‘Kieron?’ He stuck his head into his brother’s bedroom. Kieron was sitting on his giant black beanbag, the sides curling around him as he watched The Big Bang Theory for the millionth time. He looked so small. Connor hesitated. ‘I… I’m going into town for pizza. Do you want…’ Kieron’s eyes lit up. Connor had been about to ask whether he could bring back some food for his brother, but instead he invited him to come along.

‘Cool. Can we have dough balls?’

‘You can have what you want.’

‘As long as Tyler doesn’t eat them all!’ Kieron pulled on his hoody.

‘I’m not going with Tyler and Ryan. I…’ Connor felt his cheeks redden. ‘I’m going with Hailey.’

‘Like a date?’ Kieron fastened his zip.

‘Yeah. Well, I dunno. Maybe.’

Kieron sat back down. ‘You can’t take me along then, idiot.’

‘But I…’

‘I’m pretty tired anyway.’ Kieron faked a yawn.

‘Liar.’

‘Takes one to know one.’ Kieron aimed his remote at his TV and switched it back on. ‘It’s totally a date. I’m not that hungry anyway.’

Connor lingered for a moment longer. ‘I won’t be long then.’ He sped down the landing, calling to Hailey it was time to leave, before Kieron changed his mind.

They walked into town. Connor deep in thought. Luigi’s had candles on the tables. Was that overkill? He wouldn’t order garlic bread in case he kissed her later. He would order garlic bread so she didn’t guess he was planning on kissing her. It wasn’t until they reached the town centre that Connor became aware of the silence between them. The chill of the wind on his arms. Shit. In his haste leaving the house he’d left his jacket at home, his wallet still in its pocket. He patted his jeans. There was a chink of coins. Not enough for a restaurant, not even McDonald’s.

‘Dunno if I fancy a pizza,’ he said. ‘How about sharing a bag of chips?’

‘I can pa…’ Hailey trailed off as she read his embarrassment. ‘Sounds great. I’ll buy the drinks.’

They sat on the wooden slatted bench in front of the church, large bag of chips hot in Connor’s hand, the smell of salt and vinegar mingling with the damp air, the fizz of the Coke as he pulled open the tab.

‘Here.’ Hailey held out one of her earbuds. ‘Don’t laugh but this is one of my favourite songs. Blame my dad.’

Connor expected something boring. Slow. Instead, he began to tap his foot; he raised his eyebrows at Hailey.

‘It’s Ray Charles. “What I’d Say”. Dad’s a blues fan.’

It surprised Connor that Mr Marshall was a music fan. That he was human.