April pours two steaming mugs from the flask. ‘What are we having from the bar?’ she asks. ‘Bit of both?’

She’s already pouring indiscriminate glugs of each spirit into both cups.

‘Cheers!’ Will says as they slam them together, although it becomes more of a wheeze than a shout as the booze hits his throat. They fall about laughing as they sink them. April pours them each another, with similarly generous shots added.

‘The brownies are incredible,’ she mumbles through a stuffed mouth as they get comfortable on the blanket, sitting against the outer wall.

The display in town is well under way now and they gaze up at the night sky to the rockets that break right above them. April unfolds the rug Will brought and lays it over their legs. She undoes her long winter coat, slipping her arms out so it’s just resting on her shoulders now.

Will turns to look at her. It feels like he’s been winded.

‘Overdressed, aren’t I?’ she says.

Will shakes his head. ‘You look … incredible.’

She smiles, embarrassed, tugging a finger against the fine silver chain round her neck.

Will looks at her again, almost having to force himself to, having to remind himself that he’s allowed to, that this is legitimate. Only for a moment does he glance below her neckline, at the silver-grey minidress that seems almost shrink-wrapped on to her.

‘I feel silly,’ she says, snuggling against Will. She pulls the rug up to their shoulder level.

Will pulls her into him tighter, holding her in both arms. Is it the booze, he wonders, making everything so hot, so fuzzy? He leans his chin against her smooth neck. He feels light enough to float away as he inhales deeply through his nose. ‘You’re so perfect,’ he whispers, unsure if she can hear over the cacophony of explosions.

April turns to face him, her nose against his. He can taste her hot breath, chocolate, marshmallows. Her eyes fizz with sparks of blue and purple and orange.

If he was a man, he’d make his move. No messing. He’d take control, take what he wants. That’s what he should do. But even with barely millimetres separating them and their bodies intertwined, he can’t quite do it. His heart thumps. It scares the shit out of him, and he feels a coward for having to ask first. Lips brushing her ear, he whispers, ‘Please can I kiss you?’

He can hear the smile in her soft voice. ‘You certainly may, William Parks.’

Time is stopped. There is only them. There is no space around them. No cold night. No flashes or bangs. Only them.