They headed for the exit. There was a terrace outside; people milled about, smoking and drinking. They walked along a path until they came to the lake.

It really was more of a pond.

‘Another smoke?’ he said.

‘No. I don’t actually smoke, if I’m honest. I just hold them and take a few puffs. Sort of like a French film star.’

‘Is that what they do?’

‘Don’t you watch French films?’

‘All the time. Well, when I’m not watching Terminator or Predator. Or Jean-Claude van Damme kicking ass and taking names.’

‘Do you really watch those films?’

‘Do you really watch French films?’

‘No,’ she said, and laughed. ‘I don’t.’

‘Me neither.’

They fell silent. It wasn’t awkward; it was comfortable. It was as though they’d known each other for a long time.

‘So,’ she said. ‘Your girlfriend. Lindsey. What’s she like?’

‘She’s nice.’

‘Nice? God forbid any boyfriend of mine ever describes me as nice. It’s the blandest, most meaningless adjective in the English language.’

‘Worse than OK? Or pretty good?’

‘Much worse. So, tell me. What’s she like?’

‘I dunno,’ he said. ‘To be honest, it’s not been working out that well.’

‘Oh? But she’s coming to stay?’

‘Exactly. It’s – it’s complicated.’

‘Well,’ she said. ‘This is not like me, Matt, but I’m going to say it anyway. I think I like you. But you have a girlfriend. Who it’s complicated with.’

‘I know,’ he said. ‘I like you too.’ He turned to face her. ‘Isn’t it weird? I feel like I really like you, already.’

‘Yes,’ she said. ‘It’s weird. But she’s coming here tomorrow.’ She leaned forward without warning and kissed him on the lips. Her mouth was warm and she smelled of perfume and then it was over.

‘And I don’t want to be in the middle of that,’ she said. ‘So let’s go back inside.’

6

His first thought was Why the fuck did I set an alarm? and then, when, he looked at his alarm clock, seven in the morning? Why do I need to get up at seven in the morning?

Especially after last night. They had left the bar when it closed, and then gone wandering around the grounds. Jason had a bottle of Bell’s whisky which he, Sammy and Matt passed between themselves. At some point Sammy had gone for a swim in the lake. He had left his shoes near the spot where Matt had stood with Annabelle.

The spot where she had kissed him.

The kiss. It was the reason he had been walking on a cushion of air all night. It was the reason he had worn a stupid, manic grin until collapsing into bed at four in the morning.

And it was the reason his alarm was set for seven.