Page 69 of Wild Swimming at Croftwood Lake
It was dark when she woke. She heard the front door open and then Archie called up the stairs.
‘Come up!’ she called, snuggling under the covers to wait for him.
‘Oh, my love,’ he said, sitting on the bed next to her, his hand automatically feeling her forehead for a fever. ‘Are you still feeling poorly?’
‘I feel okay, actually. I’m just a bit tired.’
‘Have you eaten yet?’
‘No, and I’m starving. Have you?’
He shook his head. ‘I had a sandwich earlier. Mama’s gone to her knitting circle tonight and they were having pizza delivered.’
‘I can’t imagine Constance tucking into pizza,’ Nora giggled.
‘Neither can I. Let me conjure up some food for us while you get up,’ he said, patting the duvet in the general area of her arm. ‘Unless you’d like a tray?’
‘No. I’m getting up.’ She pulled Archie down for a hug. ‘I’ve missed you.’
‘I’ve missed you too.’
‘I miss being in Dorset together. I loved that so much.’
‘I know.’ He kissed her nose. Nora didn’t blame him. She’d avoid a proper kiss too if she were him.
When Archie had disappeared back downstairs, she got up and pulled on some jogging bottoms, a voluminous hoody and her favourite pair of fluffy socks and ventured down after him.
‘Have I got any food?’ She sat at the kitchen table while Archie busied himself at the stove.
‘Will beans and cheese on toast do?’ he asked over his shoulder.
‘Ooh, yes. Lovely.’
A few minutes later, Archie presented two plates of steaming hot beans on toast with grated cheese that was melting into the beans.
‘I always forget how much I enjoy beans on toast,’ said Nora. ‘It’s delicious.’
‘Any plans for the weekend?’
‘No, apart from hanging out with you. Maybe we could go out for brunch with Hilary and Toby.’
‘Actually, I need to talk to you about the weekend. My sister and her family are coming to stay.’
‘Oh, brilliant,’ Nora said, smiling enthusiastically. ‘Well, why don’t we all go?’ She’d been looking forward to meeting the elusive Betsy.
Archie shook his head. ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea.’
‘Why?’
‘Because she’s not like you. She won’t fit in with what we’ve arranged. She’d want to change the plans to suit her and the whole thing would turn into a nightmare for all of us.’
Nora was surprised to hear Archie talk like this. As an only child, she’d always longed for a brother or sister and so found it odd when siblings didn’t get on. He’d mentioned that his sister was high maintenance, but she’d thought he was joking.
‘What do you usually do when she visits?’
‘Survive.’
‘Archie. It can’t be that bad.’
