The Complete Memories Series (28 page)

“Your student loans and that will help with that, won't they?”

I nod. “But it won't be there forever, and I'm gonna need what money I have. I'll only have a small amount left for me at the end of each week, and I don't wanna spend all that on tickets to spend twelve hours of the weekend travelling.”

He touches my arm. “Six weeks isn't really that long.”

“He won't come up. At all. We'll see each other maybe six times a year, and even when I'm back, he'll still be working.” A tear drips from my eye, and I know I’m about to break. Everything I’ve held inside for the last few days is about to explode from me and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. “I'm missing my family, I'm three hundred miles from my home in my first place, I have no idea how to use my washing machine, and my milk has gone rotten, and I...”

I cover my face with my hands as the tears begin to flow freely. Behind my cocky exterior, I’m just a normal person. And right now, that normal person misses their family, their boyfriend, and has no idea how to cope by themselves. I’m that normal person in this second.

I have no idea how to cope in this city.

ALEC

I've never seen her this way. Sarcastic Jen, cocky Jen, bitchy Jen... All those I can cope with. Crying Jen? No. I didn't even know she could cry.

I text Lexy, telling her to get here as soon as possible, and sit on the floor next to the sofa. I rest my head on the arm of it, and stroke Jen's hair as she cries. I guess everyone needs a little break down once in a while.

My door opens after ten minutes and Lexy rushes in. She takes one look at Jen, runs over and hugs her. I get up, my phone in hand, and disappear into my bedroom. Lexy will be more use to Jen than me, and I apparently need to have a word with my best friend.

I dial his number, and he answers on the third ring.

“Hello?”

“You need to sort your shit out,” I say straight away.

“What the fuck?”

“I have your girlfriend crying her fucking eyes out on my sofa because you're being a prick, Carl,” I spit, feeling the need to protect Jen. “She's scared as shit because she's from a small town and is in the big city. She's scared because she's gotta do it without her family and guess what? Because you're refusing to come and see her even once before half term, she's scared she's gonna lose you to.”

“I'm working-”

“Yeah, I know that, mate, and I told her that. But you gotta remember she'll be at uni most days with a lot less money than you. We're grown up now, Carl, no more excuses. We all had an amazing summer, but unless you figure out a way to get up here at least once each half term, the summer isn't gonna mean anything.”

He's silent for a minute. “She's really crying?”

“Yeah. She's sobbing her goddamn heart out.”

“Shit.”

“Shit indeed.”

“I've got some making up to do, huh?”

“Some? You've got a lot.”

~

ALEXIS

Mum shakes her head when I finish telling her about Jen and Carl.

“That boy is gonna lose her if he doesn't buck his ideas up,” she says.

“Now, Emily, that's not necessarily true,” Dad argues. “They could find a way to work around it. Long distance relationships are possible.”

Mum looks up from her steak and raises her eyebrows. “Did you or did you not follow me to London from Lilac Bay when I left for university, Simon?”

“I did.”

“And why was that?”

“Because I didn't wanna be without you,” Dad replies tentatively.

“And did Alec follow Lexy to London?” Mum continues.

“He did...”

“And why was that?”

Dad looks at me helplessly, and puts his cutlery on the table. “Because he didn't want to be without her, darling.”

“Precisely,” Mum says triumphantly. “We're not talking London to Essex here, Si, we're talking London to Devon. It's not just an hour or two away. It's a good few hours. We all know Jen's penchant for holding a grudge, so Carl is going to have to make it up to her. I'm guessing he's not a flower type of guy?”

Bing puts his fork down loudly and looks at Mum. “Do we have to discuss Jen's relationship? Really?”

Mum blinks in shock. “Well no-”

“Then don't!” He grabs his fork and starts cutting his steak with vigour. I look at him, them Mum, then Dad. Mum is staring at him in shock, and Dad is grinning. I look back at Bing.

“What?” my brother snaps.

“Nothing,” I reply, turning to my dinner.

“You're lying.”

“Why would I be lying?”

“What is it?”

“It was just a kind of random outburst, even for you, Bing.”

“Excuse me if I don't want to hear about Jen over dinner. Is that illegal?”

“No. Just kind of random, like I said.”

He sighs and clenches his jaw. “Mum, can I take my dinner upstairs?”

“I suppose,” she replies warily.

“Thank you.” He grabs his plate and storms upstairs.

Mum watches him and turns back to us. “What was that all about?”

“That, my favourite girls...” Dad pauses to cut his steak. “...Was Samuel experiencing a thing called jealousy.”

My lips curve upwards. “Jealousy?”

“Indeed, darling daughter.”

“Jealousy? Why would he be jealous?” Mum asks, looking between us.

“Lexy.” Dad points at me with his fork.

“Because Bing has a serious crush on Jen.” I smile.

Mum's eyes widen and she looks at the doorway and back at me. “Are you sure?”

I smile wider. “Oh, yes. I'm very sure.”

“But, does she fancy him?” She leans across the table, and I feel like I'm back at school, trying to gossip quietly.

“I think she does.”

“Oh,” she says, surprised, and sits back up. “Oh. Well. That certainly changes things, doesn't it?”

“It certainly does,” Dad answers for me. “It also makes things more interesting.”

I look at Dad and laugh slightly. “Dad, are you secretly a teenage girl under your middle-aged skin?”

“Why do you say that?” He laughs.

“Because you seem more interested in the Bing-Jen-Carl thing than even Mum and I are.”

“She has a point, darling,” Mum agrees, patting his hand.

Dad shakes his head at both of us. “Can I take my dinner upstairs?”

