‘Those things are a one-way ticket to an early grave, if you ask me,’ replies Ed, seemingly unconvinced.
Standing up, Kerry drops his cigarette and squashes it under his boot. He has a bad-tempered look on his face. ‘Careless drivers are just as dangerous.’ Hooking his thumbs into the belt loops of his jeans, he looks steadily at Ed. ‘Especially when pulling out on a main road from a shop car park.’
I throw Kerry a look that pleads with him not to cause trouble, before turning back to Ed. ‘Anyway, what are you doing here?’ I ask in an overly cheerful voice.
‘Thought I would surprise you.’
‘Oh, well, it’s a lovely surprise. I was just about to go home. Come on, let’s get a coffee.’ I slip the jacket from my shoulders and hand it back to Kerry. ‘Thanks for taking me out today. I really enjoyed it. I’d better…you know…go now.’
‘Sure. Have fun.’ He takes the jacket, his fingers brushing mine. Our eyes lock. I can feel the intensity between us as I’m sure he can. Kerry folds the jacket over his arm. ‘Hey, Ed, if you’re about this evening and fancy a pint, we’re down at The Smugglers.’
‘What? Oh, right. Maybe, if we have time, this is just a flying visit,’ says Ed. He pauses. ‘Although, maybe I should be keeping a closer eye on Miss Hurley here, keep her out of mischief.’
I nudge Ed towards the car. I need to get away from Kerry. The guilt is swirling around me like a storm cloud. Any longer with Kerry and I’m not sure I’ll keep it together.
‘If I don’t catch up with you later, I’ll see you at the naming ceremony next week,’ calls Kerry.
‘Yeah, sure,’ Ed responds, before muttering so only I can hear, ‘We don’t still have to go to that do we?’
Without even looking, I know Kerry is still standing there, his eyes following us as Ed takes my hand and heads for the café. He strides round to the service road at the back and I have to run a little to keep pace. He ascends the staircase, still holding onto me. We reach the top and he holds out his free hand.
‘Key.’
‘What’s going on, Ed?’
‘Key.’ He wags his fingers impatiently. I find myself taking the key to the flat from my pocket and passing it to him.
Ed beckons me into the kitchen, closing the door behind me.
‘This is what’s going on,’ he says. A smile plays at the corners of his mouth, then he slips his arms around my waist and draws me to him, kissing me. His kisses grow longer and his hands begin to roam over my body. I squirm free. ‘Stop, Ed,’ I whisper, looking furtively around in case Mum appears.
Ed smiles. ‘Don’t worry, your Mum’s at the hospital. I phoned and spoke to her earlier when I couldn’t get hold of you.’ He begins kissing me again. ‘I’ve missed you, Erin.’ He cups my breast under my t-shirt and gives a small moan. ‘Let’s go to your bedroom.’ His voice is deep and low.
For the second time, the thought of making love to Ed isn’t appealing whatsoever. In fact, even referring to it as ‘making love’ is making me recoil, it doesn’t seem right to think of it as that. It’s more like just sex. Sex that I’m not the least bit interested in, especially not in Mum and Dad’s home.
‘Oh, Ed, I can’t,’ I say, pulling his hand out from under my top.
‘Of course you can.’ He looks surprised. ‘Come on, Erin. You turned me down last time. Don’t insult me again. It can’t still be your period. We haven’t done it for ages.’
‘I didn’t know we had to keep to a schedule,’ I reply, trying to keep the irritation from my voice. His tactics are doing nothing but turning me off even more. If that’s possible. ‘What if my mum comes back?’ I add lamely.
‘She won’t be back for ages. Come on, Erin, it will be fine.’ Once again, he pulls me towards him and once again I push him away. ‘Christ Almighty, Erin! What’s wrong with you?’ His eyes narrow and his lip curls as anger sweeps his face. ‘What’s going on? Is it that hillbilly?’
‘Who?’ I do, of course, know exactly who Ed means.
‘Who?’ scoffs Ed. ‘Kerry, the hippy biker, of course.’
‘Don’t be so ridiculous, Ed. It’s nothing to do with Kerry at all. Trust you to jump to conclusions.’
‘What is it, then? You’ve got to admit, from where I’m standing it all looks a bit suspicious.’
‘I’m not in the mood, that’s all,’ I say. ‘I’m tired. I’ve been working long hours.’