You're the One That I Want(19)

‘Really?’ asked Maddy, excited at having a little gossip, especially as it was on the topic of love. She wasn’t a girlie girl, but she was certainly a romantic. ‘Do you think they’ll get it on?’

‘Don’t see why not,’ shrugged Robert.

‘Anyone else you think might?’ Maddy asked, her eyes widening in delight.

‘Let’s see,’ Robert said, taking a quick peek around at the rest of our classmates on the bus, as though to remind himself of who else had joined us on the trip.

‘I think Aaron has a thing for Jessica.’

‘Yeah, but she wouldn’t go near him,’ Maddy protested, shaking her head. ‘Rebecca would, though.’

‘Obviously. She’d have anyone who gave her a chance. So what about you?’ Rob asked her. ‘Anyone you’ve got your eye on?’

‘Nooo …’ she blushed, visibly embarrassed by the question.

‘Well, I wonder if anyone has theirs on you …’

‘Doubt it,’ she muttered, nibbling on her lip.

‘Jackson? Williams? Tipper? Mr Brown?’ he offered, listing the surnames of some of the guys on the bus, his eyebrows rising more with each suggestion given.

Maddy screwed up her face in reply.

‘Might be your lucky trip, Maddy Hurst. I bet someone’s got their eye on you,’ he grinned.

‘Doubt it. We can’t all be as popular as you,’ she teased.

‘It’s quality that matters, not quantity, Maddy.’

‘Is that right?’

‘Yep.’

‘If your fan club could hear you now.’

‘I’m not being ungrateful!’ he protested with his eyes wide. ‘They’re all lovely, but …’

‘What?’

‘Well, I’m just waiting to be swept off my feet by the right girl.’

‘And you think you’ll find her in Paris?’

‘It’s a nice place to start looking.’

I stayed quiet. In fact, I think I may have even stopped listening (and breathing). I couldn’t look at them. We were all seated so close together, Robert was still lying across us. I felt wedged in with no escape. I panicked that the conversation was going to be turned around to me and who I fancied. I had no idea what I’d have said. All I could think about was my plan being messed up if I so much as uttered the wrong thing. I zoned in and out of their conversation, a bead of sweat appearing on my upper lip as I continued to freak out.

But the conversation just ended.

Just like that.

Robert sat upright and dived into his rucksack, chucking out a chocolate Curly Wurly bar for us each and that was it.

The only thing remaining of the exchange was Maddy’s pink-stained cheeks.

The moment had clearly been forgotten by Robert who, instead, decided to unload the rest of his bag and impress us by revealing its contents – a mountain of treats: biscuits, crisps, chocolate and sweets. A staple diet for any growing teenager.

‘No way I’m eating frog’s legs or snails!’ he declared, with a cheeky grin.

‘Yuck!’ chorused Maddy and I, pulling disgusted faces.

Yes, shamefully we all believed the stereotype that, at some point on that trip, we’d be forced to eat such dishes – something we were all terrified of. But for a few minutes, as we sat back in our seats and started to munch on the chewy caramel chocolate, our fears melted away.

Even though I was relieved that the conversation had quickly moved on, I didn’t fail to notice Maddy’s eyes twinkling as they roamed along our classmates and visibly continued to dream up different possibilities and matches in her head.

I wondered if she was thinking about her own chance of romance … and if she was thinking of me.

‘You’re so lucky that you get to share a rooooom!’ whined Maddy as she stomped her way through our hotel room door and plonked herself on my bed.

The room was pretty basic but better than we imagined. Our twin room had two single beds (made up with cream-coloured sheets and blankets rather than a comfy duvet – our first Parisian grumble) along opposite walls with a wooden bedside table placed between them. The walls were off-white and blue curtains hung at the windows, which looked out at a brick wall of the building next door rather than a breath-taking view of the city. The most wonderful thing about our room was the en-suite, which was exciting enough, but it also had a shower in it. We only had a bath at home back then. What a luxury!

‘I have to share with Kelly Sinclair – I don’t even know her! Why can’t I be in here with you?’ Maddy continued, her face all screwed up as she moaned.

‘You know why,’ shrugged Robert, a cheeky smile appearing – the one he always used before saying something naughty. ‘The teachers know you wouldn’t be able to keep your hands off me if you slept in here.’