Page 26 of I Knew You Were Trouble

He finishes making two coffees and slides one towards me. He’s even made a heart design in the froth the way experienced baristas do.

‘Thanks,’ I say with a smile.

Willem sips from his mug and I do the same. It’sdelicious– strong, but not burnt, hot, but not scalding…

Like Willem. The thought arrives without permission, and I shush it, annoyed at myself. Or maybe it’s just my mind trying to distract me.

‘So, Margot…’ Willem begins. ‘You felt like you need reinforcements?’

‘Reinforce— Uh, yes. I suppose so.’

I smile at him weakly, then sip my coffee, not wanting to explain further. Besides, I’m not sure he’d believe that I’d intended to come alone until Margot invited herself.

I look over and he’s still watching me, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He really needs to stop that. It’s unnerving.

And between his made-to-order coffees and Margot making herself at home, anyone would think we’re here for a friendly visit. Any moment now, he’ll put on a playlist and fire up the barbecue.

‘I understand,’ he says. For a moment, I’m not sure what he means, but then I realise we’re still talking about Margot. ‘I was shaking in my boots when I came to see you.’

‘You were not,’ I say, laughing spontaneously.

‘Iwas.’

I eye him disbelievingly, my mouth quirking at his wide-eyed, innocent look. ‘Mmm… like butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth,’ I say with a suspicious shake of my head.

His eyebrows lift – he clearly gets that I’m teasing him.

‘Something’s just occurred to me…’ I say. ‘Your English – right down to the vernacular – it’sflawless.’

‘Thank you,’ he replies, as if he’s not sure it’s a compliment.

‘I mean it and you’re welcome. But why is that exactly? I know the Dutch study English at school but, seriously, yours is excellent.’

‘I did a student exchange to America in high school. A lot of Dutch people do. Ady did as well.’

‘Oh, wow. And where did you go?’

‘So-Cal, dude. I even learned how to surf,’ he replies with a remarkably good American accent. It makes me laugh again, easing the tension even further.

‘I suppose there’s not much opportunity for that in the Netherlands – surfing.’

‘You suppose correctly.’

‘And what about Ady? Where was her exchange?’

‘Chicago.’

‘Oh, I’ve always wanted to go there. I was obsessed with John Hughes films when I was a teenager. I had a massive crush on Ferris Bueller. I blame Margot for that – she led me astray, like always.’

He smiles.

‘And is it really like that – high school in America?’

‘Like it is in films?’

‘Yes,’ I say, propping my chin on my hand and leaning in.

He scrunches his nose – adorable (gah!) – and shakes his head. ‘It’s just normal. Although, I did like the pep rallies.’

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