Page 96 of Short Stack 3

I consider the question. “No, not at all. The tale is fascinating in itself.” I wrinkle my nose and lean closer. “But I have to tell you I am going to take the monkey story as the truth.”

He strokes a strand of my hair back. “Why?”

“Because I like it better, of course.” He laughs, and I explain, “I like the idea of naughty monkeys swinging around here and then going somewhere nice to live out their lives rather than being cramped up on a ship where they wouldn’t have had room to move.”

He grabs my hand and drops a kiss on my fingers. “When I first met you, I never guessed you had such a streak of sentimentality.”

“Just make sure you don’t tell anyone.”

“My lips are sealed.”

“It’s your fault anyway.”

“Why?”

“I’ve obviously caught it from you and your family. You’re contagious.”

He laughs, the merry sound drawing a few smiles from the people nearby. “That’s the first time it’s been said. Is that a good or a bad thing?”

I shake my head, but I know my eyes are soft. “Tom, anything with you is good. Don’t you know that yet? You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He opens his mouth and then hesitates. “What?” I ask.

“Bee—”

There’s a sudden sound of glass shattering, and we both look over to see the barman laughing as he clears away a broken bottle. When I look back at Tom, he’s watching me, his eyes warm. “What were you going to say?” I ask.

He smiles. “It’ll keep.”

“Will it?”

“Oh yes.”

“And will you tell me at some point what is actually going on?”

His eyes are mysterious, full of unexplained thoughts and feelings. Then he blinks, and all that remains is love and affection. “I can promise that you willdefinitelybe the first to know.”

I feel a tingle of excitement. I’ve always hated surprises. I like to know the why and where of everything. But after a year with Tom, I’ve come to know that his surprises are always amazing, maybe because they come from a place of love and caring and a desire to make life special for me. If only he knew that he does that just by being himself.

I grin at him. “Keep your secrets, then.”

“For now, anyway,” he says serenely.

Chapter Three

“Tom is acting weird.”

“How can you tell?” Diana asks as we lean against a post, watching Tom and Freddy order drinks at the bar.

Even from this distance, I can see my boyfriend has a big smile on his face and is listing slightly, like a ship about to go down with all the flags flying. Mind you, I can’t criticise. It’s been an evening of bar-hopping interspersed with touristy things and then more bar-hopping, and I can feel the effects on my own balance.

“I just know,” I say, smiling at her as she leans into me with her head on my shoulder.

We’re back in the Jordaan neighbourhood in a pretty little bar by the canal. Fairy lights are strung haphazardly everywhere, so the wood-panelled rooms glow like jewellery boxes. “Last Christmas” is booming from the speaker, and everyone around us is happy and loud.

Through the window, I can see a little patio belonging to the bar. Arlo and Jack are out there, sitting at a table and cuddling under a blanket.

Diana follows my gaze. “Thank god Jack got rid of that nasty cockgoblin, Steven.”

I snort. “It’s been a long while coming. Jack and Arlo will go very well together. Arlo gives him confidence and loud love, and we all know he’s been head over heels for Jack for ages.”

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