesn’t trust me. I’m not stupid and I’m not blind. Unless I can prove I care, she won’t touch me with a ten foot barge pole and I don’t blame her. I’m not perfect.

I’m not perfect enough for her but I don’t care, not anymore.

I want her to take a chance on me.

I step up to the wall and let my arm brush hers gently. Her eyelashes fan out around her eyes, framing them in a natural kind of perfection. I’ve distracted her from what she was thinking about... Even if she won’t show it.

I ignore the goose pimples his touch evokes, but it’s kinda hard.

‘‘It’s lovely here.’’ He looks at me.

‘‘Yeah. I was just remembering when we used to come here.’’ Seagulls fly overhead, squawking and looking for their next meal.

‘‘Maybe I wasn’t talking about the view.’’

I can feel his eyes burning holes in the side of my head, but I won’t look, I won’t, I won’t...

I give in to the compelling feeling and turn my face towards him slightly.

‘‘You look lovely just standing there, that tiny smile on your face.’’ He picks my hand up and links his baby finger with mine. I look at our hands. His are bigger, more tanned from working in Gram’s garden and surfing.

‘‘You’re really laying it on thick today, aren’t you?’’ I laugh and take my hand back.

‘‘Lexy, I don’t wanna get in your pants. Well I do, but not like that. Oh hell,’’ he hisses out a breath.

‘‘First time for everything, then, Alec?’’ There’s an almost bitter tone to my voice as I refuse to make eye contact.

‘‘Clearly Jen has been embellishing,’’ he mutters to himself. ‘‘Lexy, I know you’re not like the girls around here, and I’m not just looking for one good night. I haven’t slept with half as many people round here as you think I have.’’

I open my mouth to argue with him but he stops me.

‘‘Just listen. I won’t deny that I’m attracted to you - immensely - but I don’t want just one night with you. I want you to give me a chance, get to know me. I’m not as bad as you think, I swear.’’

I make eye contact despite my best efforts, and he’s deadly serious. His eyes are practically begging me to give him a chance, and I want to, oh how I want to.

But giving him a chance means opening myself to him in return, and I know when that happens he’ll get under my skin. It’s so much easier to think of him as a flirt, a lad, someone I should keep at arms length. If he’s at arms length he can’t wriggle under my defences towards my heart.

I know that’s what will happen. If I give him a chance I may as well stand on the rooftop and shout ‘hey, Alec, come and break my heart!’ at the top of my voice. I don’t know if I’m ready for that.

The fact we’ve only known each other a week doesn’t matter much anymore. The thought hits me suddenly and I recall Bing’s words. You need to loosen up a bit. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and sigh it out. Damn my brother to hell and back on a rocket.

‘‘One chance, Alec,’’ I say quietly, looking into his eyes. ‘‘If you can prove to me you’re not a man whore, then I’ll forget everything Jen has told me about you.’’

His face transforms and he smiles widely. His dimples make an appearance and I feel a bit of my resolve melt. I know I’ve just made a mistake, giving him that chance.

‘‘You have a deal.’’ He takes my hand and steps back. ‘‘My lady, would you allow me to escort you to the upcoming nuptials?’’

I put my other hand over my mouth and laugh into it as he bows to me. A nod is all I can manage.

He stands and whoops loudly. ‘‘She said yes!’’ he shouts, much to the delight of passer bys.

I gasp and slap his arm. ‘‘You’re such an idiot!’’

‘‘Sorry,’’ he laughs. ‘‘I couldn’t resist.’’

I look at him and I can’t contain my amused smirk. He bumps my shoulder with his.

‘‘Come on, Princess, it was a little bit funny.’’ He grins.

‘‘Maybe a little...’’ I try to contain my laughter.

‘‘You know it was....’’ He pulls a silly face and I let my laughter go.

‘‘You’re so stupid,’’ I manage through my laughter.

‘‘I know.’’ He wraps his arm around me and leads me towards the fish and chip shop. ‘‘Dinner is on me.’’

~

‘‘What day is it?’’ Gram asks me, peering at the calendar.

‘‘It’s Wednesday, and your glasses are on the kitchen side,’’ Mum replies, kissing Gram’s head as she walks past her.

‘‘You seem a bit forgetful lately, Gram,’’ I comment.

Dad peers at us over the top of his newspaper.

