Page 97 of Short Stack 3

“I’ve gained the impression on this holiday that Arlo can be head over heels just walking along the street.” I laugh, and she smiles at me. “How’s Tom with them being together?”

I shake my head. “He’s fine now he knows Jack is serious about his brother. If he hadn’t been, Tom would have been distinctlylessfine. You know what he’s like.”

“Veryprotective.”

I eye my boyfriend. “And yet still odd this holiday. He keeps pausing as though he’s going to say something really important. He did it ten minutes ago.”

Something seems to be amusing her. “And what did he say?”

“He told me that when you die in Amsterdam, you have to be winched out of a window.” I shake my head. “I think he meant if you live in one of the canal houses, the coffin has to come out of the window. Otherwise, Amsterdam would be full of cranes schlepping dead people about.”

Tom picks up a handful of drinks, and catching my gaze, he nods towards where Arlo and Jack are sitting. I grin, and he offers me his crooked smile, which always makes my knees a bit wobbly. It comprises twenty per cent mischief and eighty per cent sweetness, and it’s my kryptonite.

Freddy comes over to us, carrying a tray of drinks.

“How many shots have you bought?” I say. “Freddy, there’s only six of us on this holiday.”

“You’re only young once.”

“And if we lapse into an alcoholic coma, we’ll stay that way.”

Freddy drops a kiss on Diana’s nose. “Alright?”

She twinkles up at him. “Perfect, babe.”

He gives her a wide grin and makes his way outside to join Arlo, Jack, and Tom.

Diana sighs. “I’m going to marry that man.”

I inhale and end up choking on my own spit. “Are you?”

She winks at me. “Eventually. I’m not the type of woman who finds someone as amazing as Freddy and lets him go.”

“I’m so glad you said that. He deserves someone who’ll love him because Freddy is pretty fucking epic.”

“Well, I’m the woman for the job.”

I look out the window at Tom sitting talking to his brother and Jack. He’s waving his arms around, and he has a funny, almost sad look on his face. My heart starts to hammer. Even as I watch, Arlo leans over and hugs his brother.

“Oh my god, what’s wrong with Tom?” I breathe.

“What?” Diana looks over. “Oh, he’s fine.”

“What’s going on?”

She hesitates and then gives a graceful shrug. “I’m far too drunk to answer that one. Shall we join them?”

Tom is now banging on the table to emphasise whatever he’s saying. Arlo and Jack are watching him with smiles tugging on their mouths.

“Yes, I think we should,” I say slowly.

Outside, the air is biting, and I can definitely feel the booze affecting me now. My face is hot, and I’m swaying slightly. All around me are twinkling lights, and for a second, I wonder if my vision has gone, but then I realise it’s the Christmas decorations swaying in the winter breeze and the lights from the houses opposite reflecting on the canal.

“You are very right about everything, Arlo,” Tom is saying as we near them.

“About what?” I ask as we get to the table. “What’s Arlo right about?”

Tom stares at me for a long second and then gets ponderously to his feet. He staggers a bit and then steps backwards. “I’m fine,” he says reassuringly.

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