Page 63 of Summer, in Between
‘That’s pushing it.’As we’ve crossed paths more and more, we’ve settled into what could never be called a friendship, that’s too much.At first, they were awkward around me, clearly uncomfortable and contrived, like their mothers had told them they’d better be on their best behaviour.‘I think they’ve moved from complete obliviousness of my existence, to tolerating my presence through to maybe even saying “Cat?Paulie’s chick?Yeah, she’s all right, for a Stuck-Up Bitch.”’
‘Ooh, so once a Neanderthal, always a Neanderthal?’
‘Oh my God, yes.’I adjust the pillows behind my back.‘But, and believe me, this hurts to say out loud, I’m seeing another side to them.’They’re the group of mates I’ve witnessed from afar for years, vulgar, undoubtedly, but also funny and intensely loyal.‘There’s Ant,’ I continue.‘You’d love him, Sal, he reminds me so much of JB.He’s considerate, friendly and easy to talk to.Just a nice guy, you know?Then there’s Cavey, older, cagier.He calls himself Paul’s best friend, but there’s something about him that I can’t quite get.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘He reminds me of the sheepdog in the old cartoons,’ I say.‘He’s hard to read, he barks every now and then to keep the sheep under submission and to ward away predators.And I get the feeling that he really, really doesn’t like me.’
‘Who wouldn’t like you?’
‘Right?’
‘Maybe he thinks you’re stealing his best friend,’ says Sal.
‘That’s a bit dramatic for a fling, don’t you think?’
‘According to Em, it’s more than a fling.She thinks you’re going to get married and have his babies.Little beautiful walking surfer gods with firecracker tempers.’
‘Wow, it’s not like Em to exaggerate, is it?’I roll my eyes.‘Trust me, it’s a fling.How’s it going to work when school goes back and we’re doing five hours of homework a night?And you really think a beautiful walking surfer god isn’t going to get sick of hanging out with a boring schoolgirl?’The muscles in my legs feel tight, the tendons in my knees straining.I uncross my legs and shuffle to sit on the edge of my bed.‘Did I mention the beautiful walking surfer god thing?Sal, he has girls throwing themselves at him everywhere he goes.Even the mums on the beach check him out, and then I get these looks like “girl, what the hell is he doing with someone like you?”Anyway, what about next year when we move to the city?’
‘Cat, stop.’
‘What?’
‘Next year is next year.We’ll worry about that then.And enough with the self-deprecation.’
‘Self-deprec-nothing.I’m serious, Sal, you remember this guy?He’s next level.He’s one of those annoying beautiful people that’s as nice on the inside.Ugh.’
‘You’re next level, Cat.It’s so shitty that you don’t see it.’
‘Whatever.Enough about me, tell me about you, what have you been doing?How’s Char?’
‘Char is amazing.Let’s just say you’re not the only one indulging in a spot of sexy time between holiday homework.’
‘Sal, you and Char were sexy timing long before holiday homework.’I smirk.‘You almost needed surgical separation at the end of year assembly.’
‘True, and I regret nothing.’
Suddenly, Tommy runs into my bedroom, cheering.
‘Cat, Cat, he did it!’
‘Did what?’
‘Paul got Mum’s telescope working again, come see!’
‘Tommy, say hello to Sal.Sal, hold on, I’ll put you on speaker.’
‘Sal!When are you coming over?’Tommy takes the phone from my hand and almost sits on me in his excitement to talk to one of his favourite people.
‘What?He’s there now?He’s at your house?’says Sal, her voice tinny through the speaker.‘Tommy, get your sister to go bask in the glory that is her boyfriend.Cat, tell him Em and I want to meet him, especially since we’re his babies’ non-biological aunties.’
‘Ha ha, very funny.Say hi to Char for me.Love you!Miss you!’
‘Love you too.And Cat?Enough self-deprecation.Seriously.’
In the living room, Mum is peering through the telescope flanked by the Matty.Paul’s at the base of the stairs.