‘‘It’s old age, Lexy girl.’’ She chuckles and puts her glasses on. ‘‘Happens to the best of us. Why, Mabel forgot her bingo pen on Sunday night! Caused quite a stir in the Bingo hall, I’ll tell you.’’

‘‘Is that why you won?’’ I grin.

‘‘Why you cheeky little...’’ She swats me and I sidestep out of the way laughing. ‘‘Probably was, dear. I won’t complain though!’’

‘‘How much did you win?’’ Dad asks her.

‘‘Fifty pounds,’’ she says proudly.

I snicker and Dad claps.

‘‘Drinks on you then, Vi!’’

‘‘Si!’’ Mum admonishes. ‘‘Don’t encourage her. Me and Lexy have already hidden the Vino.’’

‘‘Not very well,’’ Grammy cackles and waggles a finger at her. ‘‘It’s in the cupboard under the stairs. I might forget the day and where I put my glasses but you lived with me for eighteen years, sugar-pie, and you’ve been hiding things there since you were a year old.’’

I make a buzzer sound. ‘‘That is the wrong answer.’’

Gram looks at us, shocked. ‘‘You mean it’s not there?’’

‘‘Don’t be silly, mother,’’ Mum laughs. ‘‘Lexy hid it.’’

‘‘Yep, and I’d love to see you climb the chimney!’’ I laugh.

‘‘You didn’t!’’ Grammy puts a hand to her chest.

‘‘You’re so gullible.’’ I bend over the chair laughing. ‘‘Of course I didn’t put it up the chimney.’’

‘‘They tipped it down the sink instead!’’ Dad teases her.

‘‘You horrible children,’’ she clucks. ‘‘Tormenting a poor, defenceless, little old lady.’’

‘‘Defenceless! Ha!’’ Dad puts his paper down and sits back in his chair. ‘‘I seem to remember you’re lethal with a handbag, Violet.’’

Gram gets a thoughtful look on her face.

‘‘I get the feeling there’s a story here somewhere.’’ I look between her and my parents.

‘‘Oh there is.’’ Mum stirs her tea and leans against the kitchen counter. ‘‘We were what, fifteen?’’ She looks at Dad.

‘‘Sixteen, I believe,’’ he corrects her. Mum nods.

‘‘You were. I think I was still fifteen. Anyway.’’ She focuses on me. ‘‘We’d been out to Ilfracombe to see a show at the Landmark and then dinner afterwards. It was at some all you can eat buffet, and we’d stuffed ourselves silly. Anyway, I was a little bloated and when we got back, your grandmother took one look at me and accused your father of getting me pregnant. We were so shocked by her words he didn’t see her handbag come flying towards him.’’

I snort and Dad laughs at the memory.

‘‘My arm is still sore to this day,’’ he jokes. ‘‘She carried everything but the kitchen sink in that blasted bag.’’

‘‘I can’t believe you actually beat Dad with your handbag!’’ I look at Gram and there’s a fond smile on her face.

‘‘I believe I remember that,’’ she chuckles and turns her attention to me. ‘‘You make sure to tell your Alec about my handbag skills.’’

‘‘He’s not my anything!’’ I insist.

‘‘Of course, honey,’’ Mum says and puts her empty cup in the sink. ‘‘Are you ready, Mum? Tesco won’t do the shopping for you.’’

‘‘Yes, yes, Em. I’m ready.’’ Gram kisses my cheek and picks up her bag. Dad takes the car keys from Mum and goes to start the car up.

‘‘See you in a bit, Mum.’’ I flick my magazine open.

‘‘Bye, love.’’

‘‘Oh, Lexy,’’ Gram turns in the door, and that twinkle I’ve come to expect is in her eyes. I narrow my eyes. ‘‘Your Alec will be here in ten minutes. He’s putting my shed up for me.’’

‘‘What?!’’ I exclaim and jump out of my seat. ‘‘Why does no one tell me this stuff?’’ I stomp past them. ‘‘And for the last time, he’s not my Alec!’’

‘‘Oh, Emmy,’’ I hear Gram giggle as I run up the stairs to get changed. ‘‘That girl has it bad.’’

‘‘Mother, you’re incorrigible.’’ Mum sighs. I hear the front door open then close again.

I turn to the mirror. My hair is shoved up in a messy bun, I have smudges under my eyes from yesterday’s make up and I’m still wearing my pyjamas.

My Snoopy pyjamas.

If there’s any chance of me being ready to face the hottest guy on the face of the Earth, I’m gonna need a freakin’ miracle.