“No, you cannot.” Mum frowns at him.

Dad sticks his bottom lip out. “You let Samuel.”

“I didn't want to hurt his little heart if he fancies our Jen.”

I roll my eyes and Dad snorts. “He's a grown man, Emily, let him deal with his own issues of the heart. If Sam and Jen and meant to be, then it'll happen, remember that.” He looks at me sternly. “And don't you go interfering, Alexis.”

“Me?” I put a hand to my chest, putting on my best innocent face. “I'd never dream of interfering.”

“Mhmm.”

Chapter Five

ALEXIS

I follow Jen around Cowling & Wilcox art supply store, pulling a full basket of art supplies. When she called and said she'd missed a few things and asked me to go to the shop with her, I didn't think a few things translated to two baskets full.

“Are we done yet?” I whine.

“You sound like Alec and Bing when we went to Laura Ashley.” She puts two boxes of pastels in her basket.

I look around at the stacked shelves. “I can't even draw a stick man right, Jen, so although I can shop for England, art shopping isn't really my kinda thing.”

She mutters something under her breath before sighing. “Fine, let’s go. I think I have everything.”

“I think you have several of everything,” I muse.

She glances at me, unamused, and turns to the counter. I shrug to myself, pick up the basket, and set it on the counter. I tap my foot as the guy behind the counter rings it through.

A loud bang makes me jump, and I turn with my hand pressed against my chest.

“Holy macaroni with extra cheese!” Jen exclaims. “What was that?”

“Sorry,” a voice mutters. “Dropped the box of brushes.”

A shadow moves from behind the counter, and the person ringing Jen's stuff through shakes his head, muttering about “incompetent pretty boys.” I purse my lips when I recognise the pretty boy.

“Adrian.” I smirk. He looks at me with his hazel eyes, and his floppy blonde hair. He really is a pretty boy in every definition of the word. His hair is always perfectly styled, and if he has – God forbid – a spot, he won't leave the house. Seriously. I've been to his place with Jayna, and the guy has more facial creams and spot solutions than Mum and I put together.

“Lexy!” He grins at me, and leans against the counter. I raise an eyebrow. I know that smile. “Little birdie tells me you brought yourself a real boyfriend back from Devon.”

I lean against the counter in a movement that mimics his, and smile. “That little birdie told you right.”

“I'm surprised. You didn’t mention it at the weekend. Or wait, was it that Alec guy?” His eyebrows quirk slightly. “What was it, us city boys not good enough for you? Did you need a country bumpkin to keep life exciting?”

Jen coughs behind me.

“No, not at all,” I reply. “City boy or country boy, that doesn't matter. What matters is that Alec isn't a pig-headed, egotistical asshole like most of you city boys.”

Jen snorts.

“C'mon, Lex, you know I'm not like that. You just never gave me a chance.”

“I never wanted or needed to give you a chance, Ade.” I straighten, and grab some of Jen's bags off the counter. “There was no chance we'd ever happen. You're a friend, not a boyfriend. Accept it.”

I spin and follow Jen towards the door.

“You never know what could happen, Lexy,” Adrian calls after me. “I hope your little farmer can handle it in the big city.”

“Is that a threat?” My eyes narrow as I look back at him, anger spreading through my body.

“Oh, no!” Jen shakes her head and drops her bags, storming across the shop. She stops right in front of Adrian, jabbing her finger in his chest. “Listen here you little shitbag. I don't give a crap if you're a city boy or a goddamn alien, no-one threatens my best mates. Do you have that? Lay one finger on that “country bumpkin” and
this
country bumpkin will string your fucking balls from Big Ben. Are we understood?”

The guy behind the counter snickers, and Adrian looks to me. “She's a firecracker, this one, Lexy. Where did you find her?”

Jen grabs his shirt. “I'll firecrack your ass to the bottom of the River Thames if you don't shut your pretty boy mouth.” She steps back and looks him up and down. “Good thing you never went there, Lex.” She turns, glancing over her shoulder at him. “He's probably as physically mature as he is mentally, if you get my drift.”

She grabs her bags to the sound of the other guy's laughter. I follow her from the shop, fighting the urge to let my laughter erupt from me.

“Let it go, honey, let it go!” Jen leans against the wall around the corner and bends over, her shoulders shaking.

I put the bags down, resting my hands on my knees, and let the laughter take over. My stomach hurts, and tears form in my eyes. Oh, yeah, Jen won't have any problems surviving in the city. Her attitude is probably more city than the city itself.

I wipe my eyes after a few minutes, composing myself. We grab our bags and start making our way back to the underground station.

Jen might be able to handle herself in a city, but was Adrian right? Would Alec be able to?

I remember how fiercely he fought for me, for us, in Devon. But he had no competition.

I know Adrian. I know if he says Alec had better watch out, Alec had better watch out. Adrian knows too many people for it to be brushed off. One sentence from him is all it would take to start rumours circulating around the circle I used to run with. Those rumours reach my brother's circle, and they've reached Alec.

I bite the inside of my cheek. For the first time, I'm wondering if Alec coming to London was really the best idea.

~

ALEC

“How was your first day?” Lexy asks.

“It was okay.” I shrug. “It's work, y'know? It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but it's much better now I've seen you.”

I step towards her, and slip my arms around her waist. Her arms go around my waist in return, and she buries her face in my chest. I breathe in that strawberries and cream scent that's so Lexy. We stand for a moment, just holding each other. I try to pull back, and she tightens her grip around my waist.

“Princess?” I say softly. “What's wrong?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing.” She sighs. “I just wanted a cuddle.”