Page 36 of When We Were Young

The structure had a board beneath it. ‘You take that end. Let’s lift on three.’

The sculpture slid a little until they levelled it.

‘Trust me to take something microscopic and make it massive,’ she said. ‘I’ll go backwards, as I know the way.’

As she turned this way and that to see behind her, Emily’s oversized sweater slipped from her shoulder and Will couldn’t drag his gaze from that triangle of perfect collarbone.

They tackled the set of steps back down to the car park slowly, and as they neared the van, Emily called out to a guy who was smoking nearby. ‘Hey Scott, give us a hand!’

Scott jogged over. He was dressed in a trendy skater brand – the trainers alone must have cost a fortune – but the entire outfit was splattered with paint.

‘Can you take Will’s end so he can open the van?’

Cigarette still hanging from his lips, Scott gave Will an upward nod before swapping places with him. Will swung the back doors open, and the three of them moved the sculpture inside like an injured animal.

‘I’d better stay in the back with it,’ said Emily. ‘Scott, do you mind coming to show Will the way?’

‘Sure.’ Scott took a last drag and flicked the cigarette away.

‘Will you be okay in there?’ asked Will. She nodded, so he shut her in.

As Scott climbed into the van beside him, Will was gutted. He’d been looking forward to riding with Emily. It was the reason he’d come all this way.

‘It’s not far. Go left out of here,’ said Scott. ‘So, you’re the boyfriend’s brother? The songwriter.’

‘Yeah.’

‘She’s always playing that song… what’s it called? “Fever”?’

‘Yeah, “Fever”.’ Will felt a sudden thrill. Not only that a stranger knew the name of one of his songs, but also that Emily had been listening to his music. Aidan must have given her a demo tape.

‘When’s your next gig? A few of us want to come along.’

‘Nothing planned at the mo, but I’ll let Emily know.’

‘Get in the right-hand lane here.’

A robotic melody rang from the cup holder – the mobile phone work gave him for sorting deliveries. It made him jump every time it went off. That would be Nigel, wanting to know where the hell he was. He ignored it.

‘Up here on the left,’ said Scott. ‘You can pull in there.’

Emily and the sculpture were both unharmed when Will opened the doors. She scrambled out and stretched.

‘Do you need help taking it inside?’ asked Will.

‘No, we’ve got it from here.’ Unexpectedly, she reached over and hugged him. ‘Thank you so much. I owe you one.’ He caught the scent of coconut in her hair.

Will cleared his throat. ‘No problem.’

He helped them slide the board out of the van and opened the door to the building for them.

‘See you soon!’ she called, walking backwards, and disappearing into a crowd of students.

He jumped in the van and checked the phone – two missed calls and a text from Nigel: Get back now. Delivery for Canbury.

Canbury Events was Izzy’s company. He turned the key and crunched into gear.

This could be awkward.

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