Free Another Summer by Sue Lilley Page B

her dress.  He sat down next to her and offered her the bottle.
    “Sorry I forgot to get glasses.”
    “I don’t mind.  I never had champagne before tonight.  It tickles.”
    She laughed as it fizzed up and dribbled down her chin.  He wiped it away, tracing his finger over her mouth, almost groaning when her eyes closed.  They were facing the sea and despite the shelter of the porch, the night breeze was salty and sharp.  He took off his jacket and draped it round her shoulders, putting his arm around her as she curled up against him.
    “Cold?”
    “Not now.”
    She giggled and he realised she was a bit drunk.  She wriggled against him, sliding her arms round his waist as he lay down with her along the swing.  She lifted her face, eager for kisses.  He was so horny he was clumsy with the tiny buttons of her dress.
    Her breasts were creamy against her tan.  They spilled into his hands and he stroked her nipples, watching her face as she purred.  Her eyes stayed closed as he found her plain cotton knickers, such a turn-on after the lace and tat of his usual partners.  He slid them off, playing with her wetness, counting to ten as his free hand fumbled with his zip.
    The swing rocked as he sucked her nipple.  She groaned, frowning, a palm clamped to her forehead.  He pulled out his fingers.
    “Evie?  Did I hurt you?”
    “Feel ill.”
    Then she threw up, violently, so it splattered onto the ground right next to Joe’s feet.  He jumped up out of the way, hitching up his pants as his erection flopped in the cool night air.
    She was sobbing, mascara streaming down her cheeks.  Joe found himself hugging her, wiping her face, realising too late he was using her knickers as a cloth.  He fastened her buttons and walked her round the garden until she’d recovered enough to face her grandmother.  And he watched her go home still a virgin.

***
    Joe folded Heather’s spare duvet and made himself a strong tea, drinking it standing by the window.  It was early, barely light.  He hadn’t slept, tortured by memories of that other summer.  The rain was still coming down in stair rods, battering the river into miniature waves, not far now from the walkway.  If it kept on like this, it would flood.
    He was itching to get out of there.  He couldn’t face having to explain himself again.  But there was no sign of Lisa stirring and going into her room to wake her was the worst idea in the world.
    “What the fuck have you been up to now, man?”
    Steve, always an early riser, looked none the worse for his weekend binge.  His former mate had turned into an all-round family man.  Joe wanted to be irritated but realised he missed him.  Missed the old days.  He felt a bit choked, wary.
    “Heather still asleep?”
    “She’s not best pleased about you bringing the girl here.  You know she thinks the world of Evie.”
    “There’s nothing going on with Lisa, whatever it looks like.  I’m just helping her out.  Give me a fucking break, mate.  I’m trying.”
    “Maybe it’s a bit late to start trying now.  Sometimes I wonder why you ever bothered to get married.”
    “What?  You must remember what it was like?” Joe snapped.  “I had women going at me from all directions.  My four sisters.  Her sister.  Her scary mother.  I didn’t even have anywhere to live, remember?”
    “She deserved better.”
    “Thanks, mate.  But I figured that out for myself.”
    Steve shrugged and poured water into his mug, sniffing the coffee as he stirred it.  He shoved four slices of bread in the toaster.  Joe hoped some would be coming his way.  He was starving.
    “Congratulations anyway,” Joe said.
    “Yeah, we’re chuffed.  Sorry about yours, though.  Is that what finally fucked things up?”
    “I don’t know.  Maybe.”
    He’d never really talked about the lost baby.  Or figured out how he felt.  It was easier to pretend it had  never happened.
    “So, Evie ran off to Cornwall?  And you’re