Underneath

I lean back into him, let myself go. It’s only now I realise, I’ve been braced for impact since this morning. His arms lock round me, squeezing the tension from my body. An image of my dad hooked up to machines floats into my vision. I turn to wrap my arms round Harry and close my eyes tightly.

The drone of the roadworks and traffic fades away into the background until it’s just me and him. “How’s he doing?” he asks finally. “Ok,” I whisper. “I don't want to talk about it now though,” I say, my voice wavering. “Sure,” he says, kissing my forehead. “Let’s go.”

Thankfully, this time, it’s a car. The motorbike would have finished me off right now. As we get in I ask. “How did you know I’d be there?” He smiles and starts the engine. “Oh I just called the hospital and found out when visiting hours finished, which ward he was in, stuff like that. I thought I’d turn up anyway and …hope I found you.”

Happiness churns quietly within me. He did all that just to be here when I walked out. Then I remember my dad and feel selfish again. Suddenly, I see the direction we’re driving. “Oh, I have to go home tonight!” I say quickly. “My mum might ring the land line to check I’m there!” “Oh, are you under surveillance?” he asks lightly. “Yeah! and who’s fault is that I wonder?” I ask grinning at him. He shrugs cheekily, then…

…“knock knock?” he starts. I roll my eyes at him. “Seriously? right now with the knock knock jokes?” I ask, incredulous. “Hey, I’m cheering you up! knock knock?” “who’s there?” I ask. “Harry!” he says, pleased with himself. I start laughing. “You’ve already used that one on me you dipstick!” “What!?” he says horrified. “No I haven’t’!” “yes you have!” I say giggling. “Harry up and open the door!” I finish shaking my head.

He pouts and says, “no that’s not where it was going.” “So was!” I say goading him. “Not” he spits. “waaaas!” I hiss. We carry on like this till he shakes his head sadly. “Again with the immaturity girl!” He laughs. “You need to sort yourself out!”

“and you need to branch out with the knock knock jokes!” I giggle. He shakes his head again. “You should be flattered I’m using my best material on you,” he says with a leery wink.

“Just drive the car jackass!” I say slapping his leg. He salutes and says, “Right you are Penelope!” “Eh?” I ask. “Thunderbirds!” he says incredulous. “Lady Penelope and Parker! I’m Parker! your chauffeur!”

Suddenly, I notice we’re outside my house and the mood plummets. I’m almost scared to go in. Dad had the heart attack here. I exchange a look with Harry. “Can I come in?” he asks quietly…

…We hold hands as we go in. Everything normal expect for a half cooked meal, abandoned on the stove. “Let’s go to your room,” he says, leading me out the kitchen.

I’m so relived to be back in my own room. Some semblance of normality, after the insanity of the last 48 hours. Harry flops onto the bed and holds his arms out to me. I smile and snuggle into his body. “Do you think Parker and Penelope ever got together?” I ask resting my head on his chest. “If they did…then their strings must have got all tangled up!” he says laughing.

We’re giggling stupidly again, when my phone rings…

Notes