“The green bits,” he says, sounding a little dazed.

“Yes,” I agree brightly. “They’re really nice and…”

“Green?” Ben finishes for me. He shakes his head. “You really know how to do wonders for a man’s ego,” he grumbles, reaching up to rub the back of his neck as he turns to look back at the painting.

“I hadn’t realized that nursing your ego was my job.”

Just then, I see something – the telltale iridescent cobalt shimmer of a dragonfly as it flashes in the corner of my vision. I spin around – out of habit as much as anything else – to chart its path. It lands on the edge of the fountain, its fragile wings trembling in the sunlight.

Ben is still talking. “Of course, I can’t expect you to understand the work I’m doing. You obviously haven’t got the first idea what you’re talking about.” He takes my arm and draws me closer to the painting. “Here, you see – the green bits are, actually…”

I notice a tin of paint perilously close to his foot.

“Ben,” I say, “careful of the—”

Unfortunately, he’s too distracted by his lecture to notice. It is this fact, coupled with the flight of the dragonfly, which conspires to create the perfect storm. The insect swerves suddenly, buzzing near Ben’s face. He twists and I reach out to grab him, but it is too late. The unexpected change in direction leaves Ben off-balance, his foot connecting heavily with the paint tin that I was trying to warn him about. He grasps my outstretched hand as he stumbles, and I in turn clutch at the easel.

“Oh!” I just have time to exhale and meet his surprised gaze as I am pulled forward, barrelling hard into Ben and sending us both careering towards the ground.

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

“Oof!” Ben’s exclamation of surprise is very close to my ear. This is easily explained by the fact that I now find myself lying on top of him.

I am stunned for a second, though whether it’s by the fall or by the fact that this the closest I have been to a boy – or possibly anyone – in my whole life, I’m not entirely sure. I try not to notice the feeling tightening in my stomach or the way his chest feels pressed against my own.

“Oh!” is all I manage, turning my head just as Ben lifts his. The resulting crack that takes place between our skulls leaves my ears ringing.

Ben’s head falls back again and he groans.

“For God’s sake!” He lifts a hand to his head. “Am I never to escape an encounter with you without some sort of horrific head injury?”