Good God, do we have a breakthrough? Has he just apologised for being an arse? I’m more stunned now than when he hijacked my phone and greeted my mother like she was an old friend. He said himself he doesn’t offer apologies very often, but considering he doesn’t like apologising, he’s doing a lot of crazy stuff that warrants one.
‘Forget about it.’ I sigh, shoving my phone in my bag. I start walking down the street, towards the canal. His arm is wrapped around my shoulder within seconds. My poor mother is probably giving my Dad ear ache right at this very moment. I know I’ll be hit with twenty questions later. And as for Matt…well, I know his game. He’s trying to butter up the parents, the slimy little worm. He’ll be sorely disappointed. My parents openly dislike him now, as appose to putting up with him for my sake.
We spend the rest of the morning, and well into the afternoon, wandering around Camden. I love it here – the diversity is the best London has to offer. I could lose myself for hours in the cobbled back streets of the markets and stables. Jesse humours me while I poke about on the stalls, keeping close and constantly touching me. I’m so glad I apologised.
We walk through the food quarter, and I can’t take the heat anymore. It’s not particularly hot, but with all the tourists and crowds, I’m feeling stifled. I remove my bag from across my body, taking my cardigan off to wrap it around my waist.
‘Ava, your dress is missing a huge chunk!’
I turn around on a smile, finding him gaping at the cut out section of my dress. What’s he going to do? Undress me and cut it up?
‘No, it’s the design.’ I inform him, tying my cardigan around my waist and replacing my bag over my body. He turns me around, pulling my cardigan further up my body in an attempt to conceal the revealed flesh. ‘Will you stop?’ I laugh, wriggling free.
‘Do you do this on purpose?’ he snaps, arranging his big palm in the centre of my back.
‘If you want full length skirts and polo neck jumpers, then I suggest you find someone your own age.’ I mutter as he starts guiding me through the crowds with his hand firmly in place. I earn myself a dig in the ribs for my cheek. He’ll have me in a Burka next.
‘How old do you think I am?’ he asks incredulously.
‘Well, I don’t know, do I?’ I toss back at him. ‘Do you want to relieve me of my wondering?’
He scoffs. ‘No.’
‘No, I didn’t think so.’ I mutter. Something catches my attention. I quickly detour to a stall full of scented candles and all things hippy. I hear Jesse cursing behind me, barging through the crowds to keep up with me.
I make it to the stool, and I’m greeted by a new age type, with wild dreadlocks and plenty of piercings.
‘Hi.’ I smile, reaching up to grab the cloth bag from the shelf.
‘Afternoon,’ he says. ‘Do you want some help with that?’ He joins me by the shelf, helping me retrieve the cloth bag.
‘Thanks.’ I feel Jesse’s warm palm on me again as I open the cloth bag and pull out the contents.
‘What’s that?’ Jesse asks, looking over my shoulder.
‘These,’ I shake them out, ‘are Thai fisherman pants,’
‘I think you need a smaller size.’ He frowns, running his eyes across the huge piece of black material that I’m holding up.
‘They’re one size.’
He laughs. ‘Ava, you could get ten of you in them.’
‘You wrap them around. One size fits all.’ I’ve been meaning to replace my worn ones for months.
He moves to the side, keeping his hand exactly where it is, and looks at the pants dubiously. Admittedly, they do look like a pair of trousers for the world’s most obese man, but once you figure them out, they’re super comfy for knocking around the house on a lazy day.
‘Here, let me show you.’ The stall owner takes the trousers from my grasp and kneels in front of me.
I feel Jesse’s palm tense on my back. ‘We’ll take them.’ he spits out fast.
Oh, here comes a trample!
‘You need a demo.’ Dread’s says cheerfully, jiggling the opening of the trousers at my feet.
I lift my foot to step into the trousers, only to have myself tugged back slightly. I glance up at him, flashing a warning look. He’s being ridiculous. The man’s just being friendly.