Charlie laughed. “Great.”

As we walked, he put his hands in his pockets and said, “Yeah, I don’t like Cain, but I can see that when he’s in his band, I suppose he’s, well, he’s sexy, isn’t he? He’s sort of wild.”

I said, “Like an animal in trousers.”

Charlie laughed. “Exactly. But that’s all he is. He’s not going to suddenly stop and be a laugh and nice to you. You know that, don’t you?”

We walked on for a bit, then Charlie said, “Lullah, you’re a bit wild and out of control—well, your legs are.”

I said, “I know.”

We both looked down at my legs.

If they start doing anything now, I’ll kill them.

Charlie said, “But I like them.” And he took my hand in his and put them both in his pocket. It’s really nice and warm in there. And there’s no tiny girlfriend involved.

Charlie went on. “Lullah, you’re different. You’re sort of exciting and mad at the same time. And I like it.”

We reached the sheep field and stopped to lean on the fence. Looking at the sheep chewing on stuff. Looking at us. And then they did that thing again. They started trying to get into the hedge.

Charlie said, “Why are they doing that?”

I said, “I don’t know. I sang ‘The Sound of Music’ to them and now every time they see me they get into the hedge.”

Charlie started laughing so much I thought he might not be able to stop. It made me laugh as well. And he hugged me to him.

“God, Lullah, you are just . . . well . . . gorgeous.”

I leaned to rest against the fence and swished my hair back. I looked up at the stars. Charlie spoke softly but quite intensely. “What I want you to know is . . .”

And he put both of his hands around my face and looked down at me. “Wow, Lulles, look at you, all catty in the night. Your eyes are proper green. You think that you’re vulnerable and you are, but that’s what’s so nice. No wonder Cain wants you.”

I closed my eyes. I actually felt a bit dizzy.

This was one of the dreamiest things that had ever happened to me. Then he put his hands behind my back and tried to pull me in towards him. But my hair was caught in the thorn hedge. In between laughing, Charlie managed to tug my hair free. It still felt a bit knotty.

Charlie was smiling as he caught hold of me again. He leaned down and softly kissed me on the lips.

Wow. I’m melting.

He kissed me softly again and then a bit harder. And as he was kissing me, he ran his hand through the back of my hair . . .

“Bloody hell, Lullah, there’s half a hedge in your hair. Look!” And he showed me a twig.

There was a small pause as we looked at the twig.