Page 35 of Musical Games
‘No, of course not.’ She paused. ‘Zoe did.’ He flinched and she laughed. ‘It’s a joke!’
‘Ha, ha.’
‘It was actually Duncan.’
‘Very funny. Right, keep going but slowly.’
‘Or maybe it was your mum.’
‘Come to the left a bit. That’s it.’
‘Or maybe it was Mrs McCreedie. She said she’d pay good money to see you naked.’
He stopped and sighed. ‘Is this part of the trust exercise?’
‘What?’
‘The non-stop blethering?’
She giggled. ‘Not really. When I get nervous I can’t stop talking.’
‘You’renervous? I’m the one leading a household name blindfolded down the side of a… Stop! Okay, step down with your left foot. I’ve got you. Okay, now your right. This bit’s really uneven. Take small steps. I’ve got you.’
Sam stayed quiet as he gave his instructions. The more time passed, the more he could communicate with her through the subtle changes in the way he held her. Soon he hardly had to talk at all. It was like they were playing music again together. It was like they were one. She stopped, let go of his hand and pulled the scarf off. She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the light.
‘Now it’s your turn.’
‘Me?’
‘Of course. Trust works both ways.’
He looked down the slope. It was easier ground. But if he slipped, there was no way she could break his fall.
‘But you’re so small.’
Fire flared in her eyes. ‘So?’
‘It’s not a criticism. It’s just, if I fall you can’t stop me and I don’t want to take you with me down the glen.’
‘You won’t. Trust me. This is the whole point.’
What the fuck am I doing?
He took the scarf and wrapped it around his eyes, making sure he left a gap so he could see out the bottom.
She tightened it. ‘No cheating now.’ She took his hand and elbow. ‘Start slowly; I’ll tell you if the ground changes.’
Silent, he focused on his steps, on her beside him. The lack of sight ramped up his other senses. He could feel the way she was guiding him, her soft voice in his ear when a bigger obstacle presented itself. The fear of falling gradually receded as he gave himself over to her. Even the stile was no issue. They walked a little quicker. He was actually beginning to enjoy himself.
‘So, how did you manage to get time off work to come up here?’ he asked. ‘Your storyline is pretty full-on at the moment.’
‘Oh, I told them my granny was dying. The old ones are the best—’
He tripped, pushing her away as he fell to the ground, rolling over and protecting his head with his arms.
‘Jamie!’
He ripped off the scarf and stood.
