Chapter 5

Ivy

I’ve got a problem. And it’s in the shape of a six-foot-four mechanic.

I don’t date. It’s a rule I made after Stu, not to get sucked in by a man again, not to trust or believe in anything they said. But the other night at the cinema with Dan, it felt like a date. There was the late-night movie, the sharing popcorn, the deciding to get a drink at a bar afterward, the fact he walked me home along the river in the moonlight. Maybe it’s just because I know that’s what the girls had wanted it to be. Maybe that’s it. But the constant thinking about him, that’s all me. And the fact my vibrator is getting more of a workout than ever is definitely all me. Well, all him actually, truth be told.

Him being here today, volunteering again, all faded jeans and white fitted tee, lifting paving slabs like they’re lighter than air isn’t helping my crush either. I’m not the only one looking though, he’s got eyes on him whatever he’s doing. And it’s driving me crazy. Both the fact that they’re looking, and the fact I’m jealous.

It’s when Susannah and Claire start hovering near him, though, when the flirting is obvious, that I break and head over to him myself.

“Hey babe,” he smiles, the look of relief evident as he bends to kiss my cheek, easily slipping back into our charade.

I’m momentarily lost for words but recover quickly, slinking my arm around his waist.

“Hmm, I forgot about … this,” Susannah says as she waves a hand in my general direction.

“Oh, yes, I heard all about you two. Thought Susannah was mistaken, but then I saw the two of you the other night in town,” Clipboard Claire remarks, looking me up and down.

“You did? Must have been date night,” Dan begins. “It was great, a movie, a drink, back to Ivy’s.”

The rest of the PTA mums have now joined us, and their little group of gossipers are making me feel self-conscious yet again. I have a love/hate relationship with volunteering because of them. I adore helping out the school, especially as they’re so under-funded, but this lot, they make you feel about as welcome as a zit on school photo day. Their superiority complex is like nothing I’ve known before and I try to stay away from the events and social engagements, sticking instead to the volunteering.

“I wouldn’t have put you two together,” Susannah says, her eyes once again sliding over my clothes.

“Ugh, you should see them at home, all over each other, it’s disgusting,” Fallon fake cringes as she steps into the group.

Dan looks at me, mischief in his eyes as he leans in and whispers in my ear. “Want to really make their tiny minds spin?”

I can’t help but giggle. “Always.”

“Behave yourself you,” he smiles at Fallon. “I can’t help it if your mum’s gorgeous, can I?”

She picks up on what he’s doing and the spark in her eye almost rivals the one in his. “I know, Dan, but can you at least keep it down at night?”

She wanders off then, back to Cassie and the planting they’re helping with today, a look of pure pride at her part in our shenanigans on her face.

Dan looks at the group of women in front of him. “What can I say? We just clicked, it’s like we’ve known each other forever. Being with Ivy is easy,” he says then as he faces me. “It wouldn’t be hard to fall in love with her at all. She’s super special.”

The rest of the world disappears and it’s just me and him. I know he didn’t mean it, that it’s all for show, but right now it feels like there’s something between us. And it’s terrifying. And a little exhilarating. But it’s still just a crush, nothing more.

An almighty crash pulls us from the moment. Claire runs off instantly, clipboard flapping and health and safety policies falling from her lips before she even knows what’s happened. I glance over to where the girls are, see they’re okay, and turn back to Dan.

“Well, that was fun.”

“It was.”

“I feel a bit like a naughty schoolgirl now, though, deceiving the people in charge.”

“You’ll need a uniform for that,” he grins, eyes drifting down my dress to my bare legs and back again.

Fuck, he’s flirting with me, definite flirting, and there’s no-one here now to see it as they’ve all chased after Claire like their lives depend on it. So why is he doing it?

I shouldn’t flirt back. I shouldn’t.

“That could be arranged, for the right man.”

For fuck’s sake! What is wrong with me?

“Ewww, seriously? Remind me to announce myself whenever I come anywhere near you both,” Cass laughs, sidling up to Dan.

“There’s nothing wrong with a little role-play in a relationship,” I reply, making Cass blush.

She quickly asks her dad if she can borrow some money for her and Fallon to go get some lunch, and once it’s in her hands, she races off again.

“You really are an open parent, aren’t you?”

“No point in shying away from these things, if they don’t hear the truth from us, where are they going to hear it? I’d prefer Fallon grow up hearing what I tell her rather than simply believing what she hears from kids in her class or reads online. At least I know what I tell her is the truth.”

“I never really thought of it like that. It’s a good point to be fair. And thanks for saving me earlier. Susannah was asking me out again.”

“Anytime. I presumed that’s why you put your arm around me back at the theme park. Has she been a bit persistent?”

“A bit? Try seven times now. And not just her, either. Sorry, I dragged you into it.”

“Don’t be, it’s kind of fun to see them so uncomfortable. They know you’d never go for me, so it’s hilarious making them think you have. The look on their faces was priceless.”

He’s quiet for a second before he looks around and pulls me behind the small shed we’re standing beside.

“Was Susannah watching again?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “No, I just need you to know that I would go for you. It’s not you that’s stopping me from dating you. It’s me. If I was going to date…”

He doesn’t finish his sentence, instead, he bends down and takes my mouth with his. It’s a soft, slow kiss, just a matter of seconds, but it feels so good.

“If I was going to date,” he continues. “It’d be you.”