Page 120 of You Float My Boat

‘Can you help me up at least?’ Her hand shot in the air for me to grab.

I briefly wondered what I’d do if I’d actually been given the choice in the matter. I mean, I wasn’t a total dick but I also really didn’t want to see, speak to, or touch Evie. I definitely debated it long enough that Evie started waving her arm at me, and eventually the better part of my conscience won.

‘Thank you,’ she smiled, her tears drying as she wobbled about on her other foot before she found her balance. Then I realized she was waiting for me to collect all her books.

‘Why weren’t they in your backpack?’ I asked, gathering them together, and piling them back into her bag. Herzippedbag.

‘I was in a rush.’

I stood back up and held the bag out to her, at which point I realized we were not about to part ways.

‘I can’t carry that, silly. I need you to help me.’ She grabbed my arm again as if to illustrate the point.

My eyes snapped to the clock as it struck the hour. Ugh, I know it was only a study session but I’d definitely hear it from Gordon if I was late. I mean, Iwaslate. I was going to hear it.

‘Come on,’ I slung the bag over my shoulder. ‘Let’s go, there’s a first-aid nurse in the building, I’ll take you to her.’

‘Oh, thank you,’ she replied, this time wrapping her arm around my waist. I could feel her fingernails digging into me. ‘I know I don’t deserve you being nice to me, but honestly thank you.’

Her words came out in a stutter as her breath caught, and I let out a deep sigh.

‘You’re welcome. You’ll be fine.’

‘Do you remember how clumsy I always was? Remember that time I walked into the doorframe at home, and had a bump on my head for a week.’

‘Um –’

‘I went to the summer ball with a purple eye …’ she pressed, leaning into me as we walked/hopped down the path. At least it wasn’t that far, though far enough considering Evie now seemed to be wrapped around me.

‘Oh, sure. Yes,’ I replied, though I actually had no idea what she was talking about.

‘You were always saving me from some mishap or another. And now here you are again. We’re quite the pair, don’t you think?’

‘Mmm,’ I mumbled, as she moved her hand up to grip my shoulder so she could hop up a step.

‘So, how’s your philosophy group going?’

‘Good. Gordon’s cracking the whip. But we’ve got a great, hardworking group. We’ll come away with a first. I’m actually on the way there now.’

‘Oh, right. You meet today. We meet on Tuesdays. I’m so sorry I’m keeping you,’ she replied, her tone almost martyr-like, and very un-Evie. ‘You can leave me here if you like. I’m sure I can manage to hop the rest of the way.’

‘It’s fine, we’re nearly there.’

‘Bet your group is so fun. We always had fun revising together, didn’t we?’

Again, for the life of me I didn’t know what she was talking about. I couldn’t recall any time we’d ever donework together. We went to different schools for one, so we could have only revised during the holidays, but I couldn’t remember that either.

Maybe I’d blocked out the memory.

‘Do you have any plans for Easter?’ she asked, while I was trying to hurry her along. It would be much quicker if I carried her, and I was seriously debating picking her up, but the thought of my face being that close to hers was enough to stop me.

Maybe I could give her a piggy back.

‘No, the Boat Race is the weekend after, so I’ll be here. Might go home for the day if Coach lets us.’

‘How are your mum and dad? Say hi to them for me.’

‘Sure.’