Page 4 of Lily, Unwritten

Then we heard the thunder that was the footsteps of two small children as they ran down the hallway and tiny fists began to bang on our door. Zack pulled on shorts and a t-shirt, kissing me before he spoke. “I’ll take them downstairs. You get a shower or more sleep if you want.” I smiled to myself as I heard him pick them up and spin them around. The two girls giggled with joy before badgering him to make pancakes for breakfast. I lay back on the pillows, content. It was six-thirty now… I’d gone a whole hour and a half without thinking about Luke.

After such a start to the day, I couldn’t fall back asleep. I jumped into a cool shower and threw on a dark blue sundress, leaving my hair to dry naturally. As I padded down the stairs, I was greeted by more laughter from the kitchen, then the sight of two small girls with Nutella smeared across their faces, plus half a jug of pancake mix spilt all over the worktop. Zack was over by the hob. He held one of Cassie’s favourite Le Creuset frying pans as he flipped a pancake into the air. I could see the last attempt on the floor next to him, which had, no doubt, caused the hysterical laughter. I was taken aback for a moment by how good he looked; it was as though I hadn’t properly looked at him these last few weeks. Mr tall, dark and handsome was looking divine - his skin tanned, his defined biceps visible through his t-shirt. He’d definitely awoken my sex drive that morning.

I ruffled the girls’ soft, baby hair as I walked past them. Heading to Zack, my arms wrapped around him as he placed the pan down. “Didn’t expect to see you up yet.”

“A beautiful day like this and I get to spend it with you. Why would I waste a minute?” I smiled, and we locked eyes, zoned out in each other. We weren’t fixed, but that had been a good step closer.

“What time’s Mummy home?” asked Ruby with a toothy, chocolatey smile.

“Later this afternoon, sweetheart,” I replied. “Are you missing her?”

She shrugged. “A little. She’ll go mad that you’re letting Emilia lick Nutella out of the jar.” She pointed at her little sister.

I whizzed around and plucked the now almost empty glass jar from her warm, pudgy hands. Please don’t let her throw up after all that! “Well, I guess we better go to the shops and buy a new one, hey?” I said, as I tossed it into the recycling bin.

The day was just as hot, the heatwave not abating, but we were sheltered in the shadows of the large oak trees that lined both sides of Cassie’s road. A soft breeze danced around us as we held hands and walked. I smiled at the little girls who skipped a couple of steps ahead of us, singing made up lyrics to something they’d heard on the radio. I grabbed my phone to snap a picture and sent it off to Cassie.

Proof of life

Haha! Are they behaving?

They’re angels! I mean they get up ridiculously early and they never stop moving and they eat enough for four adults, but apart from that, angels!

Everything OK with Zack? Progress?

Cassie knew things hadn’t exactly been back to normal in the bedroom. I glanced up at Zack before I replied to the message with one hand, whilst he squeezed my other.

The Eagle has landed… twice

About bloody time too! More of a sparrow here but nevermind!

I spluttered with laughter, causing Zack to look down at me with a quizzical smile. “I guess that’s Cassie, then? Should I even ask what you two are discussing?”

I shook my head, chuckling as I slid the phone back into my bag. “Best not.”

Once in the supermarket, I was happy to let the girls take all the time in the world to choose an ice lolly. It was beautifully chilled in the freezer aisle, I lingered as long as possible without arousing suspicion.

“We’ve given them way too much sugar.” I said to Zack, as guilt burrowed away in my belly.

“It’s one weekend, they’ll be back on couscous tomorrow.” He winked, which awoke all the butterflies within me. “God, it’s cold here, it’s amazing.”

“You’re amazing.” I smiled coyly as our arms swung backwards and forwards in a slow arc.

“Nope, you are.” He pressed a quick kiss to my lips. This was like third or fourth date territory again, it felt good.

“Is it still OK to go see my mum and dad before we set off home?” I asked. My eyes flicked between him and the girls. “I’ll buy some ingredients now and bake them a carrot cake, it’s dad’s favourite.”

“Of course, be rude to be this close and not say hi. Plus, I love your carrot cake too.” Zack responded, which set off another twinge of guilt as I thought back to all the time I’d spent in this town with Luke and never visited them once. Never even told them I was here; it would’ve been too complicated.

As we queued at the checkout, Zack’s phone rang. He headed outside to answer, leaving me with the girls. Ruby and Emilia held onto me patiently until it was our turn, at which point they both rushed to grab a bag, ready to pack. I looked down into my handbag, searching for my purse, which always ended up buried under a mountain of stuff.

Then I felt eyes on me.

Goosebumps popped up along my arms. I shivered as a chill ran through me. The automatic doors at the front of the shop swished closed, I couldn’t see anyone suspicious. I took a deep breath, and my olfactory senses went into overdrive. My mind was assaulted with images – breathing in the aroma from Luke’s pillow, being nuzzled into his neck, the scent of his t-shirt as I wore it around the house after a lazy, sexy morning.

My hand shook as I paid the bill. Had he been in the shop? Why else would I be breathing in his smell? I knew it was a risk being in my old town, so close to him, but Cassie had told him she’d be away, there was no risk of him popping around. Besides, I couldn’t avoid the place where my best friend and my parents lived forever. My best friend, singular, that still felt strange.

I surveyed the street as we strolled outside, the heat oppressive after the coolness of the store. Zack laughed loudly down the phone, he obviously hadn’t seen Luke - if it even had been him, or it would be a very different scene out here now. I unwrapped the fruity ice lollies the girls had chosen; the wrappers clinging to my fingers as I tried to deposit them in the bin, still glancing around.

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