Page 43 of Starting Over in Starshine Cove
“Why specifically 15?”
“Because it’s gotBaby I Don’t Careon it by Transvision Vamp – that’s brilliant to dance to!”
“You know exactly which songs are on eachNow That’s What I Call Musicalbum?”
“Don’t be daft – only from the first one through to about the thirtieth… I gave up after that.”
He shakes his head and laughs, then helps me clear the table. I throw Bear a small slice of carrot, which he snatches from the air with way too much enthusiasm. I think he looks disappointed when he realises what it is, and I give his ears a rub to compensate.
I wrap up the leftover pizza and pop it in the fridge, and Zack stacks the dishwasher while I prepare more snacks. Heaven forbid we run out of snacks – the sky would probably fall in.
It feels strangely quiet in here now that the kids have all left, and I tell myself off when I feel a twinge of nervousness. I have nothing to feel nervous about – I am in my own home, with a man who I enjoy spending time with. I might have the occasional less-than-pure thought about him, but that doesn’t mean anything should be awkward between us.
It’s a good pep talk, and it almost works – except when we make our way into the living room, and he sits next to me on the sofa, I almost squeal out loud when his thigh brushes against me. It’s not a weird place to sit – the sofa is right across from the TV and the best place to view it from. It’s just that I maybe expected him to take one of the armchairs instead.
I shuffle up a bit, and put a bowl of popcorn in between us as a chaperone. I press the button on the side of the sofa that makes the recliner bit come up, and he looks delighted as he does the same. Simple pleasures.
“What do you want to watch?” he asks, as I pass him a blanket. It’s not cold at all, but there’s just something cosy about having a blanket while you watch the telly isn’t there? It’s more about snuggle value than warmth.
“Something really scary.”
“Why? Are you hoping I scream like a girl?”
“Well, that would be an amusing extra bonus – but mainly because I really love horror movies, but I’m too much of a scaredy cat to watch them when I’m on my own.”
“Surely these guys would protect you?” he says, gesturing behind to my cardboard cut-outs of Chris, Henry and Daniel.
“You’d think so, but they’re incredibly passive for action heroes.”
“Lazy swines. So, what was your favourite scary film from when we were kids? I remember being absolutely petrified byThe Shining.”
“Oh God, yes,” I reply, grimacing. “I didn’t even see that until I was about sixteen and it was horrifying. I was very partial toPoltergeist– still am, actually. PlusThe Lost Boys– I loved that one! AndThe Fly– the effects look dated now, but back in the day it was so frightening…”
“Yeah – especially that bit where all his flesh is disintegrating and his fly face emerges, and poor Geena Davis is screaming her head off! Still gives me the shivers now!”
“We could watch one of those, I suppose, for old times’ sake. Or there’s the sequel toThe Shining– I haven’t seen that, have you?”
He agrees, and within minutes we are settled and ready. The lights are low for extra scariness, and we’re both comfy beneath our blankets, ready to be terrified. We are not disappointed – it is a tense watch. There are lots of creepy bits and a few jump scares, and we keep shocking Bear by letting out our own yelps.
Once it’s over, Zack says: “Wow. That was… intense. Can we watch something else now? Something mellow and nice to help my heart rate steady?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know… something that doesn’t feature evil immortals driving around in camper vans sucking out people’s life essence, maybe?”
“Um, how do you feel aboutPaddington? I mean, Nicole Kidman is pretty scary in it, but mainly it’s nice?”
“Perfect. Just what Doctor Sleep ordered.”
We both take what is politely called a ‘comfort break’ – in my case about my millionth, because, you know, three kids and middle-age. I let Bear out to do the same, and laugh as he mooches around the garden, pushing an old football around with his nose for a while before deciding to just pee on it instead. It’s been a pleasant day, weather-wise, but I notice that it’s started to rain and a strong breeze is stirring the branches of the cherry trees. I’m extremely glad not to be spending the night in a tent.
I look up at the clock, and see that it is still only half past nine. It was a long movie, but we started early. I let Bear back in and stifle a yawn, realising that I am indeed pretty tired. I’m usually in bed by ten, because most mornings I am up bright and early opening the café.
“I’ll just stay for another half hour or so,” Zack announces when I walk back into the living room. “Get myself calm enough for the long walk back to the inn. Don’t know about you but I’m whacked.”
“I know, me too! I feel like if I do an especially slow blink it might turn into an eight-hour nap… not that I ever get those anymore.”
“You don’t sleep well?” he asks, as I sit down beside him.
