I hope this is okay. It was this or hunting and hunting is not very romantic, not that I am assuming anything but – Ben couldn’t stop himself from talking, and Jay smothers a smile.

No, this is lovely. She stands at the edge of the blanket, hands clasped in front of her. This is a nice spot, she says, wondering how much they would be able to relax, really.

Oh, I got Jack on look out, said Ben, reading her thoughts.

Oookay, that’s not creepy.

He promised not to watch us, just the general vicinity. Said I would repay the favour for him one day, if he ever got so lucky. Jay thrills a little at the compliment. She honestly doesn’t know what she feels for Ben. She suspects that she likes that he likes her. But she is under no illusions that with her Dad, and the world as it is, she wasn’t in any position to be holding out for one of her teen novel hot guys. But she wasn’t going to bring that up in conversation with him any time soon. And it wasn’t that Ben wasn’t cute. She could see he was. But she wasn’t exactly swooning, melting, fizzing, or whatever else the hell was supposed to be happening when on a picnic date with a young man.

A drink, Madam? Ben holds out a cup to Jay. Sorry. The setting might be different but the food is the same ol’ sh…stuff we get.

Jay sips the warm cordial. She swears the stuff they have is so old it must be fermented by now.

Is this weird? Ben asks suddenly.

That was weird, Jay jokes but is immediately contrite at Ben’s crestfallen face. No – no, not at all. Should it be?

No. Maybe? I just –

You can say it – we’ve known each other a long time.

That’s exactly it, though. Is this, happening because, I dunno. Because of our age? Situation?

Yup. Definitely no fizzing now,  Jay mumbles into her cup. But somehow she feels better, more confident. Like she is freed from expectation. Perhaps. But I guess we don’t have much to lose.

Maybe one thing, Ben glances at her sideways with a cheeky smirk.

Jay covers up her blush with bluster. Ease up, Turbo! You haven’t even pulled out a chair or opened any doors for me yet.

Probably cos you’d kick my ass if I tried!

Hey – I can appreciate a gentlemanly gesture, argues Jay.

Ok, so how about this one? Ben sits himself, so he is sitting cross-legged, opposite Jay. I know it isn’t just before curfew, at your front door, but may I kiss you?

You don’t read – how do you know this stuff? Jay asks, trying to cover her surprise.

Ben shrugs. My uncle reads to me. He didn’t think I should have to learn, but he did it cos we don’t have TV anymore.

Oh. Jay thinks that was sweet and sad and weird. Why didn’t he just teach him? Maybe he didn’t know how to teach him…

Are you avoiding the question?

No! Yes.

Ummmm? Ben raises his eyebrows in question.

No I am not, yes you can. Jay puts down her cup of cordial and puts her game face on. Ben laughs softly. She really is a warrior. When he pulls her close, his hands are cool, but his lips are warm and he tastes like orange. Jay can’t help smiling against his mouth as a little tingle surfaces.