Page 47 of Don't Fall in Love (and how to break the rules)

“Yes,” said Philippa, with a smile that felt more polite than meaningful. “Perhaps.”

Chrissie picked up her book and pretended to read. The truth was that after last night, she could hardly keep the smile off her face, or the flashbacks from returning at the most inopportune moments. Maybe things would work out after all. No one was perfect, she knew that for certain, and taking a risk on Nisha, on their relationship, maybe even on love, was increasingly feeling like the right thing.

She could hear Nisha a few rows back, listening politely to a monologue from Hardev about the different classifications of driving licenses, and asking the occasional question. She clearly had better concentration skills than Chrissie did this morning.

They arrived back in Birmingham late afternoon, the coach pulling up outside the school where parents were milling about.

“Daddy!” shouted Dottie. “Mummy, look, Daddy is here! I didn’t know he was picking us up!”

Philippa plastered on a smile. “How lovely, darling. Come on now, get your things together.”

Tired children slowly stepped off the coach, talking to their parents about croissants and the Eiffel Tower and ice-cream and their dormitories. To listen to them, you’d think that sharing a room with their classmates had been the highlight of the trip. And perhaps it was, thought Chrissie to herself. She’d been an only child, so she could see why sharing a room with others would be exciting. She dreaded to think how many smuggled sweets the children had eaten after lights out each night.

Soon it was just Chrissie and Nisha. Philippa had gone home with Paul and Dottie, and Dan had left to meet a friend at the pub. “I don’t know how he has the energy,” said Nisha.

“Me neither,” said Chrissie, as the light faded and the streetlights began to come on.

“Do you know what I would really love to do right now?” asked Nisha, not even trying to stifle a yawn.

“Go on,” said Chrissie, enjoying the quiet intimacy between them as they gathered their own bags.

“It’s neither cool nor sexy.” Chrissie laughed, and Nisha continued. “But I’d love to just take you to my place, we could have showers, put joggies and hoodies on, order takeout and watch TV.”

Chrissie sighed. “That sounds like possibly the best idea you’ve ever had. Do you have enough loungewear for me?”

“Yes, although I suspect it will be too short for you.”

“Well, as it’s only you who’ll see me, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” replied Chrissie, smiling at Nisha.

“Good,” said Nisha.

“I do have one condition,” said Chrissie. Nisha raised her eyebrows to indicate she was listening. “There must be cuddling involved.”

Nisha held out her hand. “Deal,” she said, as Chrissie shook it. The warmth from Nisha’s hand felt good, like the promise of something still to come. The school trip was over, but their story was only just beginning.

Again.

Chapter Forty-Three

The Vine was busy, the Christmas decorations already dripping from the ceiling. “It’s a bit early for all this,” said Rae, meeting Chrissie with a kiss on her cheek.

“Never too early for Christmas,” replied Chrissie with a grin.

“You’re on good form,” said Rae, taking a seat.

“Well, yes, I guess so,” Chrissie agreed.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say that something happened on that school trip.” Rae had put their elbows on the table, and was giving their friend a hard stare.

“Ok,” said Chrissie, blushing, “it’s a fair cop.”

“You and Nisha?” said Rae.

“Me and Nisha. Oh Rae, honestly, I’m so happy. I know I said I had all those rules and I couldn’t break them, but I realised that you can’t live life by the same strict set of rules the whole time. You have to let your life breathe – like you let your body breathe in yoga.”

“Nice,” said Rae, “sounds amazing. And for what it’s worth, I’m really pleased for you. You deserve to be happy.”

“I used to think I didn’t deserve that, not after what I’d done,” Chrissie told her, picking up her phone to scan the QR code and scroll through the menu.

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