Page 98 of Oar Than Friends

‘Of course.’ His lips smacked against mine before he turned and opened his car door, ‘Come on, let’s get going. We’ve got a full day of training.’

I got out to find the other three waiting for us. ‘You guys, thank you. I can’t believe he persuaded you to get up for this.’

‘It beats revision,’ replied Alex.

Phoebe looped her arm through mine and dragged me to the boathouse. ‘We’re a rowing family, the four of us grew up on this river. We can help you through the steers and tough turns. It’s not coxed eights, but it’ll help you.’

I turned back to Oz, ‘This is beyond anything. Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome.’ He passed me a coxbox and headset, ‘Now tell me I’m cute.’

I grinned, ‘There will never be anyone as cute.’

‘Good. Now what are you waiting for? Guide us out of the boathouse.’

Every day over the past week Oz had surprised me. Being with him had surprised me, the ease with which we spent our days together felt like I’d known him my entire life, and the past week had been the first time in a long time I’d felt truly happy and content.

Which is why the dread I felt about going back to Cambridge sucked big time.

Being separated from Oz again sucked even more.

But the worst bit – I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back at all.

19. Arthur

(Happy New Year)

‘Where’s Kate?’ Alex threw the dice across the board and moved his little dog three spaces, looking up at me when I didn’t answer, like he hadn’t already asked the same question five minutes ago, and five minutes before that.

‘Still in the kitchen, stop complaining. She won’t be long.’

‘I’m hungry!’

‘You’re always hungry.’

‘That’s not true. Sometimes he’s asleep.’ My mother winked at him.

I picked the dice off the board and shook them. ‘And remember she’s been working all morning on this, so even if you don’t like her cooking, you’re going to like it. Understand?’

I hoped I’d made myself clear, but it only garnered an eye roll from my two idiot brothers.

‘Chill, Oz. We all know how to act,’ piped up Olly, who’d arrived about an hour ago because we always spent New Year’s Eve together, and this year was no different. ‘She’s probably just making burgers or hot dogs.’

‘Arthur, darling, I’m sure whatever it is will be great,’ my mother added, still wearing the same slightly baffled expression she’d had for most of the morning.

It had been a while since anyone but Marco had cooked for us, so no one really knew what to make of it. Phoebewas initially excited but now looked indifferent, the boys were clearly becoming impatient and hungry, even with the bottomless snacking they’d partaken in and Olly was, well, just being Olly.

I’d barely seen Kate since after breakfast when she announced she’d like to cook lunch, and we were to spend the rest of the day sitting outside by the roaring firepit, relaxing and enjoying each other’s company, because it was a beautiful, bright and very cold New Year’s Eve. She then promptly disappeared.

I’d managed to surmise it had required a trip into the village, but nothing more. The second I’d heard her return, I’d gone hunting and found her in the kitchen but was barred from entry and shooed off to hang out with my family.

She’d barely given me a kiss goodbye.

For the past three hours we’d been on the patio, which we’d found set up with thick cosy blankets and cushions, board games, plenty of snacks and an ice bucket filled with soft drinks, fresh juice, beer and a bottle of champagne, along with a scattering of New Year’s party poppers and hats. Olly was already wearing his hat.

We didn’t normally spend much time out here in the winter, but looking around at everyone snuggled up, including the dogs, I wondered why.

Throwing another log on the fire, I turned back to the house to see if Kate was on her way, but only saw Mister Gingerbreadman, Phoebe’s black lab, trotting towards us. It was a good sign though; he had a sixth sense for knowing when food was about to arrive.

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