Page 41 of Endgame

‘He said a lot. He really got into it, so when it comes to the real thing I know he’s going to keep me alive.’

‘I can keep you alive too!’

‘Not when teenage cheerleading zombies are involved.’

‘She jumped out from nowhere!’

I can’t help my laughter.

‘Oh look, there’s Rowan! Let’s go and say hi!’ Caleb says loudly.

‘No!’ I immediately start searching the platform, panicked.

‘Ha! I thought he was your apocalypse partner!’

‘He is, but all’s not lost yet!’

‘That’s good because— Ah, tube’s here.’

We inch forward and Caleb holds on to me as we attempt to squeeze into the carriage. I step into a space made for someone a quarter of the size as the Londoners around me shift and adjust.

‘I’ll get the next door. There’s a gap there.’ He makes sure I’m in safely, then disappears. I watch to make sure he gets on, and prepare to step off just in case he doesn’t. I can just about see his navy-blue hood and jacket combo make it on, in between a sea of bodies smashed together as the tube doors close. I am pushed against the poor gentleman in front of me.

‘Sorry,’ we say at the same time, half smiling with apology. I keep my eyes trained on that hood, ignoring just how close everyone around me is. As the train gets less busy at every station, more of Caleb becomes visible, until I see his beautiful eyes and cautious smile. He starts to move towards me while I am still pinned by my neighbour. After a few stops, Caleb is much closer and we are nearly at a massive interchange that will almost empty the carriage. I’m relieved that we will be able to get off the tube for a few minutes as we change lines to get to Waterloo. I take a look at Caleb and mouth, ‘one more stop’. He laughs and mouths my words back to me and that’s when it hits me. It’s a tiny gesture but it sparks a realisation. He’s still here with me and I am most definitely still here with him. Through Jasper, the move to Singapore, disappointing ourselves, disappointing each other, our insecurities, external interference and confusing emotions. We’re still here. Together. Refusing to let go. I gently push against the gentleman beside me and duck under the arm of my other neighbour, moving closer to him.

‘Sorry,’ I whisper repeatedly as I manoeuvre past moaning Londoners to get to him.

‘What are you doing?’ Caleb mouths at me, perplexed. All I do is smile at him. We hit the interchange before I get to him. As the carriage empties, we reach each other, and he takes my hand to step off the tube. I don’t follow, instead forcing him to stop and face me.

‘Can we stay out a little longer?’ I ask. It’s still early and I don’t want to leave him yet.

‘Sure. I’m supposed to be going over to Em and Tim’s tonight. We’re going to the pub – do you want to come? I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable or?—’

‘I’d love to.’

Caleb keeps our hands interlocked as we step off the tube to change lines and head for Hampstead station.

‘Ariella! What a lovely surprise.’ Em shrieks, then pulls me towards her. I like Em a lot and I reciprocate the lovely welcoming hug she gives me.

‘Em!’ I laugh.

‘You have been a busy young lady! I’ve been stalking you on Instagram and you’re a fashion icon, an industry leader…’

‘It’s cold out here. Can you fangirl inside?’ Caleb pleads.

‘Sure, Bad Boy Black,’ Em says and guffaws, making Caleb groan. She leads us into their cosy living room, where Jack and Tim are relaxing on the couch with a couple of drinks.

‘Ariella!’ they say at the same time before getting up to hug me, making me feel like I belong.

‘What would you like to drink?’ Tim asks as he lets go.

‘Please may I have some water?’

‘There’s champagne? We’re celebrating Caleb’s imminent return to Singapore and being free of his nuisance,’ Jack teases Caleb as he hugs and holds on to me.

‘That’s enough hugging for you,’ Caleb says, shooing Jack away.

I settle into the comfort of Em and Tim’s home. They may be Caleb’s friends but I feel like they are mine too.

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