“No. Maybe. I was dozing while I waited for you to call.”
“Sorry. Seren’s just gone to bed and I was wondering how I’m going to get any sleep on this crappy couch.”
“You’re probably not going to sleep much on that thing,” she teased.
“I’m tempted to sneak over to your place, but it seems a bit mean to leave Seren here alone.”
“You probably shouldn’t,” Keira agreed.
“Fancy coming over here and snuggling on the couch with me?”
“No. I’d really like to get some sleep tonight.”
He smiled into the phone. “What about if I makenotsleeping worth your while?”
“Tempting,” she said. “But still no. What’s your plan for tomorrow?”
“Packing during the day. You’ll come over and help, right? It shouldn’t take long.” He was thankful that she’d taken the day off work, otherwise he’d barely have any time with her before he left.
“Sure. It sounds thrilling.”
“There’s farewell drinks in the pub in the evening. Then I’ll ditch Seren and sleep at your place, if that’s okay with you?”
“It’s more than okay with me.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
In a surprising turn of events, Keira ended up being happy to have Seren around on Noah’s last day in Bristol. Helping him finish packing would have been spectacularly depressing if it weren’t for Seren’s constant chatter. She playfully teased Noah, telling him off for his inefficient packing, then insisting they go through his T-shirt collection to get rid of a few that were either old and tatty or that Seren and Keira insisted had to go for style reasons.
The packing didn’t take long and they went out after for a pub lunch in town, then had a walk around the centre, including some clothes shopping for Seren.
Late in the afternoon they headed back to their respective flats to get ready for the evening in the Flute and Fiddle.
“You’re going to be nice, aren’t you?” Keira asked Mel, joining her in the living room once she was ready to go.
“To the conniving wench?” Mel asked, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
“To Seren!”
“Probably notnice.I’ll be polite … maybe.”
As she dropped onto the couch, Keira whacked Mel with a cushion. “I keep telling you she’s really nice.”
“That’s what she wants you to think! You’re so naive sometimes.”
Keira checked the time. “We should go. You can meet her and then you can decide how naive I am.”
“I already know how naive you are,” Mel quipped as they made their way out.
“I’m dreading this,” Keira said, lost in her own thoughts. “I really don’t want to go to Noah’s leaving party. Boycotting it probably won’t help, though.”
“Do you know whatwillhelp?” Mel slipped her arm through Keira’s when they were out on the street, clutching her elbow. “Drinking lots of wine and putting the conniving wench firmly in her place. That can be our plan for the evening. You won’t have time to worry about Noah leaving.”
“You’re awful.” Keira rolled her eyes. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
A collection of Noah’s colleagues and friends were at the far side of the pub, congregated around a couple of tables.
“Which one is she?” Mel whispered in Keira’s ear while they hovered in the doorway.